The Effect of Storage Methods and Periods on Four Local Varieties of Wheat in Basra Governorate

Wheat is a staple crop essential to the diet and economy of Basra Governorate. Ensuring its quality and viability post-harvest is crucial for food security and economic stability in the region. The study was conducted during the period from November 1st ,2021, to August 1st, 2022, at the College of Education, Qurna - University of Basra. The aim is to determine the best storage method and duration for preserving wheat seeds. Four varieties of wheat seeds (Ibaa 99, Al-Baraka, Al-Rashid, Abu Ghraib) were stored using two storage methods (piles, bags) and three time periods (3 months, 6 months, 9 months). Laboratory germination tests and chemical analysis of the seeds were also performed after each storage period. The results showed that the method of storage in bags and the time period of three months was the best in preserving the seeds, and it also resulted in the highest germination percentage and fastest germination speed. Al-Baraka cultivar showed the highest average germination rate (96.38%), while Abu Ghraib cultivar gave the lowest germination rate (92.77%). In the triple interactions (varieties x storage methods x storage periods), the four cultivars x two storage methods (bags and piles) x the storage period for three months, and the same cultivars x two storage methods x the storage period for six months gave the highest germination rate, which ranged between (100 and 95). %. While, Abu Ghraib cultivar × piles method × nine-month storage period, and Al-Rasheed cultivar × piles method × nine-month storage period gave an average germination rate of (78.33 and 76.66) %, respectively. As for Al-Baraka variety, it showed the highest average germination speed (5.91), while the Al-Rasheed variety showed the lowest germination speed (5.25). In the triple interactions, the four cultivars x the two-storage methods x the storage period for three months, and the same cultivars x the two-storage methods x six months gave the highest germination speed, which ranged between (7.96 and 4.60). While, Abu Ghraib cultivar × piles method × storage period of nine months, and Al-Rasheed cultivar × piles method × storage period of nine months gave the lowest average germination (3.73 and 4.06), respectively. The results of the chemical analysis of the stored seeds showed a decline in the quality of the seeds with the length of the storage period, as the percentages of protein, starch, and fat decreased. As the cultivar Ibaa 99 gave the highest average protein percentage (11.20) %, while the Abu Ghraib cultivar gave the lowest average protein percentage (9.84%). The Al-Baraka variety gave the highest average fat percentage (1.76) %, while the Ibaa 99 variety gave the lowest average fat percentage (1.08%). As for the starch percentage, the Abu Ghraib cultivar showed the highest average (64.46) %, while the Al Baraka variety gave the lowest average starch percentage (63.03%).