Grain Storage: IRRI Super Bag

The IRRI Super Bag is a farmer-friendly storage bag that allows cereal grains and other crops (e.g., coffee) to be safely stored for extended periods. The Super bag fits as a liner inside existing storage bags
(e.g., woven polypropylene or jute bags).

Super Bags reduce the flow of both oxygen and water between the stored grain or seed and the outside atmosphere. When properly sealed, respiration of grain and insects inside the bag reduce oxygen levels from 21% to 5%. This reduction reduces live insects to less than 1 insect/kg of grain without
using insecticides -- often within 10 days of sealing.

To access fact sheets on this aspect of postharvest management as well as other topics in rice production and manangement, go to IRRI's Rice Knowledge Bank at http://www.knowledgebank.irri.org/factsheets

Category:

Education

Tags:

• rice
• super
• bag

[marymikanel]

are the super bags specific plastic for rice seeds or are they also the one we see or buy at a regular plastic supplier? if so its just around 20 philippine pesos. are the super bags recommended only for seed growers? or as a regular farmer use when storing the rice for let say 6months or when needed for personal consumption?

[irrivideo]

The Super bags are made from a special plastic with low oxygen permeability. Bags made from regular plastic (polyethylene for example) had a much higher oxygen permeability and will not work as hermetic storage bag, simply because too much oxygen moves through plastic. In that case the oxygen consumption inside the bag by respiration of the grains and insects is not high enough to significantly reduce the oxygen contents inside the bags.

[HEEEEEEEEHAA]

how long does this keep the rice fresh

[irrivideo]

As the video states, the superbag extends the germination life of the seed from 6 to 12 months.

[KARStarla]

Why isnt an oxygen absorber used in them? Theres still plenty of oxygen between the grain isnt there?

[irrivideo]

Because it adds cost. Farmers are already complaining that the Super bags are too expensive (in July 2008 they cost around US$ 1.70 per piece). In addition we don't want the oxygen to go down to 0% because then we might kill the seeds also. A minimum of biological activity is still required. The insects and grain respiration brings down the oxygen to levels below 10% in the Super bags, below 5% in the commercial hermetic storage cubes, which is sufficiently low to control the insects.

[Jonathan71297]

@kieranmullen2

[kieranmullen2]

Where can one buy "super bags?"

[kieranmullen2]

@KARStarla You can get mylar bags 20"x30" (inches) for about $2 each.

[marymikanel]

are the super bags specific plastic for rice seeds or are they also the one we see or buy at a regular plastic supplier? if so its just around 20 philippine pesos. are the super bags recommended only for seed growers? or as a regular farmer use when storing the rice for let say 6months or when needed for personal consumption?

[marymikanel]

are the super bags specific plastic for rice seeds or are they also the one we see or buy at a regular plastic supplier? if so its just around 20 philippine pesos. are the super bags recommended only for seed growers? or as a regular farmer use when storing the rice for let say 6months or when needed for personal consumption?