Safe Storage Periods of High Moisture Rice Crop Using Different Types of Sacks M.A. Helmy. 1 , H. M. Sorour 2 , M. M. El-Kholy 3 and H. S. El-Mesery 4 ABSTRACT The effect of storage sacks type on the safe storage period and quality changes of high moisture rough rice were studied. The experiments were carried out at the experimental station of the rice Mechanization Center (R.M..C) during the rice harvesting season of (2003). Three different types of storage sacks. Burlap, Strip plastic and Perforated plastic under two different storage conditions (in-door and out- door) were tested and evaluated for storing grain at three different levels of moisture content 18.53, 21.32 and 26.15 % (w.b.) The results showed that, safe storage periods of high moisture rough rice were mainly affected by grain initial moisture content, storage condition and type of the material of storage sack. The perforated plastic sacks were preferred for storing the grain having initial moisture contents of about 21.32 and 26.15 % (w.b.), while the strip plastic sacks are preferred for storing the grain having 18.53 % (w.b.) initial moisture content. INTRODUCTION Rice is considered as one of the most important food crops. Although it has a good natural protection compared with other grains, and is subjected to enormous quantitative and qualitative pest attacks before and after harvesting. A major part of these losses is believed to take place in storage (Sabbah 1980; Ismail 1980). The problem of storage of rice is common among the rice growing and consuming countries, in which, waste and loss of stored rice is substantial (Miah and Douglass 1992).A real solution of this problem consists of either avoiding drying delays or extending the safe storage period of high moisture rough rice prior to final drying. (El-Sahrigi et al, 2000). Methods of holding high moisture rough rice prior to drying include natural or forced aeration of grains stored in bags or silos, airtight storage, and the use of chemical preservatives (El-Kholy, 1991). Abe et al. (1992) reported that left in bags or heaps over a short period the high moisture grains would deteriorate through fermentation. They must be dried to a safe moisture content reaching 13 to 15 % (w.b.), to suppress 1-Professor of Agric.Eng., and Head of Agric. Mech. Dept., Fac, of Agric., Kafer El-Sheikh, Tanta University, Egypt. 2- Assoeiate Prof., Agric., Mech. Dept., Faculty of Agric., Tanta university, Egypt. 3 -Senior researcher, Institute of Agric., Eng., Res., Dokki, Giza, Egypt. 4 -Agric. Eng., Institute of Agric. Eng., Res., ,Dokki, Giza, Egypt.