About winter storage method of konjac

Konjac is a high-yield crop that offers quick returns for farmers. However, due to its sensitivity to frost, proper storage and preservation are essential for maintaining the quality of the tubers. The following are effective techniques for storing konjac after harvest: First, timely excavation is crucial. The best time to dig up konjac is about one month after the above-ground shoots have died back. At this stage, the underground bulbs have stopped growing, and the rhizomes (whips) are fully separated from the bulbs. The ideal temperature for harvesting is when the average daily and nighttime temperatures drop below 12°C. Choose a dry, sunny day for excavation to prevent moisture damage. During the process, handle the bulbs carefully—avoid damaging the skin or causing mechanical injury. Also, be sure to protect the top buds, as they are vital for future planting. Second, selecting healthy seeds is essential. When choosing konjac for planting, remove any damaged, diseased, or scarred tubers. Only select those with a yellow skin, smooth surface, flat base, small nest, and a uniform shape—either axillary or bread-like. The size should be between 250 grams and 500 grams, with smaller ones (around 250 grams) suitable for propagation purposes. Third, there are several effective preservation methods. One is winter in situ conservation, where the bulbs are left in the ground over winter and harvested the next year. After the plants naturally die back, cover the area with straw, thatched grass, or leaves before the first frost. The covering should be at least 15 cm thick to provide insulation. Drainage ditches should also be dug around the field to prevent waterlogging, which can lead to rot. This method is simple, cost-effective, and reduces the risk of disease. Another method is earth pit storage. Choose a dry, leeward, and sunny location to dig a pit 1 to 1.5 meters deep. Line the bottom with 5–10 cm of dry straw, then place the konjac tubers in layers (up to four layers). Cover them with more straw and soil, ensuring the top layer is 15–20 cm thick. Dig a trench around the pit to prevent water from entering. Cave storage is another option, especially in mountainous regions. Select caves that are at least 5 meters deep. Place dry straw at the bottom, then stack the tubers in 3–4 layers, covering them with 20 cm of straw. Seal the cave during severe winters to maintain stable conditions. Lastly, indoor sand-buried storage works well in dry, ventilated areas. Lay 10–12 cm of river sand on the floor, then alternate layers of sand and konjac tubers, stacking up to five layers. Cover the top with dry straw or sacks to keep it protected and dry. These methods ensure that konjac remains viable for planting and maintains its quality through the off-season. Choosing the right technique depends on local climate, available resources, and long-term farming goals.

Starch-based Plastics

Thermoplastic starch is also called "non-structured starch", which can make the starch structure disordered and thermoplastic by certain methods. Starch molecules for polysaccharides molecular structure, containing a large number of hydroxyl, due to its intermolecular and intramolecular hydrogen bond action, so that its melting temperature is higher, and its decomposition temperature is lower than its melting temperature, so in the heat processing, starch molecules did not melt and first decomposed. The traditional mechanical processing method of plastic is mostly heat processing, so to make starch - based whole starch plastic needs to make natural starch thermoplastic. This thermoplasticity can be achieved by changing the crystalline structure inside starch molecules. Destroy intramolecular and intermolecular hydrogen bonds, disrupt the double helix crystal structure of starch molecules, which will reduce the melting temperature of starch and make it thermoplastic.

Starch-Based Plastics,Cellulose-Based Plastics,Protein-Based Plastics,Some Aliphatic Polyesters

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