ABSTRACT
Air temperature is a regulating factor in the survival, development, and reproduction of all living organisms of the storage ecosystem, including microflora, insects, and mites. This effect of air temperature is further influenced by the level of water activity (a
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or relative humidity (RH) of the atmospheric air. In considering air characteristics suitable for aeration, those properties should be selected that will prevent or suppress the development of damaging organisms. Generally storedproduct insects develop progressively fastest from 20 to 35°C (68 to 95°F) and are suppressed or arrested in their development within 5 to 7°C (9 to 13°F) below or above this range. The optimum temperatures for development of common storage fungi are within a wider range of 20 to 50°C (68 to 122°F).
