The objective of the present work was to evaluate the efficiency of inoculum reducing equipment (IRE) in the maintenance of quality of bean seeds during storage in hermetic structures with circulation of forced air. The inoculum's presence in the air was monitored by the exposition of Petri dishes with culture medium (saline BDA) by counting the number of colonies units of Aspergillus and Penicillium. The quality analysis of seeds were performed by the blotter test. The occurrence index was calculated for Aspergillus spp and Penicillium spp. The fungal occurrence increased during the storage period, in spite of the IRE presence. Fungal colonies were not found in the air samples collected at the box entrance, holding IRE. As the airflow used in the system was increased, the effect of the equipment has been moved to the box exit. For the conditions of this work, the IRE were not capable to control the storage fungi in the seeds, however were efficient to control the spores in the air.
reducing inoculum deveice; seeds health; Aspergillus
