The Nutrient Cycle - Soil: Reflections on the Basis of our Existence - page 81

Dry goods . Decomposition cannot occur if conditions become so dry that bacteria and fungi
lack water—a fact humans have exploited since ancient times to preserve food. People in this
Nepalese village hang out corn cobs to dry in the sun so they can later grind the kernels into
flour. However, it is often difficult to keep foodstuffs dry enough to prevent mould and bacteria
growth, and a large part of the global harvest is destroyed because of inadequate storage