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To conveniently implement the online detection of grain moisture in combined harvesters and the address the influence of the no-load measurement baseline, thereby enhancing detection accuracy and measurement continuity, this study developed a differential grain moisture detection device. For its convenient installation and integration on combined harvesters, a single-pole plate measurement element with a 1.6 mm thick epoxy resin coated with a 2-ounce copper film was designed, and a grain moisture detection device was constructed based on the STM32F103 microprocessor (STMicroelectronics International NV, Geneva, Switzerland). To enhance the device's interference resistance, a differential amplification measurement circuit integrated with high-frequency excitation was designed using a reference capacitance. To improve the resolution of the measurement circuit, Malab simulations were conducted at different excitation frequencies, ultimately selecting 30 kHz as the system's excitation signal frequency. To validate the effectiveness of the measurement circuit, validity tests were performed on the constructed sensor, which showed that the sensor's measurement voltage could effectively distinguish the moisture levels in grains, with a determination coefficient (R²) reaching 0.9978. To address the errors in moisture measurement caused by changes in grain temperature, an interaction experiment of the effect of moisture content and temperature on the measurement voltage was conducted using an integrated temperature sensor, resulting in the construction of a moisture content calculation model. Both the indoor static detection and field testing of the moisture detection device were conducted, indicating that the maximum average error in static measurements was 0.3%, with a maximum relative error of 0.47%, and the average relative error in field tests was ≤0.4%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the crucial factors in grain storage is appropriate moisture content, which plays a significant role in reducing storage losses and ensuring quality. However, currently available humidity sensors on the market fail to meet the demands of modern large-scale grain storage in China in terms of price, size, and ease of implementation. Therefore, this study aims to develop an economical, efficient, and easily deployable grain humidity sensor suitable for large-scale grain storage environments. Simultaneously, it constructs humidity calibration models applicable to three major grain crops: millet, rice, and wheat. Starting with the probe structure, this study analyzes the ideal probe structure for grain humidity sensors. Experimental validations are conducted using millet, rice, and wheat as experimental subjects to verify the accuracy of the sensor and humidity calibration models. The experimental results indicate that the optimal length of the probe under ideal conditions is 0.67 m. Humidity calibration models for millet, rice, and wheat are constructed using SVM models, with all three models achieving a correlation coefficient R2 greater than 0.9. The measured data and model-calculated data show a linear relationship, closely approximating y = x, with R2 values of all three fitted models above 0.9. In conclusion, this study provides reliable sensor technological support for humidity monitoring in large-scale grain storage and processing, with extensive applications in grain storage and grain safety management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drying is a crucial step in cocoa production, for storing and reducing grain humidity. In Colombia, particularly in the Antioquia region, solar energy is used in simple structures called marquesinas. In this work, the authors characterized the process energetically by determining its specific energy consumption (SEC, 27793.9 kJ/kg), the thermal efficiency of the system (η, 12.94%), and specific cocoa drying process cost: 2.27 USD$/kg dry,cocoa (approx. 10442COP$/kg dry,cocoa). At the end, with this information, is constructed grain mass loss curve versus time. The drying on the first day was faster than the following days. The main disadvantage of the greenhouse was that the beans gained moisture at night. For this reason, extra energy and time were necessary to remove the additional humidity acquired by the air condensing over the cocoa beans. This phenomenon decreased the thermal efficiency of the processes and increased its drying time.

The article shows the results of a multi-environment trial which was conducted in 2022 to determine the adaptability of corn hybrids and identify genotypes which are better to choose for a short growing season. Ten new early-maturing (FAO 130-150) corn hybrids were studied in 6 plant breeding organisations – ecological sites in 4 soil-climatic zones of Russia such as the Central Black Earth region, North Caucasus, Urals, West Siberia. The corn hybrids were evaluated by plasticity (bi), stability (σd2) and selection indices: the breeding value of the cultivar (Svc), the selection index (Si) and the selection value index of the cultivar (Ssvi). Nalchik (Ij = +1.51), Belgorod (Ij = +0.18) and Voronezh (Ij = +0.04) had favourable environmental conditions, unfavourable environments were in Chelyabinsk (Ij = -1.09), Omsk (Ij = -0.56) and Pyatigorsk (Ij = -0.08). Hybrid 140/26 had the highest grain yield (6.50 t/ha) on average, it exceeded the best standard by 1.15 t/ha. The hybrids 140-28 had the highest mean yield (7.66 t/ha) and 140/24 (7.65 t/ha) under favourable conditions, hybrid 100/28 was the best (5.42 t/ha) in unfavourable environments. Hybrids 100/24 (18.7 %), 140/25 (19.0 %), 100/27 (20.5 %) had the lowest grain moisture at harvest. Hybrids 140/24 (bi = 1.82, σd2 = 0.08), 140/28 (bi = 1.54, σd2 = 0.09), 100/26 (bi = 1.45, σd2 = 0.17) with high ecological plasticity and stability were recommended to grow under intensive growing conditions. It was shown that the application of the technique for evaluating corn hybrids by selection indices makes it possible to identify regionally oriented genotypes. It is better to grow hybrids 100/28 (Svic = 8.44) и 100/27 (Svic = 8.26), which had an optimal balance of environmental stability, grain yield and grain moisture at harvest, in unfavourable conditions with a short growing season.

To conveniently implement the online detection of grain moisture in combined harvesters and the address the influence of the no-load measurement baseline, thereby enhancing detection accuracy and measurement continuity, this study developed a differential grain moisture detection device. For its convenient installation and integration on combined harvesters, a single-pole plate measurement element with a 1.6 mm thick epoxy resin coated with a 2-ounce copper film was designed, and a grain moisture detection device was constructed based on the STM32F103 microprocessor (STMicroelectronics International NV, Geneva, Switzerland). To enhance the device’s interference resistance, a differential amplification measurement circuit integrated with high-frequency excitation was designed using a reference capacitance. To improve the resolution of the measurement circuit, Malab simulations were conducted at different excitation frequencies, ultimately selecting 30 kHz as the system’s excitation signal frequency. To validate the effectiveness of the measurement circuit, validity tests were performed on the constructed sensor, which showed that the sensor’s measurement voltage could effectively distinguish the moisture levels in grains, with a determination coefficient (R²) reaching 0.9978. To address the errors in moisture measurement caused by changes in grain temperature, an interaction experiment of the effect of moisture content and temperature on the measurement voltage was conducted using an integrated temperature sensor, resulting in the construction of a moisture content calculation model. Both the indoor static detection and field testing of the moisture detection device were conducted, indicating that the maximum average error in static measurements was 0.3%, with a maximum relative error of 0.47%, and the average relative error in field tests was ≤0.4%.

Objective: To reduce grain mildew caused by high water content in storage. Methods: The function model of water content and detection frequency is determined by data measurement in multiple sites. A real-time monitoring system of grain moisture value in the dryer was designed based on STM32 microcontroller. Through the design of parallel plate sensor to detect the change value of capacitance of grain with different moisture content, through the hardware circuit to convert the capacitance value into frequency value. Through the single-chip microcomputer calculation can get the real-time moisture content of grain inside the dryer, and then through RS485 communication transmission to the display screen real-time display. Results: This on-line monitoring error of the set is within 0.5%, and the delay time of the real-time moisture value displayed by the upper computer is less than 0.1 s, which fully meets the requirements of engineering application. Conclusion: Through the field installation test, the system is efficient and will not cause a secondary injury to the grain.

One of the crucial factors in grain storage is appropriate moisture content, which plays a significant role in reducing storage losses and ensuring quality. However, currently available humidity sensors on the market fail to meet the demands of modern large-scale grain storage in China in terms of price, size, and ease of implementation. Therefore, this study aims to develop an economical, efficient, and easily deployable grain humidity sensor suitable for large-scale grain storage environments. Simultaneously, it constructs humidity calibration models applicable to three major grain crops: millet, rice, and wheat. Starting with the probe structure, this study analyzes the ideal probe structure for grain humidity sensors. Experimental validations are conducted using millet, rice, and wheat as experimental subjects to verify the accuracy of the sensor and humidity calibration models. The experimental results indicate that the optimal length of the probe under ideal conditions is 0.67 m. Humidity calibration models for millet, rice, and wheat are constructed using SVM models, with all three models achieving a correlation coefficient R2 greater than 0.9. The measured data and model-calculated data show a linear relationship, closely approximating y = x, with R2 values of all three fitted models above 0.9. In conclusion, this study provides reliable sensor technological support for humidity monitoring in large-scale grain storage and processing, with extensive applications in grain storage and grain safety management.

Copyright of Journal of Innovative Engineering / Revista de Ingenieria Innovativa is the property of ECORFAN-Mexico S.C. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Improving grain yield (GY) and reducing grain moisture (GM) are urgent demands for directly harvesting kernels with combine harvesters in maize production. GY and GM are both related to leaf, stem and root characteristics, but the relationships are not fully understood. To better understand these relationships, we conducted a field trial involving 12 maize hybrids with two sowing dates in 2017 and 10 maize hybrids with one sowing date in 2019. GY ranged from 6.5–14.6 t ha–1 in early-sown varieties and 9.3–12.7 t ha–1 in late-sown varieties in 2017, and 5.9–7.4 t ha–1 in 2019, respectively, with corresponding GM variations of 29.8–34.9%, 29.4–34.5% and 31.9–37.1% at harvest. A large maximum leaf area contributed to a high yield, a fast leaf senescence rate accelerated grain dehydration in the late growth period, and a compact root structure resulted in both of high-yield and fast-grain dehydration. A strong stem improved lodging resistance but maintained a high GM at harvest, and it is challenging to combine high GY and low GM in maize. High GY co-existed with low GM in some varieties that should have a rapid grain filling, a relatively long grain-filling duration, and a rapid grain dehydration in the late growth period. A high daily temperature in the late growth period also improved GY and reduced GM by influencing grain filling and dehydration, suggesting that adjusting the sowing date should be an alternative strategy to combine high GY and low GM in kernel harvesting.

Copyright of Food & Machinery is the property of Food & Machinery Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Przegląd Elektrotechniczny is the property of Przeglad Elektrotechniczny and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Mechanized grain harvest of maize becomes increasingly important with growing land plot size in Northeast China. Grain moisture is an important factor affecting the performance of mechanized grain harvest. However, it remains unclear what influences grain dehydration rate. In this study, maize grain dehydrating process was investigated in a two-year field experiment with five hybrids under two planting densities in 2017 and 2018. It was found that damaged-grain ratio was the main factor affecting mechanized harvest quality, and this ratio was positively correlated with grain moisture content at harvest (R2=0.6372, P

The pod drop and seed losses in rapeseed is one of the most important problems in the cultivation of this plant and determining the most appropriate harvesting time can greatly prevent this problem and subsequently reduce the grain yield reduction. Thus, the present research was conducted as a split-plot in time in the form of a randomized complete block design with three replications during the crop year of 2019-2020 in the Research Station of the Rice Research Institute of Iran in Rasht. The main factor was rapeseed genotypes at 22 levels and the subfactor was harvesting time at three levels (including the amount of moisture between 30-40, 20-30, and 10-20% in the third grade of the lower stage of the original stem). The results of analysis of variance showed that in addition to the significance of yield-related traits in rapeseed lines, the interaction of lines in time was also significant, which shows the effect of harvesting time on rapeseed lines is different. In most of the lines, the highest and lowest grain yields were related to the first and second harvesting time, respectively. The highest grain yield was found for SRL-98-17 with a mean of 3662 kg ha-1. Number of siliques per line due to loss of pods decreased from the first to the third harvesting time. However, SRL98-9, SR-98-19, SRL-98-1 and SRL-98-11 had the lowest loss of grains. According to these results, it seems that the first harvesting time results in the highest grain yield, hastens the harvest of rapeseed by one week, and potentiates it as a suitable choice for inclusion in the rotation after a rice crop.

Glufosinate and diquat may have different levels of efficacy in the pre-harvest desiccation of soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) plants, and may affect quality of seeds differently, depending on the phenological stage at which they are applied. The objective of this study was to evaluate desiccation with glufosinate and diquat at the phenological stages R6, R7.1, R7.2, and R7.3, and to examine their effects on yield and quality of soybean seeds. The experiment was conducted at two sites in the state of Paraná (PR), Brazil, in the 2020-2021 crop season. A randomized block design was used, treatment groups consisted of application of glufosinate or diquat at R6, R7.1, R7.2, and R7.3, and the control group (without desiccant application). Defoliation, maturity, moisture, yield, and seed quality (vigor and germination) were evaluated. Glufosinate and diquat were effective at desiccation and had a significant effect on defoliation and maturity, with final values ≥ 98.8% and ≥ 99.3% respectively. Treatments can accelerate harvest maturity by approximately 3 d and earlier applications do not necessarily favor this acceleration, most notably in trial 1. However, desiccation at earlier stages reduced seed yield and negatively affected seed quality, with values of only 61.3% and 71.8% of vigor and germination in some situations. The application of glufosinate or diquat was effective in the pre-harvest desiccation of soybean plants, with no differences between the assessed herbicides or phenological stages. The application of glufosinate starting at R7.2 or diquat at R7.3 is ideal to avoid deleterious effects on seed yield. Applications at earlier stages may lead to losses of more than 30% seed yield. The use of diquat or glufosinate before R7.2 may reduce the quality of seeds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of clearance in husking machine (Satake BK40 type) on paddy cultivar of Amber 31 (AM31) were tested during husking at three clearance of 0.5, 0.7 and 0.9 mm and two grains moisture 9%-11% and 11%-13%. The experiments were carried out in a factorial experiment under complete randomized design with three replications. The results showed that the 9%-11% grain moisture was significantly better than the 11%-13% grain moisture in all studied conditions. The results showed a machine productivity of 1.707 and 1.441 T h-1, power consumption of 13.585 and 14.800 kW, husking efficiency of 83.478% and 81.979%, milling recovery of 69.848% and 68.794%, head paddy of 68.08% and 66.221%, and broken paddy of 6.226% and 7.471%, for 9%-11% and 11%-13%, respectively. The clearance of 0.9 mm was significantly superior to the levels of 0.7 and 0.5 mm in all studied conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article is devoted to the control of the level of grain moisture during storage, transportation and processing. The topicality is due to the need for rapid control of humidity, as one of the ways to improve quality, productivity and reduce costs, including energy, in the preparation, production, processing, transportation and storage of grain and processed products – cereals, feed, pasta, bread. The paper considers the risks of grain moisture on its quality, the known methods of measuring grain moisture. It describes their advantages and disadvantages. It is shown that by improving the known methods it is possible to increase the measurement of accuracy and sensitivity. The dependence of humid air pressure on grain moisture is investigated in the work. It is shown that the pressure of moist air depends only on the amount of water per unit volume of grain and does not depend on the specific gravity of the grain. Empirical formulas and methods of theoretical calculation of grain moisture on the change of air pressure in the chamber are given. The results of experimental measurements are presented, which confirm the validity of theoretical calculations. Based on the obtained theoretical results, an engineering method for calculating the mass of water containing a grain sample has been developed. It can be used to design real devices. A model structure for estimating the influence of the scatter of the determining parameters on the error of water mass measurement is proposed and the simulation results obtained using the Micro-Cap medium are presented. The tasks are set for further research.

The pod drop and seed losses in rapeseed is one of the most important problems in the cultivation of this plant and determining the most appropriate harvesting time can greatly prevent this problem and subsequently reduce the grain yield reduction. Thus, the present research was conducted as a split-plot in time in the form of a randomized complete block design with three replications during the crop year of 2019-2020 in the Research Station of the Rice Research Institute of Iran in Rasht. The main factor was rapeseed genotypes at 22 levels and the subfactor was harvesting time at three levels (including the amount of moisture between 30-40, 20-30, and 10-20% in the third grade of the lower stage of the original stem). The results of analysis of variance showed that in addition to the significance of yield-related traits in rapeseed lines, the interaction of lines in time was also significant, which shows the effect of harvesting time on rapeseed lines is different. In most of the lines, the highest and lowest grain yields were related to the first and second harvesting time, respectively. The highest grain yield was found for SRL-98-17 with a mean of 3662 kg ha-1. Number of siliques per line due to loss of pods decreased from the first to the third harvesting time. However, SRL98-9, SR-98-19, SRL-98-1 and SRL-98-11 had the lowest loss of grains. According to these results, it seems that the first harvesting time results in the highest grain yield, hastens the harvest of rapeseed by one week, and potentiates it as a suitable choice for inclusion in the rotation after a rice crop. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista de la Universidad del Valle de Guatemala is the property of Universidad del Valle de Guatemala and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Revista de la Universidad del Valle de Guatemala is the property of Universidad del Valle de Guatemala and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

We researched the effect of grain moisture contents on the milling characteristics in Tartary buckwheat cultivar ‘Manten-Kirari’. Grain moisture contents were adjusted from 6 to 22% by adding water. These grains were milled using a laboratory roller mill. Crushed grains were divided into flour, bran and residue by sieving. The rutin contents of flours and brans ranged from 360 to 2,060 mg/100 gDW and from 3,032 to 8,649 mg/100 gDW, respectively. When grain moisture contents were low, flour and bran milling percentages were high. The rutin contents of flours also increased with the bran milling percentage. On the other hand, the rutin contents of bran attained maximum values when grain moisture contents were from 10 to 16%. This indicated that the rutin contents of flour and bran can be controlled by adjusting the grain moisture content before roll milling. Furthermore, this research determined that Tartary buckwheat bran contains extremely high rutin content and thus appears to be a good rutin resource.

Abstract. Hybrid maize breeding requires constant renewal of the source material. In this regard, broadening of genetic variation in parental lines is one of the primary tasks in heterotic hybrid breeding programs. The use of reverse diploid inbred lines derived from a tetraploid population is considered as an innovative approach to achieve this goal.Results. The investigated material comprised 106 reverse diploid (rediploid) inbred lines originating from diploid plants selected in segregating selfed progenies of triploid populations and consequently subjected to inbreeding, while triploid populations resulted from a cross between plants of a tetraploid population with a broad genetic basis and a diploid line. The use of a system of crosses with 37 sterile testers belonging to different FAO maize maturity groups allowed the evaluation of the rediploid lines’ combining ability and the response to M and C types of CMS. Field tests were conducted in 2019 in the steppe zone of Kabardino-Balkaria. Forty-six lines (43.3%) with the combining ability ranging from ultra-high to good, and 78 lines (73.6%) maintaining the CMS character were identified. Among them, 59 lines (55.7%) were maintainers for the M type CMS, 15 lines (14.1%) for C type CMS, and 4 lines maintained sterility for both CMS types. Sixteen lines (15.1%) restored pollen fertility of the forms with M type CMS, 11 lines (10.4%) were restorers for the C-type and one line turned out to be a universal restorer for both CMS types. Ranking by the “sprout - flowering of ears” interstage period duration showed that most of the lines (66.0%) with the ability to maintain sterility or restore male fertility of M and C CMS types, as well as with the combining ability from ultrahigh to good (32.6%) fell into the group with the flowering period duration of 51-55 days. According to the results of the harvested grain moisture assessment, the hybrids ♀(РГС246с × OL213) × ♂92с5986·2·3, ♀714М × ♂1/67-1 and ♀714М × ♂92н136-4, with the values of 13, 6%, 13.9%, 14.0%, respectively, were identified. The hybrids ♀714М × ♂1/67- 1 and ♀(OL563С × KL1392) × ♂92с0653 2 1 2 were characterized by the maximum value of the selection index, i.e. 5.03 and 5.13, respectively.Conclusions. The results of the studies showed the breeding value of rediploid lines as an initial material for hybrid maize breeding.

Summary: Low grain moisture at harvest is crucial for safe production, transport and storage, but the genetic architecture of this trait in maize (Zea mays) remains elusive. Here, we measured the dynamic changes in grain moisture content in an association‐mapping panel of 513 diverse maize inbred lines at five successive stages across five geographical environments. Genome‐wide association study (GWAS) revealed 71 quantitative trait loci (QTLs) that influence grain moisture in maize. Epistatic effects play vital roles in the variability in moisture levels, even outperforming main‐effect QTLs during the early dry‐down stages. Distinct QTL–environment interactions influence the spatio‐temporal variability of maize grain moisture, which is primarily triggered at specific times. By combining genetic population analysis, transcriptomic profiling and gene editing, we identified GRMZM5G805627 and GRMZM2G137211 as candidate genes underlying major QTLs for grain moisture in maize. Our results provide insights into the genetic architecture of dynamic changes in grain moisture, which should facilitate maize breeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to optimize the maize productivity and quality, various aspects of production chains should be considered in an integrated way, including crucial steps to improve and conserve the maize crop. The lack of sufficient quantity of quality maize grains was sheller methods, clearances between cylinder, and maize grains moisture content is a major bottleneck to improve maize productivity and quality in Factory. This study is aimed to identify the effect of local thresher machine on maize cultivar Rabie based on some technical indicators, under two clearance of threshing cylinders (0.7 and 0.9mm) and three maize grain moisture content. The experiments were conducted in a factorial experiment under complete randomized design with three replications. The 0.9mm clearance was significantly better than 0.7mm clearance while the maize grains moisture content at range of 13%-15% was significantly superior to other ranges of 15%-17% and17%-19% in all studied parameters. For local THM the machine productivity, power consumption, threshing efficiency, grains damage, broken corn, grain cleaning, were 1.251 th-1, 9.358 kW, 88.717; 1.529; 3.272; and 1.318 percent respectively. The interaction among maize grains moisture content of 13%-15% and the clearance between cylinder 0.9mm gave the best result in all studied parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grain dehydration is a crucial aspect of the mechanized harvesting of maize. The high moisture of grains during harvest leads to a high percentage of damaged and mildew grains, and therefore, limiting the application of mechanized harvesting. Exploration of the moisture changes with the appropriate method is important for the development of inbred lines and hybrids with low grain moisture during harvesting. In this study, a popular planted hybrid Zhengdan958 (ZD958), and its parental inbred lines, Zheng58 (Z58) and Chang7-2 (C7-2), were used as models to test the live maize kernel moisture quantification and visualization using the Low-Field Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (LF-NMR). Self-pollination ears of ZD958, Z58, and C7-2 were harvested at 52 days after pollination, and then experienced three treatments, 1) naturally dehydration (D) under 26 ℃ environments for 5 days, samples were analyzed every 24 hours with LF-NMR; 2) hydration (H), grains from step1 were soaked in water at 26 ℃ for 9 hours, these samples were analyzed every 90 minutes with LF-NMR; 3) re-dehydration (T), repeat step 1 with grains from step 2, samples were analyzed every 24 hours with LF-NMR. For each analysis, 5 grains were used for moisture quantification with LF-NMR and 3 grains were used for grain moisture visualization with the MRI. Results showed that dehydration rate was negatively correlated with the grain moisture in both natural dehydration and re-dehydration among three materials. Under the same conditions, moisture reduction in T01-T02 was 25.13-27.69 percentage points, which was much higher than that of 20.93-21.94 percentage points, in D01-D02. Besides, significant differences were found in water loss among materials, water loss of C7-2 was significantly higher than that of Z58 and ZD958 in D01-D03 and T01-T03, while water loss of C7-2 was significantly lower than that of Z58 and ZD958 in D04-D06 and T04-T06. The visualization result showed a stronger moisture signal in the inner layer of endosperm than that in the outer layer of endosperm. In both D and T treatment, grain dehydration started from outside (endosperm) to inside (embryo). During H treatment, the moisture of the seed coat and navel increased rapidly, indicating that both seed coat and navel were important channels for water absorption. Because of the existence of grain oil which was mainly distributed in embryos and could be detected by MRI, embryos showed the strongest signals at all stages. Besides, the phase status of grain water was analyzed using transverse relaxation time (T2) of signal amplitude. Data showed that the T2 value of signal peaks decreased along with the water loss in either D treatment (D01-D06) or T treatment (T01-T06). By contrast, as water absorption went on in H treatment, the T2 value of signal peaks increased, demonstrating that phase status changes gradually along with both water absorption and dehydration treatment. Grains with low water content showed T2 value between 0.000 1-0.001 s, which meant tightly banding between water and other molecules, whole grains with high water content showed T2 value between 0.001-0.01 s (D01, T01), signifying loose banding or free from banding with other molecules. Overall, the results revealed that LF-NMR could be used to observe the continuous changes of maize grain moisture directly and accurately from three different perspectives, water content, visualization, and phase status. LF-NMR would have a high potential to be used as a powerful tool to evaluate water content and realize accurate single-kernel selection in maize breeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We researched the effect of grain moisture contents on the milling characteristics in Tartary buckwheat cultivar 'Manten-Kirari'. Grain moisture contents were adjusted from 6 to 22% by adding water. These grains were milled using a laboratory roller mill. Crushed grains were divided into flour, bran and residue by sieving. The rutin contents of flours and brans ranged from 360 to 2,060 mg/100 gDW and from 3,032 to 8,649 mg/100 gDW, respectively. When grain moisture contents were low, flour and bran milling percentages were high. The rutin contents of flours also increased with the bran milling percentage. On the other hand, the rutin contents of bran attained maximum values when grain moisture contents were from 10 to 16%. This indicated that the rutin contents of flour and bran can be controlled by adjusting the grain moisture content before roll milling. Furthermore, this research determined that Tartary buckwheat bran contains extremely high rutin content and thus appears to be a good rutin resource. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Modeling stored-grain ecosystem has become an indispensable part of the grain sector when developing the best management strategy for abating spoilage risks associated with grain temperature and moisture content. Thus, a suitable model to predict the heat, mass and momentum transfer within the grain bulk is the simple and cost-effective solution to predict the variations in these physical parameters to assess the spoilage risk. This review aims at providing information regarding relevant numerical methods (finite difference, finite element, finite volume and discrete element) used for developing the proposed model and discusses the necessary future research that is still in need to make the model a comprehensive decision support tool for the growers and grain handlers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Plant Science is the property of Canadian Science Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

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Coffee farming is one of the most important economic pillars of the Colombian countryside, due to the high quality of the pergamino coffee. To ensure their organoleptic properties are preserved, it is important that the moisture content within the dry coffee bean remains around 11%, otherwise its quality deteriorates; this is the reason why moisture control is essential during the marketing process and storage of this product. However, in most cases, determination of this parameter is subjective in shopping sites, which may cause damage in coffee grains and unfair transactions within the market chain. In this paper, application of dynamic speckle appears as a novel alternative to develop an objective methodology for determining, within 60 seconds, the moisture content of dry coffee beans in purchase places. Results of the proposed methodology in comparison with the gravimet method show the proposed methodology as an alternative for the development of a moisture measurement system.

In recent years, more and more attention has been paid to film wheat, which is characterized by an increased nutrient content compared to traditional types of wheat and is a promising raw material for expanding the range of healthy nutrition products. Spelt belongs to such wheat, three varieties of which are now grown in Ukraine. Post-harvest grain processing, transportation and storage in various types of granaries are based on its physical and mechanical properties and their accounting will allow enterprises to reduce grain losses during processing and maintain its quality. The article is devoted to the study of the physical and mechanical properties of film wheat grain - spelt. The subject of research was filmy (with flower films) and the collapsed (with the removed films) spelt grain of varie ties Zorya Ukrainy variety of 2017 harvest. Depending on the moisture content of filmy and collapsed spelt, a number of physical and mechanical properties of grain is determined - nature, mass and true volume of 1000 grains, angles of repose and external friction coefficients at rest (for steel, rubber, plastic) and in motion. The regularities of changes in the studied properties of spelt from grain moisture are established, and empirical equations describing these changes are proposed. The results of experimental studies have shown that the nature of filmy spelt grain, depending on the moisture content, in the range of 11.6...23.7 % is 364...342 g/l, respectively, which is almost 2 times less than collapsed grain, at a moisture content of 12.3...23.5 %, it has a nature of 706...644 g/l, respectively. With increasing grain moisture, nature and the ratio between its values for both forms of spelt decrease. The mass of 1000 grains of the filmy spelt grain is in the range of 102...117 g, and in the collapsed grain it is 41,5...57,5 g, that is, it decreases 2.0...2.5 times in accordance with the above ranges moisture changes in filmy and collapsed grain. The true volume of 1000 grains of both forms of spelled changes proportionally as many times, which in the same humidity ranges is 104...150 cm3 and 32...44 cm3, respectively. Comparative differences in the studied properties of spelt are determined by the presence of flower films in filmy grain. The angle of repose of the spelt, which characterizes its flowability, is 29...40° for the filmy grain within the studied moisture, and for the collapsed spelt it is at 28…39°. In the studied range of moisture content, the coefficients of external friction of rest of filmy and collapsed spelt on the surfaces of various materials (steel, rubber, plastic), as well as the coefficients of external friction in motion, were also determined. It was shown, that the angles of repose and the friction coefficients of both forms of spelt increase with increasing grain moisture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Henan University of Technology Natural Science Edition is the property of Henan University of Technology Journal Editorial Department and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Graphical abstract Highlights • Seed growth dynamics were followed across floral positions, cultivars and crop population plant densities. • Bi-linear functions provided good fits to seed dry weight/water concentration relationships. • Physiological maturity (PM) was reached at 45–46% seed water concentration (SWC). • The water concentration of whole pod was 70% at PM but decreased drastically before pod shattering. • At crop level, 46% SWC corresponded to 90% of the maximum simulated seed yield. Abstract Determining the optimum time for rapeseed harvest is challenging due to non-uniform seed maturity resulting from asynchronous flowering and pod dehiscence from sequential racemes. Identifying physiological maturity (PM) by visual methods is subjective and results can be affected by environmental conditions. PM can be determined using a quantitative model based on seed water concentration (SWC) as previously demonstrated for several other crops, although not yet developed for rapeseed crop. The objective of this work was to study the relationship between the dynamics of seed dry weight and water concentration in seven spring rapeseed cultivars grown at two contrasting densities (15 and 60 pl m−2) in three experiments at one location in Buenos Aires (Argentina). We evaluated the timing of PM on the basis of SWC in seeds located in the main raceme, second and fourth floral branches. The evolution of seed fresh and dry weight was followed bi-weekly from the beginning of flowering to harvest maturity. In Exp. 1, the grain-filling duration ranged from 39 to 57 days (700–1100 °C d) and the growth of seeds from floral branches finished 3–8 days later than those from the main raceme. Seed dry weight at PM ranged from 2.4 to 2.7 and from 3.0 to 3.2 mg for Lynx and Monty cultivars, respectively, without significant effects of floral position or plant density. Bi-linear functions were used to fit the relationship between relative seed dry weight (RSDW) and SWC relationships (R2 from 0.85 to 0.95). Across cultivars and floral positions, PM was attained when seeds exhibited 46.3 ± 0.7% SWC (R2 = 0.90, P < 0.001, n = 441). This model was validated against independent data from Exps. 2 and 3, successfully simulating the dynamics of relative seed dry weight based on fruit WC (r = 0.88; P < 0.001, n = 275). At PM, the water content (WC) of whole pod was about 70% and the pod shattering began after this point, when the WC of the pod dropped drastically. We conclude that under non-stressful conditions, PM in rapeseed occurs at 46% SWC. Swathing can be conducted from SWC < 46%, instead of the currently recommended 35%, advancing the harvest and leaving the land available for sowing the next crop, which would represent an advantage for double cropping in intensified agricultural systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Agrotecnologia is the property of Universidade Estadual de Goias and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Acta Agronomica Sinica is the property of Crop Science Society of China and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

To define a procedure to evaluate amaranth grain expansion, three experiments were established. The first, to optimize the method of determination of humidity in grain in drying oven. The second to define the feasibility of modifying the moisture content to 12, 14 and 16%, due to the effect of water quantity and conditioning time. The third was to determine the volume of grain expansion by sample size (15 and 30 g) and humidity (10, 12, 14 and 16%). The treatment that worked best for the determination of grain moisture was 2 g of sample, 2 h of drying at 130 °C. It is possible to modify and adjust the grain moisture content by adding water. No effect on the moisture content was observed for the different conditioning times. The moisture content with which the highest trapping volume was obtained was 12 and 14%. There were no significant differences in the volume of grain trapping in samples of 15 and 30 g. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mechanical properties of grain are influenced by various factors including soil nutrients and grain moisture content at harvest time. In order to reduce mechanical losses, the design of different processing operations should be performed based on the knowledge of factors influencing the mechanical properties. The effects of urea fertilization methods and grain moisture content at harvest time on mechanical properties of dried corn were investigated in a field experiment as a strip split plot with four replications based on randomized complete block design at Khorram Abad Agricultural Research Station in 2010. The investigated factors were urea fertilization methods (urea foliar application and urea side-dress application), grain moisture content at harvest time (20, 30 and 40%) and four corn hybrids (NS 640, Konsur 580, Jeta 600 and control SC 704). The moisture content of dried grains due to different absorption property of the treatments was about 7±1 percent. The results showed that the interaction of fertilization methods and hybrid was significant (P < 0.05) for grain toughness. However, the grain moisture content at harvest time had significant effect on all studied traits except on grain firmness. The highest maximum fracture force, displacement at the maximum rupture force, energy consumption at maximum force point, specific deformation, rupture power and toughness were obtained at 20% grain’s moisture content Also, the results showed that NS hybrid had the highest maximum rupture force (219 N), displacement at the maximum fracture force (0.37 mm), energy consumption at maximum force (42.51 mj), rupture power (3.89 . 10-3W) and toughness (0.33 mj mm-3).