In-bin drying provides an alternative to traditional drying in terms of achieving good grain quality and saving fossil fuel. Some mathematical models were developed which could be used to simulate the in-bin drying process. To test the models’ ability for application, a partial differential equation model (PDE model) and a logarithmic model (Log model) were applied to simulate the heat and mass...

For many years, on-farm yield evaluations of corn (Zea mays L.) hybrids were done with weigh wagons, handheld moisture testers, and measuring wheels. Today, most combines have continuous flow yield and moisture sensors. Published research results comparing the accuracy of combine-mounted sensor systems with that of weigh wagons are limited for on-farm corn hybrid evaluation. This study examined...

The fraction of radon atoms generated from radium decay that are released from into a rock or soil pore space is defined as the radon emanation coefficient, or emanating power, of the material. The emanation coefficient of rocks and soils typically varies between about 0.05 and 0.70, and an average value for soils is probably between 0.20 and 0.30. Geologic, pedologic, and climatic factors, inc...

Moisture is one of the most important factors affecting grain quality in storage. The grain must be dried as soon as possible after harvesting to lower moisture to a standard level. It is difficult to obtain satisfactory measurement effect on precision in capacitive grain’s moisture measurement due to many influencing factors, such as temperature, species and weight. The data confusion method o...

Fissuring caused by rapid moisture adsorption generates appreciable amounts of broken kernels on subsequent milling, thereby reducing the economic value of rice. This study investigated how rapid moisture adsorption affects the extent of kernel fissuring in rice lots, as well as the physical and functional characteristics of broken kernels that result from milling such lots. Pure-line, long-gra...

Proven techniques of soil moisture conservation were imposed in two consecutive seasons (2002 and 2003) under a rainfed alfisol ecosystem in order to investigate the physiological response of cowpea as the test crop. The impulsive variations in soil moisture status with reference to these techniques were found to influence the physiological and biochemical parameters of cowpea significantly. Mu...

THE effect of moisture content, fine material con­ centration and bulk density on the airflow resistance of long-grain rough rice was determined. Airflow resistance was measured at air velocities ranging from 0.013 to 0.387 mis, bulk densities from 480 to 604 kg/m3, fines concentrations from 0 to 30% and moisture contents from 12 to 24 %. Airflow resistance was accurately described by an empiri...

Elevated arsenic content in food crops pose a serious human health risk. Apart from rice wheat being another main food crop is possibly cultivated on contaminated sites. But for wheat uptake mechanisms are not entirely understood especially with regard to nutrient fertilization and different moisture regimes taking into account heavy rainfall events due to climate change. Here we show that espe...

Fumonisins in maize (Zea mays L.) grain silo bags in the conditions of three Argentine provinces were analyzed to determine how this kind of storage affects contamination and if differential storage durations or times of the year of silo bag closing and opening are factors that could modify it. Moisture content, water activity (a(w)), molds and yeasts present, and fumonisins were analyzed in 16...

Pedigree selection was practiced on two bread wheat populations, namely i.e. (Debeira x Sahel 1) as considered population I and (Sids 6 x Sahel 1) as considered population II. Experiments were conducted under drought stress conditions (at 12 % soil moisture content) in order to improve yield and its component traits (no. of spikes / plant, biological yield, grain yield / plant and 1000-grain we...