Thermodynamic models and Soft-computing method of Neural Network (NN) were used for computation of sesame seed dehydration energy (heat and entropy). The NN method for prediction of the Equilibrium Moisture Content (EMC) of sesame seed was utilized. The heat of sorption of sesame seed is predicted by a mathematical model. After well training of the NN model, predictive power of the model was fo...

This study was performed to investigate the effect of storage conditions on seed germination performance of faba bean (cv. Shami). For this purpose, a three factors factorial experiment was conducted in laboratory of Seed Science and Technology, Faculty of Agriculture, Yasouj University, in 2013-2014, based on CRD design with five replications.  The experimental factors were storage temperature...

The importance of moisture measurement in grain and seed is discussed, and a brief history of the development of moisture sensing instruments, based on sensing of dielectric properties of these materials, is presented. Data are presented graphically on the permittivities or dielectric properties of grain and seed showing their variation with frequency, moisture content, temperature, and bulk de...

Two varieties of Pearl millet seeds (Penisetum glaucum) (Ex-Borno and SOSAT C88) were obtained from the Lake Chad Research Institute, Maiduguri-Nigeria and reconditioned to moisture contents ranging from 10% 20% w.b. The reconditioned seeds were then evaluated for dimensions, sphericity, bulk density, solid density, porosity, thousand seed mass, angle of repose and static coefficient of frictio...

Survival of seeds in the seed bank is important for the population dynamics of many plant species, yet the environmental factors that control seed survival at a landscape level remain poorly understood. These factors may include soil moisture, vegetation cover, soil type, and soil pathogens. Because many soil fungi respond to moisture and host species, fungi may mediate environmental drivers of...

The elastic modulus of two varieties of Iranian pumpkin seed and its kernel (namely, Zaria and Gaboor) were evaluated as a function of size (large, medium, and small), loading rate (2, 5, 8, and 10 mm/min), and moisture content (4, 7.8, 14, and 20% d.b) under quasistatic compression loading. The results showed that elastic modulus of pumpkin seed and its kernel decreased with increasing moistur...

A series of experiments were conducted in laboratory at The University of Agriculture, Peshawar to determine the optimal duration and maximal concentration of zinc (Zn) and phosphorus (P) for priming wheat seed. The seeds were soaked through a range of durations (0, 12, 18, 24, 36 and 48 h) and tested for germination as surface dry and dried to original moisture (12%). Seed soaked for 18 h resu...

We aimed to introduce and test the "seed mass-distribution range trade-off" hypothesis, that is, that range size is negatively related to seed mass due to the generally better dispersal ability of smaller seeds. Studying the effects of environmental factors on the seed mass and range size of species, we also aimed to identify habitats where species may be at risk and need extra conservation eff...

The seed moisture level marking the onset of imbibitional injury (breakpoint) was determined for two cultivars of Phaseolus vulgaris L. cvs ;Tendercrop' (TC) and ;Kinghorn Wax' (KW). At 20 degrees C the breakpoints were 0.15 gram H(2)O/gram dry weight (gram per gram) for TC and 0.11 gram per gram for KW. When seeds were imbibed at 5 degrees C, the breakpoints were 0.19 gram per gram (TC) and 0....