Investigation on Effect of Stroke Length, Cutter Bar Speed, Moisture Content of Crop and Stem Diameter on Cutting Force for Development of Bengal Gram Harvester

Aims: The effects of crop and machine parameters on cutting force for Bengal gram crop were investigated. Study Design: Experiments were carried out at two levels by using the standard protocol. Place: The study was carried out in the farm machinery work shop of Agricultural Engineering College & Research Institute, Kumulur, Trichy, Tamil Nadu, India. Methodology: A double knife cutter bar test rig was developed for measuring the cutting force required for harvesting of Bengal gram crop. Experiments were carried out on JG 11 variety of Bengal gram crop at two levels of stroke length of the double knife cutter bar, four levels of cutter bar speeds, three levels of stem diameter and three ranges of moisture content (at harvesting stage, at 5 days before and after harvesting). Results: The minimum cutting force of 16.14 N was observed at 1.0 ms-1 for cutting 3 to 4.5 mm diameter with 14.08 to 15.1 per cent moisture content of stem. The maximum value of cutting force of 39.83 N was observed at 0.25 m s-1 for cutting more than 6 mm diameter with 20.2 to 20.45 per cent moisture content of stem. The double knife cutter bar with a stroke length of 76.2 mm registered 4.3 to 11.12 percent reduction in cutting force as compared to 50 mm stroke length for the all selected levels of parameters.

Effect of cryopreservation on germination of seeds and zygotic embryos of Calamus shendurunii an endemic rattan of Western Ghats

<p><em>Calamus shendurunii </em>is an endemic rattan of Western Ghats having restricted distribution and limited population. As a prerequisite to device an appropriate method for <em>ex situ </em>conservation of the species, desiccation and cryopreservation of seeds and zygotic embryo has been studied. Seeds extracted from ripened fruits possessed 35 per cent moisture content and exhibited 97 per cent germination. Desiccation to 28 per cent moisture content reduced the germination to 77 per cent. Desiccation below 14 per cent moisture content caused complete loss of seed germinability. Seeds stored under ambient conditions (28±2oC/60% RH) for more than seven days reduced germination to less than 40 per cent. Thus, conventional storage is not effective for their <em>ex situ </em>conservation. As an alternative method, excised zygotic embryos were subjected to desiccation and storage in liquid nitrogen. The embryos tolerated desiccation down to 5 per cent exhibiting 60 to 90 per cent germination upon culture into MS medium. Desiccated embryos subjected to liquid nitrogen exposure showed post freeze recovery and germination (80-90%) equal to that of desiccated control samples. Thus the study proved the extreme recalcitrance of <em>C. shendurunii </em>seeds and embryo cryopreservation as an alternative method of their <em>ex situ </em>conservation in gene banks.</p>

Effect of autoclaving and cooling on resistant starch formation in rice starch

A study was undertaken to standardise processing treatments for optimising resistant starch (RS) formation in rice starch. The effect of processing conditions on the RS content of rice starch was studied in 48 treatments by autoclaving at 121°C and 141°C for 20, 40 and 60 minutes without moisture and with 10, 20 and 40 percentage moisture levels. After autoclaving, the samples were cooled at room temperature and at -20°C. The yield of RS was found to be maximum in samples autoclaved at 141°C for 40 minutes with 10 per cent moisture and cooled at -20°C. Increasing the duration of autoclaving up to 60 minutes at a lower temperature of 121°C was also found to be effective in improving the RS content of rice starch. RS formation not only depends on a single factor but also on multiple factors like time and temperature of autoclaving, moisture as well as cooling conditions.

4. Direct Spectrophotometric Determination of Moisture Content of Grain and Seeds

The water absorption bands at 0.76, 0.97, 1.18, 1.45, and 1.94 μ were investigated for spectrophotometric measurement of the moisture content of grain and seeds. The spectral absorbance curve for a thin layer of ground wheat was measured for the 1.0- to 2.3-μ region, showing that the 1.94-μ band of water has a minimum of interference. Using a 2-gram sample of ground material mixed with 1.5 to 2.0 ml of carbon tetrachloride in a 4.4-cm diameter cell, the transmittance values of a large number of wheat, soybean, wheat flour, and wheat bran samples were measured at 1.94 and 2.08 μ. From these data, the optical density difference Δ OD (1.94–2.08) μ was computed for each sample and related to the moisture content as determined by standard procedures. Calibration curves obtained for each of the four materials showed standard deviations from 0.28 to 0.37 per cent moisture for the moisture range from 0 to 20 per cent. The water absorption band at 0.97 μ was measured on individual intact peanuts and related to the moisture content. A measurement within ±0.7 per cent moisture content was obtained, using Δ OD (0.97–0.90) μ as the measured value. The authors conclude that moisture determination by direct spectrophotometry is practical on grain and should be possible on a wide range of solids.

Effect of including ensiled broiler-house litter in the rations of sheep on the digestibility of nutrients and the retention of nitrogen

The palatability and nutritive value of rations for sheep containing ensiled broiler-house litter and crushed barley (1:1 ratio) were compared with rations containing unprocessed broiler-house litter and barley. The ensiling of poultry litter together with barley (30 per cent moisture) for three or six weeks resulted in increased feed intakes compared with diets containing poultry litter ensiled alone for three or six weeks and mixed with barley or a diet in which neither poultry litter nor the barley were ensiled. The nitrogen digestibility of the totally ensiled diets was greater than that of the other diets when these values were corrected for differences in feed intake by covariance. Nitrogen retention by the sheep fed the totally ensiled diets was also greater than when they were fed the other diets. The greater feed intakes and nitrogen retention of the sheep when fed the totally ensiled diets compared with those diets that were partially ensiled or not ensiled at all may have been due to a change in the form of nitrogen and to the production of volatile fatty acids during the fermentation of the rations.

Infra-Red Moisture Measurement on the Paper Machine

The basic criteria for development of a suitable per cent moisture gauge for paper are discussed and the paper industry requirements analysed. The theory of operation for the infra-red gauge is explained and the various components of the system described at length. Installation methods for fixed point and traversing mechanisms are set forth. The significance of the calibration technique being used is discussed. A wide range of current installations is described and the extension of applications on the paper machine suggested.

Laboratory studies on dispersion behaviour of adult beetles in grain. XII.—The effect of isolated pockets of damp and mouldy wheat on Cryptolestes ferrugineus (Steph.) (Coleoptera, Cucujidae)

The effects of pockets of damp wheat upon the spatial structure (dispersion) of experimental populations of adults of Cryptolestes ferrugineus (Steph.) were investigated in the laboratory. Isolated pockets of non-mouldy wheat of 18 per cent, moisture content (85 per cent. R.H.) and of equally moist wheat supporting a mould flora (mainly Aspergillus candidus) were placed in a larger bulk of wheat of 14 per cent, moisture content (70 per cent. R.H.) at 25°C. One hundred beetles were released at the centre of the top surface of the bulk, and their dispersion within it was observed one week later. The method used allowed the entire bulk (25 kg.) to be quickly broken down so that the relative numbers of individuals in each of the 64 cubes of which it was composed could be recorded. Using other apparatus, the responses of single, isolated individuals to these physical conditions were analysed.Insects reared at 25°C. and 70 per cent. R.H. accumulated to an equal extent in the pockets of damp wheat irrespective of whether it was mouldy or not. Insects in a preferendum arena went to the drier side, i.e., to 70 per cent, as opposed to 85 per cent. R.H., and the underlying mechanism was found to be a klinokinetic response to humidity. Maintaining insects at 40 or 85 per cent. R.H. for 14 days before testing did not alter their dispersion behaviour in bulks of grain; maintenance at 40 per cent. R.H. did not alter their response to humidity in a preferendum arena, but at 80 per cent. R.H. it was abolished.A study of oviposition behaviour showed that when there was a choice between wheat of 18 and 14 per cent, moisture content, nearly all the eggs were laid in the damper grain, both when it was mouldy and when it was not. It is considered that oviposition requirements, and to some extent trophic behaviour patterns, over-ride the hygrokinetic response when wheat is damp or damaged, but that under field conditions, where the presence of dust and broken grain throughout the bulk provide conditions suited for oviposition and feeding, accumulations due solely to hygrokinesis may occur in the drier parts of a bulk.The results are discussed in relation to the ecology of the species in grain and to its detection and control; and evidence from this and other studies is discussed in relation to the dynamic nature of spatial organisation of insect populations in grain.

Laboratory studies on dispersion behaviour of adult beetles in grain. VII.—The effect of isolated pockets of damp and mouldy grain on Tribolium castaneum (Hbst.) (Coleoptera, Tenebrionidae)

The effect upon the three-dimensional dispersion of experimental populations of Tribolium castaneum (Hbst.) of internal pockets of grain at 18 per cent, moisture content, either mouldy or free from mould, and superficial ones of 25 per cent, moisture content, in a larger bulk of 14 per cent, moisture content, was investigated at 25°C. The behaviour under these circumstances of insects reared and maintained at 70 per cent, relative humidity was compared with those conditioned at 40 per cent. R.H. for 14 days. It was found that insects reared at 70 per cent. E.H. did not accumulate in the damp grain whereas conditioned ones did. The underlying response was shown to be hygrokinetic and the mechanism an orthokinetic one. The rate of movement of unconditioned adults in grain of 18 per cent, moisture content was approximately twice that in grain of 14 per cent, moisture content. Conditioned adults moved very slowly in the damper grain. There were no significant variations in irregularity of pathway (klinokinesis) under any of these circumstances. When grain of 18 per cent, moisture content supporting a mould growth was used, unconditioned adults did, however, accumulate in it due to trophic behaviour.While there is considerable plasticity of behaviour in this species a synthesis is attempted of the causal behavioural mechanisms underlying the spatial structure of populations in ecological situations involving humidity gradients; the results are also discussed in relation to grain storage conditions, and the detection and control of the species.

Laboratory studies on dispersion behaviour of adult beetles in grain. IV.—The lesser grain borer, Rhyzopertha dominica (F.) (Coleoptera, Bostrychidae)

Dispersion behaviour of the adult of the lesser grain borer, Rhyzopertlia dominica (F.), was investigated under controlled conditions by observing the numbers occurring on the surface, or at various depths below it, in small bulks of grain. The effects of population density, temperature and moisture content of the grain on numbers at the surface were studied by using groups of insects in 500 g. wheat, and on dispersion in the vertical plane by confining beetles within a monogranular plate of wheat held between vertical glass sheets, through which the positions of individuals could be observed.In grain at 25°C. and 14 per cent, moisture content (70 per cent. R.H.), the proportion of a group on the surface averaged approximately six per cent, for densities of 5–100 insects in 500 g., and the proportion was higher than in grain at the same temperature and 9 or 17 per cent, moisture, or at the same moisture content and 15 or 35°C.In grain of 14 per cent, moisture content, the level of individual locomotory activity increased from 15 to 35°C. At 25°C., locomotory activity was depressed in grain of 9 and 14 as compared with 17 per cent, moisture content. These results are discussed in relation to group formation and dispersal of R. dominica and its contact with Sitophilus granarius (L.) if both species are present in the same grain bulk.