EFFECT OF MOISTURE CONTENT ON SOME PHYSICAL AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF WHEAT (Triticum aestivum L.) SEEDS

The selection of design, improvement, and utilization of seed planting, harvesting, and postharvest implements depends on the grain physical and mechanical property information of the specific crop type and variety. However, this information is lacking for wheat varieties produced in different regions of Ethiopia. The objective of the study was to generate data on the physical and mechanical properties of grains from selected wheat varieties. Three wheat varieties (Danda’a, Jalanne, and Kakaba) were selected. A factorial combination of 3 × 5 treatment levels was adapted with three replications. The variables studied were the grain size, shape, weight, bulk density, angle of repose, and coefficient of friction. The data were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA), and the Dunnett multiple range test was used to separate the means. Significance was accepted at a 95% confidence interval (p < 0.05). As moisture increased, the grain's dimensions, shape, thousand kernel weight, coefficient of friction, and angle of repose all increased while bulk density decreased. The bulk density decreased from 0.73 to 0.54 g/cm³ as moisture increased from 8.50% to 28.50%. The study indicated large variations in the treatments used. The mean values for grain length, surface area, and volume increased from 5.786 ± 0.253 to 6.525 ± 0.361 mm, 38.514 ± 2.997 to 49.627 ± 3.201 mm2, and 22.531 ± 2.644 to 32.933 ± 3.201 mm3, respectively. Similarly, thousand kernel weight, repose angle, and friction coefficient increased from 26.70 to 42.00 g, 23.20 to 34.70°, and 0.4142 to 0.8391, respectively. Variations in grain properties indicate the necessity for diverse design and calibration criteria for seed planting, harvesting, and postharvest equipment tailored to different wheat varieties at different moisture levels.