Measurements and Analysis of the Physical Properties of Cereal Seeds Depending on Their Moisture Content to Improve the Accuracy of DEM Simulation

Abstract

This article presents the results of research on the influence of moisture on changes in the physical properties, i.e., the length, width, thickness, and weight, of dressed and untreated cereal seeds in order to improve the simulation process based on the discrete element method (DEM). The research was conducted on the seeds of three winter cereals, i.e., triticale, rye, and barley. The seeds with an initial moisture content of about 7% were moistened to five levels, ranging from 9.5% to 17.5%, at an increment of 2%. The statistical analysis showed that moisture significantly influenced the physical properties of the seeds, i.e., their length, width, thickness, and weight. As the moisture content of the seeds increased, there were greater differences in their weight. The average increase in the thousand kernel weight resulting from the increase in their moisture content ranged from 4 to 6 mg. The change in the seed moisture content from 9.5% to 17.5% significantly increased the volume of rye seeds from 3.10% to 14.99%, the volume of triticale seeds from 1.00% to 13.40%, and the volume of barley seeds from 1.00% to 15.33%. These data can be used as a parameter to improve the DEM simulation process.