Aerodynamic Properties of Makhobeli, Triticale and Wheat Seeds

Abstract

Abstract The objective of this study was the evaluation of the aerodynamic properties of Makhobeli, triticale and wheat seeds as a function of moisture content from 7 to 27% (w.b). The results showed that the terminal velocity of triticale and wheat seeds increased linearly from 5.37 to 6.42 and from 6.31 to 8.02 m s-1, respectively, as the moisture content increased from 7 to 27%. Over this same moisture content range, the terminal velocity of Makhobeli seeds varied following a polynomial relationship from 4.52 to 5.07 m s-1. Makhobeli seeds had terminal velocities with a mean value of 4.73 m s-1, at different moisture contents, compared to the mean values of 5.89 and 7.13 m s-1 for triticale and wheat seeds, respectively. The mean value of drag coefficient was 1.12 for Makhobeli compared to the values of 0.92 and 0.85 for triticale and wheat, respectively. The analysis of variance showed that there were significant differences between the terminal velocity (at 1 % probability level) and drag coefficient (at 5% probability level) of Mak-hobeli with triticale and wheat seeds, which suggests that aerodynamic separation of Makhobeli from triticale and wheat is possible.