Investigating the Physical Properties of Corn Varieties

Abstract

Highlights The effect of moisture on the physical properties of corn varied significantly with variety. There is no comprehensive moisture model for the prediction of physical properties of corn. The models derived from experimental data and models posited in the literature provide varying degrees of predictive accuracy. Abstract. Several corn varieties have been developed to match short maturity seasons and increase yield for specific end use, such as ethanol production and animal feed. However, it is unclear how varietal differences influence the physical properties. Similarly, there is no certainty that these varieties adhere to the moisture engineering properties relationships recorded in the literature. This research investigated the physical properties of 10 corn hybrids at three moisture content levels (13.5%, 15.5%, and 17% w.b.). The influence of moisture content on the different geometric (equivalent diameter, geometric mean diameter, sphericity, aspect ratio, surface area, projected area, flatness ratio) and gravimetric (bulk density, true density, porosity) properties were assessed and compared with the published literature. Further, this study assessed the potential of regression-based moisture engineering properties relationship models for the prediction and description of the physical properties of corn. Predictive and descriptive comparisons indicated that, in some instances, reference models provided better predictions of the geometric and gravimetric properties of a single variety compared to pooled samples. The study models provided better predictions for the pooled samples. However, the study results confirm no one-size-fits-all moisture physical property model exists. Using existing moisture content based regression models for description and predictive purposes should be done with specific variety references. Keywords: Corn hybrids, Moisture based physical property models, Prediction of physical properties.