Seed Drying

Question 1

The process of elimination of moisture from the seed is called

Answer 1

Drying

Question 2

Refers to the overall health, growth, and vitality of crops, which can be assessed through their spectroscopic characteristics using remote sensing techniques.

Answer 2

Crop Vigor

Question 3

The measure of how many seeds or how much plant material in a lot are alive and could develop into plants that will reproduce under appropriate field conditions.

Answer 3

Plant viability

Question 4

Should reduce the seed moisture content to safe moisture limits to maintain its viability and vigor during storage, which may otherwise deteriorate quickly owing to mold growth, heating and enhanced microbial activity.

Answer 4

Seed Drying

Question 5

The moisture from the seed is eliminated in 2 stages:

Answer 5

1. Surface moisture of the seed that initially removed by the drying air.
2. The removal of the moisture in the surface cause an imbalance in the moisture potential in the surface of the seed and the inner portion of the seed which leads to the migration of moisture from the inner organ to the surface.

Question 6

Elimination of moisture from the seed depends upon the __________ and ____________ of the environment surrounding the seed.

Answer 6

relative humidity, temperature

Question 7

A measure of the water vapor content of air.

Answer 7

Relative Humidity

Question 8

When RH of the atmosphere is less than the seed, moisture is eliminated from the seed.

Answer 8

The rh takes out the moisture from the seed to have reach an equilibrium.

Question 9

Defined as the addition of oxygen to the substance or the removal of hydrogen from the substance.

Answer 9

Oxidation

Question 10

A scientific process whereby decomposers break down complex organic matter into more elementary substances such as water, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and calcium

Answer 10

Decomposition

Question 11

The process of converting a chemical substance from a liquid or solid state to a gaseous or vapor state.

Answer 11

Volatilization

Question 12

In the process of seed drying there will be loss of dry weight of seed which is widened when the processes take place at high temperature. Hence, ___________________________________________?

Answer 12

Hence, high moisture seeds should be dried at low temperature.

Question 13

A seed is in ___________ with the environment when the rate of moisture loss from the seed to the surrounding atmosphere is equal to the rate of moisture gained by the seed from the atmosphere.

Answer 13

Equilibrium

Question 14

Always remember. Greater the seed moisture content lesser should be the drying temperature and vice versa.

Answer 14

Noted

Question 15

The rate of drying depends on:

Answer 15

Initial seed moisture content
Size of the bin and capacity
Depth of spread of seed
The rate of air blow
Atmosphere air temperature and relative humidity
Static pressure
Drying temperature

Question 16

Methods of drying?

Answer 16

I. Physical drying (or) natural drying (or) traditional sun drying
II. Mechanical (or) artificial drying

Question 17

“Grain is maintained at moisture level of ___% or less and seed is stored at ___% moisture level or less.”

Answer 17

14%. 12%

Question 18

This is the common conventional method in which drying of the harvested crop is carried out in the field or threshing floor by the radiant energy of the sun.

Answer 18

Physical drying / Natural drying / Traditional Sun drying

Question 19

Why sun dried seeds should not be allowed to remain open in the floor during night?

Answer 19

Seed will absorb moisture from air.

Question 20

How many days are needed to reduce the moisture content to 10-12%?

Answer 20

2-4 days

Question 21

Must know! Direct sunlight also can adversely affect seed germinability owing to high temperature and ultraviolet radiation, especially if the moisture content of the seed is high.

Answer 21

Noted

Question 22

1. Easy and cheap
2. Does not require any expenditure or fuel.
   are advantages of?

Answer 22

Physical drying / Natural drying / Traditional Sun drying

Question 23

To achieve uniform drying, the seed should be spread in thin layer. High moisture content seed with a moisture content of more than __% should be dried first under shade / light to reduce the moisture content less than ____% and then dried under heavy sun i.e. noon drying.

Answer 23

17%, 17%

Question 24

1. The rate of drying is slow
2. Loss due to attack by insects, birds and animals
3. Large floor area is required
4. Involves extra labour for collecting and exposing during the day
5. Sun drying cause sun checks or hot spots due to variation in temperature from time to time. This checks or spots induce high amount of breakage while processing
6. mechanical admixtures are possible
7. Dust, dirt and other foreign materials get admixed
8. High weather risks and damage by heavy wind and rains
   are disadvantages of?

Answer 24

Physical drying / Natural drying / Traditional Sun drying

Question 25

In this type of mechanical drier, relatively dry air is blown through a layer of seed until the seed is dried completely, after which it is removed and replaced by another batch of seed.
The method is simple and well suited to small quantities of seed, allows easy cleaning and is recommended for farm drying.

Answer 25

Batch dryers

Question 26

In this type of drying, natural air or air supplemented with heat is blown through a layer of seed until drying is completed.
The outside air which is comparatively dry is circulated in the go down and thereby the seed get dried up in this process. This is possible only in dry months.

Answer 26

Forced air drying

Question 27

In this type of drier, the seed moves horizontally or vertically through a stream of hot air and then into a cooling chamber. These driers are however difficult to clean when there is a change of cultivar.
These driers can use air temperature higher than those of batch dries, because the seed is heated for a much shorter time.

Answer 27

Continuous flow dryers

Question 28

Advantages of ___________ drying
1. Quick method, timely and uniform drying is possible
2. Makes early harvest possible
3. It reduces the chances of losses due to over ripening and shattering of seed
4. Losses due to rodents and birds are prevented.
5. Less damage during processing operation.
6. Permits long time storage by preventing sun checks and other damages.

Answer 28

Mechanical

Question 29

Advantages of ___________ drying
1. Requires specialized equipment and machine, which is costly.
2. Care should be taken while drying the seed using hot air, as it causes damage to the seed.
3. Tempering is to be followed while drying the seed in this method.

Answer 29

Mechanical