Bassam Snobar

Flash Drying Macadamia Nuts for Improved Kernel Extraction

ABSTRACT FLAME drying was used to decrease macadamia nuts shell moisture below that of the kernel. The shell became brittle due to excessive loss of water while the kernel stayed moist and resilient. This phenomenon was not achievable by using conventional hot air drying. Flame-dried nuts yielded a high percentage of un-damaged premium quality kernels. No burned kernels were observed when flame timing was kept short. The in-itial moisture content of the nuts immediately prior to flame drying was found to be important to kernel recovery. The maximum benefit of flame drying was realized when initial kernel moisture content was ap-proximately 6 percent d.b.

The Role of Legumes in the Farming Systems of Jordan

Lentil, chickpea and bitter vetch are the major legume crops grown in the rainfed areas of Jordan. They are a major component in crop rotations. Special attention was given recently to forage legumes in the five year economic and social development plan. Now more research and demonstrations are being conducted. As a result, some farmers have replaced fallow with medics or forage mixtures (barley and common vetch) for animal grazing. The major problem facing production of legumes at the farmer level is the lack of mechanization, especially the mechanization of harvesting.

Methods of harvesting pulse crops

Pulse crops are harvested by hand in the Middle-East, North Africa and West Asia. Labour is often scarce and harvesting costs are expensive; this has threatened continuity of production in some regions. However, pulses are successfully harvested mechanically in the USA and elsewhere. Introducing mechanical harvesting systems to developing countries is very difficult, because of the habit of the crop cultivars grown, the environmental conditions which prevail, and the cultural practices used by farmers. Simple and inexpensive harvesting equipment which can be powered by tractor could be a potential solution. Intensive efforts by international and national research programmes are now being made to overcome this important constraint.

On-Farm N-P Fertilizer Production

ABSTRACT A prototype electric arc unit to produce nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers on site has been developed. This system is appropriate for use with alternate energy sources and has potential for fertilizer production in tropical agriculture regions. Description and perfor-mance of such a unit are reported.

Maturity Parameters of Olives and the Use of Abscission Chemicals

ABSTRACT THE olive fruit parameters such as volume, weight, oil content, and attachment force were studied throughout the 1976 olive season in two districts of Jordan. The results revealed that the parameters reached optimum values during the month of November and part of the month of December. The fruit removal per-cent ranged from 40 percent for control trees to 95 per cent for trees sprayed with ALSOL. Weather conditions influenced the abscission activity.

An Engineering Economics Analysis of Mechanical Harvesting and Handling Systems for Concord Grapes

ABSTRACT MECHANIZED harvesting of grapes has progressed rapidly in Michigan. In 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971 and 1972 approximately 1, 25, 65, 87 and 90 percent of the crop, respectively, was mechanically harvested (Marshall 1973). The objective of this research was an engineering economics analysis of conventional and newly developed mechanical harvesting and bulk handling systems (1-3) used in the Southwestern Michigan Concord grape vineyards.