Ebubekir Altuntas

Effect of moisture content on physical properties of some grain legume seeds

Abstract This study was carried out to determine the effect of moisture content on physical properties of some grain legumes seeds such as kidney bean (Phaselous vulgaris), dry pea (Pisum sativum), and black‐eyed pea (Vigna sinensis) seeds. Three different moisture contents for each grain legume were evaluated. The average length, width, thickness, geometric mean diameter, and unit mass of seeds ranged from 16.66, 8.86, 7.17, 10.17mm, and 0.715g for kidney bean; 7.46, 6.02, 4.49, 5.85mm, and 0.158g for pea; 9.19, 6.96, 6.26, 7.32mm, and 0.255 g for black‐eyed pea at a moisture content of 8.21%, 8.20%, and 5.66% (wet basis), respectively. The sphericity, thousand‐seed mass (1000‐seed mass), and projected area increased, whereas the bulk and kernel densities linearly decreased with an increase in moisture content for each grain legume seed. The porosity, the volume of seed, and angle of repose increased for three grain legumes seeds, whereas the angle of repose decreased for black‐eyed pea seeds in the moisture contents studied. The static and dynamic coefficients of friction on various surfaces, namely, galvanised metal, chipboard, mild steel, plywood, and rubber also linearly increased with an increase in moisture content of each grain legume seed.

Physical and Mechanical Properties of Some Walnut (Juglans regia L.) Cultivars

The physical properties of nuts and kernels of three Turkish walnut varieties (Juglans regia L.) such as dimensions, weight of nuts and kernels, sphericity, bulk density, volume, and coefficient of friction were determined. The resistance of the nut and kernel of walnut varieties to damage was determined by measuring the average rupture force, deformation and rupture energy along the X-, Y- and Z-axes at different compression speeds (30 and 60 mm/min). Both the static and dynamic coefficient of friction values were greater for the sheet iron surface than the galvanized one for all walnut varieties. The highest nut rupture force, deformation and rupture energy among the three walnut varieties occurred for Kaman loaded on the Y-axis. The results indicated that when testing the effects of compression axes the rupture force is highly dependent on walnut varieties. The lowest force needed to rupture the nut or kernel was found in walnut varieties with Sebin that were tested at a compression speed of 60 mm/min.

Selected mechanical and geometric properties of different almond cultivars.

The effects of compression in different axes and speeds on mechanical properties and selected geometric properties of almond cultivars were investigated. The average sphericity, volume and surface area ranged from 60.5 to 71.1%; 3.52 to 3.81 cm3 and 0.60 to 0.61 cm2 for almond cultivars. The greatest and least rupture force of almond were obtained along the X and Z axes for each cultivar. The results indicated that the effects of compression along the axis and speed on the rupture force were highly dependent on almond cultivars. Selected mechanical properties were affected by geometric and mechanical parameters of almond cultivars.

Silage maize emergence is reduced by wheel traffic due to increased soil bulk density and penetration resistance

Effects of wheel traffic on plant emergence in conventional and conservational tillage systems for silage maize have been studied. Compaction parameters investigated were as follows: pre-planting in entire plot area, post-planting in entire plot area, post-planting intra-rows, post-planting inter-rows and a control (no extra compaction); using a conventional tillage system such as mouldboard plough and disc harrow, and conservational tillage such as chisel plough with tooth harrow and rotary tiller. Penetration resistance, bulk density, maize mean emergence dates and percentage of emerged seedlings were measured. Soil bulk density and penetration resistance in pre-planting and post-planting compaction treatments in the entire plot area were higher than the other compaction treatments. Compaction caused by pre-planting resulted in lower silage maize emergence than the other compaction treatments. The mean percentage emergence of seedlings was higher in the rotary tiller conservational tillage system than that of the other tillage systems. The mean percentage emergence of seedlings was higher in control and post-planting intra-rows compaction. In conclusion, the percentage of emerged seedlings was affected negatively by the wheel traffic treatments. Compaction treatments caused by tractor wheel traffic in tillage systems increased soil bulk density and penetration resistance.

Physico-mechanical Properties and Colour Characteristics of Apple as Affected by Methyl Jasmonate Treatments

Physical (geometric, volumetric and colour) and mechanical properties of apple (cv. Fuji) as affected by Methyl Jasmonate treatments were analyzed. Geometric mean diameter, fruit mass, sphericity and surface area ranged from 71.36 to 69.97 mm, 196.53 to 194.83 g, 1.126 to 1.129, and 161.32 to 158.11 cm2 with MeJA doses, respectively. The bulk and fruit densities varied from 383.65 to 364.22 kg/m3 and from 967.96 to 954.63 kg/m3, with MeJA treatments. L*, a*, b* value of skin apple changed from 50.76 to 46.89, from 28.06 to 30.35, and from 24.58 to 22.43, respectively with MeJA doses. The skin and flesh firmnesses varied from 101.49 to 112.60 N and 74.18 to 72.71 N, respectively. The sphericity and projected area increased with MeJA doses used. As the MeJA doses increased, the bulk and fruit densities decreased, whereas volume increased. L*, b* and hue angle characteristics of skin apple were found to decrease, whereas a* was found to increase with MeJA doses. The fruit-removal-force was decreased linearly with increasing MeJA doses. The rubber surface offered the maximum friction followed by plywood and galvanized metal for MeJA doses.

The effect of NAA (1-naphthalene acetic acid) and AVG (aminoethoxyvinylglycine) on physical, chemical, colour and mechanical properties of Braeburn apple

Abstract Recently, plant growth regulators have been used for multiple purposes in tree fruits. NAA (1-naphthalene acetic acid) and AVG (aminoethoxyvinylglycine) have been widely used in apple fruit. NAA and AVG have been used to control preharvest fruit drop and improve the quality of fruit. In this study, the effects NAA (20 mgL–1), AVG (500 mgL–1) and control (non treatment) treatments on physical, chemical, colour characteristics and mechanical properties of apple (cv. Braeburn) were investigated. The higher length, width, thickness, geometric mean diameter, fruit mass, surface area, projected area, volume, fruit and bulk densities were obtained in AVG treatment. Total acidity, total soluble solid content and starch starch index were higher in control as compared to NAA and AVG treatments. Total phenolic content of the flesh apple was higher than the other treatments. While total antioxidant activities of skin and flesh fruit were higher in AVG according to FRAP method, total monomeric anthocyanin was lower in AVG as compared to the other treatments. AVG treatment generally had positive impacts on fruit removal force, skin and flesh firmnesses because retarding the fruit ripening.

Selected Some Engineering Properties of Peanut and Its Kernel

Selected some engineering (geometric, volumetric and frictional) properties of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) and its kernel were determined at a moisture content of 8.25% and 10.03% (dry basis), respectively. The mean values of length, width, thickness and geometric mean diameter were 40.73 mm, 17.52 mm , 15.61 mm, 22.46 mm for peanut, and 21.08 mm, 10.22 mm, 10.89 mm, 13.22 mm for its kernel, respectively. The sphericity, bulk and true densities, angle of repose, porosity, surface area, mass and volume values were obtained for peanut and its kernel, respectively. The mean values of static and dynamic coefficient of friction against galvanized steel, chipboard and plywood surfaces were determined. The maximum static and dynamic coefficients of friction were found for plywood and galvanized steel surfaces for peanut and its kernel, respectively.

GEOMETRIC, VOLUMETRIC, COLOUR AND FRICTIONAL PROPERTIES OF SELECTED SALVIA SPECIES OF TURKEY

Background: Salvia seeds are promite to dietary and healthy oils because they contain essential fatty acids. Salvia seeds frequently produce mucilage on soaking, and this mucilage is used for the treatment of eye diseases in eastern countries. Salvia species studied for medicine, food and cosmetics, have the potential to be used in the various fields. In the present study, selected engineering (geometrical, volumetrical, colour and frictional) properties of 6 Salvia species seeds were determined and compared. Materials and Methods: This study was performed on selected engineering properties of seeds of 6 Salvia species (Salvia viridis L., Salvia aethiopis L., Salvia cryptantha Montbert & Aucher ex Benthan., Salvia tomentosa Mill., Salvia sclarea L., Salvia virgata Jacq.,) cultivated in Turkey. Plants were collected during the vegetation in 2012-2013 (May-Agust). The seeds were cleaned from foreign matter, dirt and broken seeds manually. Results: The average length, width and thickness were found in the range of 2.61 to 3.53 mm, 1.59 to 2.92 mm and 1.14 to 2.52 mm, respectively. Salvia viridis L. specie had the lowest geometric mean diameter and surface area, whereas Salvia cryptantha L. had the least values among these 6 Salvia species for these properties. The bulk density, true density and the porosity were between 296.83 and 702.80 kg m-3, 285.69 and 718.08 kg m-3, 10.27 and 44.05%, respectively. The volume of unit seed and sphericity ranged between 2.56 and 13.64 mm3, 62.90 and 90.40%, respectively. The coefficient of friction of salvia species were largely influenced by the friction surfaces studied, and highest values were found for polywood in the Salvia crytantha L.. In the study, the static friction coefficient and the angle of repose of salvia species changed from 0.477 to 0.955, and from 14.09 to 23.57°, respectively. Conclusion: Determination of geometric, volumetric, colour and frictional properties of Salvia spp. seeds may increase their economic value.

SOME ENGINEERING PROPERTIES OF SHELLED AND KERNEL TEA (Camellia sinensis) SEEDS

Background: Camellia sinensis is the source of tea leaves and it is an economic crop now grown around the World. Tea seed oil has been used for cooking in China and other Asian countries for more than a thousand years. Tea is the most widely consumed beverages after water in the world. It is mainly produced in Asia, central Africa, and exported throughout the World. Some engineering properties (size dimensions, sphericity, volume, bulk and true densities, friction coefficient, colour characteristics and mechanical behaviour as rupture force of shelled and kernel tea (Camellia sinensis) seeds were determined in this study. Materials and Methods: This research was carried out for shelled and kernel tea seeds. The shelled tea seeds used in this study were obtained from East-Black Sea Tea Cooperative Institution in Rize city of Turkey. Shelled and kernel tea seeds were characterized as large and small sizes. Results: The average geometric mean diameter and seed mass of the shelled tea seeds were 15.8 mm, 10.7 mm (large size); 1.47 g, 0.49 g (small size); while the average geometric mean diameter and seed mass of the kernel tea seeds were 11.8 mm, 8 mm for large size; 0.97 g, 0.31 g for small size, respectively. The sphericity, surface area and volume values were found to be higher in a larger size than small size for the shelled and kernel tea samples. The shelled tea seed’s colour intensity (Chroma) were found between 59.31 and 64.22 for large size, while the kernel tea seed’s chroma values were found between 56.04 68.34 for large size, respectively. The rupture force values of kernel tea seeds were higher than shelled tea seeds for the large size along X axis; whereas, the rupture force values of along X axis were higher than Y axis for large size of shelled tea seeds. The static coefficients of friction of shelled and kernel tea seeds for the large and small sizes higher values for rubber than the other friction surfaces. Conclusion: Some engineering properties, such as geometric mean diameter, sphericity, volume, bulk and true densities, the coefficient of friction, L*, a*, b* colour characteristics and rupture force of shelled and kernel tea (Camellia sinensis) seeds will serve to design the equipment used in postharvest treatments.

Türkiye’nin Tarımsal Mekanizasyon Düzeyinin Coğrafik Bölgeler Açısından Değerlendirilmesi

Bu calismanin amaci, Turkiye’nin tarimsal mekanizasyon duzeyini, cografik bolgeler acisindan belirlemektir. Bu amacla, Turkiye’nin cografik bolgelerinin tarimsal mekanizasyon duzeyi verileri icin; 2013 yilina ait Turkiye Istatistik Kurumu verileri kullanilmistir. Calisma sonucunda, Turkiye’de islenen alana dusen traktor sayisi, traktor gucu ile traktore dusen islenen alan ortalamalari 2013 yili icin sirasiyla 77,73 traktor/1000 ha, 3,34 kW/ha ve 12,87 ha/traktor olarak bulunmustur. Turkiye’de tarimsal mekanizasyon duzeyinin en yuksek ve en dusuk oldugu bolgeler sirasiyla Ege Bolgesi ve Guneydogu Anadolu Bolgesi olup, mekanizasyon duzeyine yonelik ortalama degerler sirasiyla 147,86-27,23 traktor/1000 ha, 6,36-1,17 kW/ha ve 6,76-36,72 ha/traktor olarak bulunmustur. 1000 ha islenen alana dusen bicerdover sayisi sirasiyla Marmara ve Dogu Anadolu Bolgesi’nde 2,16 ve 0,07 degerleriyle bulunurken, en yuksek ve en dusuk traktor basina dusen tarim alet ve makinalari sayisi ise sirasiyla Ic Anadolu ve Guneydogu Anadolu’dan elde edilirken, birim traktor basina tarim makinalari ve aletleri agirligi en yuksek ve en dusuk sirasiyla Ic Anadolu ve Guneydogu Anadolu’da tespit edilmistir. Turkiye’de tarimsal mekanizasyon kriterleri, cografik bolgelere gore farklilik gostermekte ve istenen duzeyde degildir.