This study evaluated the influence of drum speed, moisture content, and feed rate on the performance indices of groundnut sheller using Ex-Dakar groundnut variety. Response surface methodology was used to study the influence of input variables and optimize the processing conditions. The developed second-order polynomial model adequately described the performance responses, including output capacity, shelling and cleaning efficiencies, and kernel damage. The input variables indicated significant influences on performance responses. The optimized processing variables for the responses were drum speed of 210 rpm, moisture content of 8%, and feed rate of 350 kg∙h−1. The optimum responses obtained were output capacity of 302.52 kg∙h−1, shelling efficiency of 97.61%, cleaning efficiency of 53.16%, and kernel damage of 4.04%. These performance responses were validated experimentally and were close to the observed results.
Seed dormancy is a state in which seeds do not germinate despite the presence of all of the necessary conditions (temperature, humidity, oxygen, and light). It is caused by hard seed coat impermeability or a lack of supply and activity of the enzymes required for germination. The dormancy of seeds presents a practical problem of considerable economic importance. Plant growers are often interested in securing seed that will germinate soon after it is harvested. To overcome dormancy, organic material is subjected to a variety of physical and chemical pretreatments. Some plant species have both physical and internal dormancy, making it difficult to produce high-frequency healthy seedling growth, despite the fact that seed sprouting and the generation of healthy seedlings is a requirement for plant output. The Chapter is intended to present the basic information on the seed dormancy which would be of relevance to the seed growers and scientists during seed handling process. Seed dormancy is of great concern to scientists therefore it is a research area of interest. All the viable seeds have capacity to germinate if placed under suitable conditions necessary for germination. But some seeds fail to germinate for sometimes even if placed under the condition favorable for germination.
The challenge of providing a more efficient and cost-effective ways of harvesting groundnut amongst the small holder farmers is imperative in northern Nigeria as a result of intensity of labor requirement in the task. It is reported that up to 40 % of the total labor required to grow groundnut is expanded on harvesting operation and at peak harvest periods, labor shortages often occur leading to higher costs of production and subsequent years of reduction in yield due to soil nutrient loss owing to the uprooting method of manure harvesting. In order to assuage some of these challenges, a field test was conducted to evaluate operation performance of a single row animal drawn groundnut harvester developed in the department of Agricultural engineering Bayero University Kano. The effects of the control parameters of; variety of the groundnut seed planted, soil moisture content and cutting depth of the digger were studied on the performance parameters of the harvester as; digging efficiency, percentages of exposed pods loss, unexposed pods loss, undug pods loss and total of pods loss. The results obtained revealed a highly significant difference among the varieties with respect to unexposed pod loss (%), while moisture content was found to significantly affect exposed pods loss (%), total pos loss and digging efficiency. Varying the cutting depth significantly affected exposed pods (%), un-exposed pods (%), total pod loss and digging efficiency. Interaction between SAMNUT 23, moisture content of 12.4%db and cutting depth of 15 cm had digging efficiency of 97.22%, while the interactions between SAMNUT 26, moisture content of 12.4%db and cutting depth of 15 cm had digging efficiency of 95.14%. The study revealed that higher digging efficiency is obtainable with higher soil moisture content and cutting depth, irrespective of the variety under cultivation, while correlation analysis revealed that digging efficiency and total percentage of pod loss are inversely related, signifying that at lower digging efficiency there would be higher pod loss and vice versa.
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