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Open Access
Performance and ergonomic evaluation of direct pady seeder and mechanical rice transplanter in wet lands
(Department of Farm Power Machinery and Energy, Kelappaji College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, Tavanur, 2013) Rathod Sachin, Ravsu; KAU; Sureshkumar, P K
An experiment was conducted to evaluate the performance of the ‘Aiswarya’ 8 row direct seeder and ‘Mahindra PF455S’ 4 row walk behind mechanical transplanter with ‘Jyothi’ rice variety in wet lands from the ergonomic point of view. It conducted with selected male and female subjects in the age group of 25–35 years. The performance of these machines was compared with manual transplanting. The results show that the seed rate for direct seeder was very low with 37 kg ha-1 as compared to the mechanical transplanter (55 kg ha-1) and manual transplanting (72 kg ha-1). EFC found for direct seeder and mechanical transplanter was 0.11 ha h-1and 0.12 ha h-1 respectively. The field efficiency was found to be 69% for direct seeder and 74% for mechanical transplanter. Fuel consumption of the mechanical transplanter was found 3.7 l ha-1. The grain yield and straw yield in mechanical transplanting method was higher 2652 kg ha-1 and 3482 kg ha-1 as compared to 2265 kg ha-1 and 2885 kg ha-1 in the case of direct seeding. But in the case of manual transplanting, the yields were 2025 kg ha-1 and 2508 kg ha-1 respectively. The mean value of WHR and OCR with direct seeder was 145.5 beats min-1 and 0.95 l min-1 for male and 148.9 beats min-1 and 0.98 l min-1 for female. But in case of mechanical transplanter, the mean value of WHR and OCR was 131.6 beats min-1 and 0.80 l min-1 for male and 134.1 beats min-1 and 0.83 l min-1 for female. There was complete recovery of HR after 8 min with direct seeder and 6 min with mechanical transplanter. In case of direct seeder ODR, OSR, OER, BPDS values were given by male 6.5, 0, 6.0, 40.8 and by female 7.5, 0, 7.5, 45.6. The corresponding values for mechanical transplanter were 3.0, 1.5, 3.5, 36 by male and 3.5, 1.5, 5.0, 36. As per the grading of energy cost of work, direct seeder categorized as “very heavy type” and mechanical transplanter as “heavy type”. The 8 row direct seeder is not suitable for female subjects. A 4 row Mahindra walk behind mechanical transplanter could be used successfully not only to improve the yield but also to provide operator comfort as compared to the 8 row direct seeder.
Open Access
Development and evaluation of modified atmosphere packed passion fruit(Passiflora edulis)
(Department of Post harvest technology and agricultural processingKelappaji College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, Tavanur, 2012) Madhana Supriya, R; KAU; Sudheer, K P
Passion fruit is a tropical fruit which is extensively used in juice processing. The fruit is highly perishable and losses its quality immediately after the second day of harvest. The postharvest loss in quality and commercial value is due to the intense respiratory activity and significant moisture loss. Hence a study was undertaken to develop a wax applicator to extend the shelf life of passion fruit by adopting the postharvest technologies. A simple and efficient wax applicator with a capacity of 250 kg.hr-1 was developed based on the physical properties of the fruits. Various samples of the passion fruits were treated with bee wax and commercial wax packed in LDPE bags of 200 and 400 gauge. The effect on the shelf life extension of fruits was investigated individually and in combination of wax and LDPE bags. In the case of LDPE bags, different levels of perforations such as 0%, 0.5%, 1% and 2% were used. The samples were kept in ambient condition viz., 32 - 35°C and 70 - 80% RH and at cold conditions as 7ºC and 90% RH. The physicochemical characteristics of samples were tested periodically at an interval of 5 and 7 days, under ambient and cold storage conditions, respectively. The results obtained were subjected to statistical analysis. From the results it was revealed that the samples kept in non-perforated polythene covers were found to be better than those kept in perforated bags and in normal atmosphere. A maximum shelf life of 40 days was obtained for passion fruits at 7oC coated with commercial wax emulsion. Thus, commercial wax coating in combination with LDPE bags acted as a barrier against moisture loss and respiration rate of fruits. However, the fruits kept as control had lost consumer acceptability after the tenth day of study at cold condition and within two days at ambient storage conditions.
Open Access
Development and evaluation of a cassava (Manihot esculenta) storage cum packaging system
(Department of post harvest technology and agricultural processing, Kelappaji College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, Tavanur, 2014) Chinthana, D T; KAU; George, Mathew
Cassava (Manihot esculenta) has its origins in South America. This tuber root crop has become the staple food of the economically weaker sections of these countries as this can be grown in most of the adverse climatic and in fertile soil condition. In India the major production today is still from Kerala followed by Tamil Nadu and Andra Pradesh where it is gaining commercial importance for the production of Sago and Starch. The shelf life of this crop starts deteriorating immediately after harvesting and becomes unmarketable within 2-3 days. Hence, this study was undertaken to develop a more practical and affordable method to increase the shelf life of cassava by keeping in mind the economically weaker sections of society worldwide. The method chosen was to store the fresh cassava roots in boxes made up of locally available materials such as (wood, plastic, plywood) and filled with easily available cheap filler materials which are within the reach of the common man. To maintain moist condition of the filler materials small quantity of water was sprinkled daily. The filler materials selected ranged from different types of soils like sand , clay and laterite soil, cheap synthetic materials like sponge and plastic cuttings, and easily available organic materials like cassava leaves, coir, saw dust and wooden shavings. For the present study, the size of the box was developed to house around 6 Kgs of the roots along with filler materials. Two locally available popular varieties of Cassava viz. M4 and Muttechi were chosen for the study. First experiment was carried out with M4 variety with nine different filler materials as explained above stored in nine wooden boxes. Quality parameters were studied periodically in a range 5 days. It was found that cassava could be stored for 40 days using wooden shavings as filler material followed by sawdust and coconut fibre for 35day. The second experiment was the repetition of the same study with another variety commonly known as Muttechi variety in Kerala. Quality parameters were studied periodically in a range 5 – 7 days. It was found that cassava could be stored for 37 days using wooden shavings as filler material followed by sawdust (32days) and coconut fibre 27days. First two experiments revealed that synthetic filler materials like sponge, plastic etc were harmful to their survival. Organic materials like cassava leaves, Sand as a filler material was good in the initial stages but could not support for longer durations. The above two experiments were conducted using wooden boxes. In order to find the impact of material of construction of box on the storage duration of cassava, a third study was done choosing three materials (wooden box, plastic box and plywood boxes). Nine boxes were used for the study (3 each for the same material). The best three filler materials coconut fibre, saw dust and wooden shavings out of nine filler materials used in first and second experiments were used in the third experiment R.H 75% and temperature was 32ºC. Results of third experiment showed that the storage box played an important role more than that of the filler materials, as the roots stored in plywood box with best of the three filler materials could not survive for more than 15 days Comparing all the quality parameters it was observed that cassava roots stored in wooden box with wooden shavings as filler materials with routine replenishing of moisture by adding small quantity of water was best suited for extending the shelf life of the cassava roots up to 37 days during winter and the results could be less during summer with the extended shelf life of around 15 days. The economic analysis of the storage system was conducted and it was found for storing 1kg of cassava in the developed storage system with wooden shavings as a filler material including labour charges was Rs. 4.62/-. Hence, it can be concluded that this simple method of extending the shelf life of cassava roots by storing them in wooden boxes with wooden shavings as filler material with retention of moisture in the boxes by sprinkling small quantity of water daily is very economical, successful and easy for quick transportation.
Open Access
Soil erosion studies under simulated rainfall conditions in a lateritic terrain
(Department of Land and Water Resources and Conservation Engineering, Kelappaji College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, Tavanur, 2014) Praveena, K K; KAU; Kurien, E K
Soil erosion IS a complex phenomenon involving the detachment and transport of soil particles, storage and runoff of rainwater and infiltration. Soil erosion depends on several factors such as climate, soil type, topography, cropping and land management practices, the antecedent conditions and the size of the area under consideration. The present study was carried out in the lateritic terrain of KCAET campus, Tavanur, Malappuram District. This study was aimed at developing a rainfall simulator and studying the performance of the developed rainfall simulator, the effect of rainfall on soil loss, the effect of rainfall on runoff and developing a soil erosion model. A rainfall simulator was fabricated to study the erosion processes. Rainbird 12115118 Van Pop up sprinkler heads were used as the drop formers. The simulator evaluated for its performance. The soil was reddish brown and belonged to the textural class of sandy loam. It belonged to the Naduvattom series. The experimental set up consisted of three units viz., the runoff plot, the rainfall simulator and the runoff-sediment collection unit. Twelve runoff plots with twelve different slopes of 1.5, 2.0, 2.6, 3.0, 3.2, 4.0, 5.0, 6.0, 9.0, 10, 12 and 13 per cent in different locations, each plot with a size of2 x 1.5 m were prepared. The fabricated rainfall simulator could produce rainfall intensities varying from 8.16 to 8.80 ern/h. The uniformity of rainfall varied from 89.01 to 92.70 per cent and the average drop size varied from 1.5 to 2.8 mm. A relationship between supply pressure and intensity of rainfall as well as intensity and uniformity of rainfall was developed. Studies were conducted on soil loss and runoff at different land slopes under simulated rainfall conditions. The soil loss and runoff was found to increase with increase in rainfall intensity and land slopes and there were no much variations on runoff and soil loss at 6 to 10 per cent land slopes. A linear multiple regression analysis and 3D surface plot analysis was used to incorporate slope and rainfall intensities into a single prediction equation of soil loss and runoff using SPSS software and MATLAB package. The linear equations developed by the regression analysis are as follows: Q = 38.9451 - 11.606 S - 126.391 E = 124.356 1 - 0.807 S -951.420 (R2 = 0.649) (R 2 = 0.307) The quadratic equations developed by the 3D surface plot analysis are as follows: Q = 130.8 - 28.72 S + 48.12 1 + 2.11 S2 - 1.544 S 1 E = - 647.4 - 49.261 + 86.94 S - 0.3206 12 +6.296 S I As the variants explained were satisfactory enough to explain the runoff and soil loss, it may be concluded that the causative factors namely slope and intensity are bearing directive impact on soil erosion. A canonical analysis was worked out to determine the effect on runoff and soil loss by the vector of parameters u ing slope and intensity. Canonical R was computed and the same was 0.82034 and it is significant at 1 per cent level. Hence it may be concluded that the vector of process 'including slope and intensity as parameters together navigates the ultimate impact namely runoff and soil loss.
Open Access
Development of a filter system for roof water harvesting
(Department of Land and Water Resources and Conservation Engineering, Kelappaji College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, Tavanur, 2014) Shijila, Erikottil; KAU; Sathian, K K
This thesis work was undertaken to study the performance of modified mesh filter under rainfall. The mesh filter was modified with two other filters such as sand and charcoal filter and their combination study was conducted on artificial rainwater and evaluated the quality of filtered water. The two filters are fabricated with naturally available material such as above 1 mm size coarse sand and small pieces of burned coconut shell. These materials are freely available from surroundings and each material was filled in each PVC pipes of 25 cm length. From the first study four buildings are selected in the campus have different impurity levels that because of rain fall events, purposes or constructed material. It was found that there are small variations in the quality of harvested water but after filtration all results are same because filter was not depends on the roofing material and impurity level. The quality parameter like pH of the rainwater harvested after the filtration with mesh filter for all roofs met the USEPA secondary drinking water standard range of 6.5-8.5. The electrical conductivity, turbidity and suspended solids are also met the drinking water standards by WHO and the calculated average filter efficiency of mesh filter was 81.3 %. From the filter combination study the quality parameter such as pH, electrical conductivity, turbidity and suspended .,olids also examined through water quality analyzer of collected samples. As per the BIS 10500 of 2004 and WHO all the results are in the permissible range. The BOD test result was ranging from 44 to 92 mg/l and compared to inflow the filtered water has drastic reduction in the values. From the coliform test it was cleared that there were no colifirms (011 OOml) in the filtered water after 24 hour incubation period where as in inflow water coliforms were detected. It was found that there is a marked reductio'. .n the concentration of impurities, The reduction in im urities ranges from 84 to 86 % and the charcoal tilter has highest filtration rate of 9.42 m3/minlm2 compared to others. The results clearly. revealed that combined filters remove the impurities in a more efficient manner than of the mesh filter developed earlier. There is only minor difference between the both filters. The results clearly revealed that combined filters remove the impurities in a mo: e efficient manner than of the mesh filter developed earler. There is only minor difference between the both filters.
Open Access
Impact of fertigation and drip system layout on performance of chilli(Capsicum annum)
(Department of Land and Water Resources and Conservation Engineering, Kelappaji College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, Tavanur, 2012) Nadiya, Nesthad; KAU; Kurien, E K
The study “Impact of fertigation and drip system layout on performance of Chilli (Capsicum annum)” was taken up with the objective of determining the effect of fertigation, drip system layout and different levels of irrigation for chilli under plastic mulch. Different fertigation equipments like ventury injector, dosmatic fertigation unit and fertilizer tank were tested to study the hydraulic performance of the system. Ventury injector for fertilizer application was found to have high suction rate in comparison with dosmatic fertigation unit. The suction rate and motive flow rate was found to vary directly with respect to the pressure drop between the inlet and outlet of the fertigation equipment. Ventury injector can be used only if the discharge rate is above 14.6 L/min. Dosmatic fertigatrion unit and fertilizer tank can be used if the discharge rate is above 1.1 L/min and 6.6 L/min. The moisture distribution pattern under different drip field layout was observed. The moisture content near to the plant base was found to be high and decreases as the distance from the emitters increased. The effect of different irrigation levels and drip system layout under plastic mulch on the performance of Chilli (Capsicum annum), Ujwala variety was also studied. The number of branches, stem girth and yield showed significant difference between the treatments. The yield showed significant difference with different levels of irrigation and drip system layout. Maximum yield of 18.32 t/ha was observed for the treatment T5. The treatments T6 (17.952 t/ha) was on par with the treatment T5. The benefit cost ratio for treatment T5, 85 per cent of the irrigation requirement with one lateral for each row of crop was 3.8 and treatment T6, 85 per cent of the irrigation requirement with one lateral in between two rows of crop was 3.9. Even though the yield for the treatment T5 was high, the benefit cost ratio stands high for treatment T6. The high value of benefit cost ratio for treatment T6 was due to the reduction in the quantity of material for drip irrigation system
Open Access
Development and quality evaluation of extruded RTE snack food from starch based food products
(Kelappaji college of agricultural engineering and technology, Tavanur, 2012) Aneeshya Kamal, K S; KAU; Sudheer, K P
As the eating patterns are changing day by day, snack foods play very important role in the diet of the modern consumer. Extrusion cooking has been used increasingly in the production of food and food ingredients such as breakfast cereals, baby foods, snacks, meat and cheese analogues, as well as modified starches which have a pivotal role in the food industry. With the increased demand of extruded RTE snacks in the modern food industries, an extruded product was developed and standardised with starch based food products such as rice, cassava and banana. The raw materials mixed in different proportions of rice: banana and rice:cassava:banana were extruded under various process parameters viz. die temperatures, extruder screw speeds, feed rates and feed moisture content. Quality evaluation of the developed 96 extrudates along with control was done for standard engineering properties including physical, functional, textural and machine parameters. MAP of the extrudates were carried out in 400 gauge aluminum bags and kept for 3 months period for shelf life studies. Based on puffing characteristics, 17 samples were selected as best products. At the end of storage studies, the quality evaluation of these extrudates in terms of textural and organoleptic properties were analysed and yielded satisfactory results. The subjective analysis with good overall acceptability was also noted. The study concluded that rice: cassava: banana combination of R10:C80:B10 with extrusion done at temperatures of 180ºC to 200ºC at higher screw speed (100 and 120 rpm) could be considered optimum. The proposed product technology was found feasible with 37% IRR with a calculated unit cost of ₹ 3/- per 20g pack. So this product will be a snack cum breakfast kit for the consumers with a balanced mix of proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals which will ensure nutritional security and food safety.
Open Access
Hydraulics and field performance of a novel micro sprinkler
(Department of Land and Water Resources and Conservation Engineering, Kelappaji College of Agricultural Engineering and technology, Tavanur, 2012) Soumya Rani, T; KAU; Sathian, K K
This thesis work was undertaken to study the hydraulics and field performance of a simple and novel micro sprinkler developed by a farmer Mr. Avaran, M of Malappuram District, Kerala. It is made by fusing one end of a 3mm diameter, 4 cm long LDPE micro tube and making an incision just below the fused end. The manually made micro sprinkler samples of four different dimensions were used for the experiment. The micro sprinklers were tested for their hydraulic performance in the laboratory under four different pressures viz. 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 kg/cm2. The performance parameters of the micro sprinklers considered for the study were discharge, wetted radius, mean application depth, Christiansen‟s uniformity coefficient, coefficient of variation, distribution characteristics and soil moisture distribution pattern. The farmer developed micro sprinkler was found suitable to irrigate most of the perennial and vegetable crops of the study region. However, the micro sprinkler was showing considerable variability in discharge, wetted radius and application depth. To solve the deficiency of the farmer developed micro sprinkler, it was decided to manufacture standardised micro sprinklers through plastic injection moulding. The hydraulic performance of the industry manufactured micro sprinkler was not promising as revealed by the laboratory results and needed further refinement. A preliminary investigation has led to the conclusion that if moulding and cutting is done through two separate manufacturing processes better results can be brought out. Further, a field study was carried out with the farmer developed micro sprinkler to evaluate its field performance for the crop cucumber, with different levels of irrigation and mulching at the instructional farm, KCAET Tavanur. Randomised Complete Block Design was used for the study with 9 treatments and 3 replications. The various field performance parameters such as moisture distribution in the soil, temperature variation of the soil, number of female flower emergence, yield and yield attributing characteristics viz. number of fruits per plant, fruit length, fruit girth and water use efficiency of the crop were evaluated. The micro sprinkler with 100% irrigation level with paddy straw mulching has been emerged as the best treatment for maximizing yield of cucumber in sandy loam soil and for the climatic condition of the region where experiment was carried out. Looking from the yield and water use efficiency angles together, the best treatment was 75% irrigation with paddy straw mulching. It has been concluded that this simple and low cost micro sprinkler, despite its minor limitations, can be used effectively for irrigating most of the vegetable crops of Kerala.
Open Access
Development of process protocol for garcinia cambogia power
(Department of postharvest technology and agricultural processing, Kelappaji College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, Tavanur, 2012) Sunitha, C P; KAU; Santhi, Mary Mathew
The major problem faced by the farmers regarding the processing of Garcinia cambogia is difficulty in drying of this fruit as the harvesting period coincides with the southwest monsoon also if not processed quickly fungal infection may takes place. And the currently adopted sun drying method takes long time and affects the quality of the product. Drying of Garcinia cambogia juice into powdered particles gives a considerable reduction in volume, easy to use and is an effective method for prolonging the shelf life. Therefore, a research study was conducted to develop a process protocol for Garcinia cambogia powder from the fresh fruit itself. Powder samples were obtained by drying the Garcinia cambogia juice using spray dryer (atomizer speeds 17000rpm and 22000rpm, inlet air temperature 175 and 180oC and feed flow rates 5, 5,5 and 6 l/h), tray drying (at 60, 70 and 80oC) and vacuum tray drying (40, 45 and 50oC) techniques. Garcinia cambogia juice at 120brix was used to prepare the fruit juice powder. In order to reduce the stickiness and also to increase the yield of the powder, maltodextrin (15% based on sensory evaluation, moisture content and solubility) the most widely used additive was used. The method of drying parameter was optimized on the basis of quality of the powder such as moisture content, total solids, colour, acid value, pH, bulk density solubility index and wettability. The quality of the powder obtained using spray dryer at an inlet air temperature of 1800 C, speed of the atomizer 22000 rpm and feed rate as 5.5 l/h (with an average particle size (8 μm), bulk density (0.412 3 g/cm ), moisture content (3.5939%wb) and total solids (96.407) was superior to those obtained by vacuum tray dried and tray dried product. So spray drying was selected as the best method for the production of Garcinia cambogia powder which have a storability of above 7 months with good reconstitution properties (wetting time, 80 S) and solubility index ,<0.1mm ).

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