Nitin KumarSachin2024-05-012024-05-012023https://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810208518The investigation entitled “Development of image processing based automated grader for kinnow mandarin (Citrus reticulata L.)” was carried out to study the maturity indices of kinnow mandarin based on physical properties for quality evaluation. Relationships between physical, quality, image processing parameters and the maturity stages were evaluated via different statistical tools i.e. MATLAB curve fitting, SPSS (Duncan’s Multiple Range Test), OriginPro software statistical tools etc. The maturity indices from first January to first February was found and corresponding maturity standards of the kinnow based on the analysis of the physical parameters and chemical parameters were concluded i.e. fruit color (L: 76.85±3.29 to 86.23±3.30, a: 38.76±1.50 to 61.56±2.00, b: 75.91±3.33 to 81.22±4.13), fruit weight: 181.34±1.42 to 185.67±2.03 g, peel thickness 4.44±0.07 to 4.69±0.08 mm, peel weight: 26.51±0.12 to 27.54±0.44 %, fruit firmness: 5.78±0.73 to 6.22±1.12 kgf, fruit volume: 172.45±1.70 to 183.87±0.58 ml, sphericity: 0.89±0.04 to 0.91±0.05, TSS: 11.11±0.81 to 12.01±0.93 °Brix, TA: 0.83±0.02 to 0.86±0.07 g/100 ml, Juice %: 46.32±2.11 to 47.78±0.80 %, MI: 12.92±0.21 to 14.41±0.48; AA: 22.66±0.97 to 24.97±1.19 mg/100 ml; pH: 4.29±0.04 to 4.42±0.10. The study was also taken to develop image processing based grader for kinnow mandarin fruit, performance evaluation and cost economics of the grader. The best combination was found at 96 m/min conveyor speed and with 300 lux light intensity of the chamber for maximum output of the kinnow grader and it was resulted in term of system capacity, grading efficiency and performance index which was found as 430 kg/h, 92.12 % and 19.63. The independent parameter was found having a significant effect on the performance of the grader and the cost economics was also found i.e. payback period 68 days, break-even point after grading of 20505 kg kinnow fruits, benefit cost ratio was 5.38. The grader was also compared with manual grading and benefit ratio was found 3.1 which was around three times more beneficial than manual grading. The grader was found helpful for effective grading of kinnow fruits and can be used by the farmers as well as the entrepreneurs.EnglishThesis