Effect of Moisture Content and Grain Variety on Frictional Properties and Specific Heat Capacity of Acha (Fonio) Grains

There are many varieties of acha, but the most prominent two are white acha (Digitaria exilis) and brown acha (Digitaria iburua). This study was undertaken to determine the static coefficient of friction, kinetic coefficient of friction and specific heat of the grains as influenced by moisture content. The moisture levels considered were 5, 11, 23 and 28% db for the white variety and 5, 9, 21 and 30% db. The study revealed that increase in moisture content resulted to increase in the value of the properties considered for both varieties, with the white acha showing the highest values. Static coefficient of friction increased linearly with moisture content and had maximum values of 0.49 - 0.62 for the brown variety and 0.52-0.66 for the white variety all on steel sheet, while the minimum values for both varieties were on glass surface. Kinetic coefficient of friction increased linearly with moisture content and the highest value was obtained on hessian bag material (0.62-0.66) with the least being on steel sheet (0.58-0.64) for the two acha grain varieties. The study further revealed that, specific heat capacity of acha grains increased with increase in moisture content from 2.93 – 11.29 kJ/kgK (5 – 28% db) for the white variety and from 2.33 – 13.88 kJ/kgK (5 – 30% db) for brown variety. This study concludes that variety and changes in moisture content significantly affected the determined properties of acha

Physical properties of four varieties of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) grain at different moisture contents

This study was undertaken to determine the physical properties of four varieties of sorghum grain and investigate their variation with moisture content. The properties studied include: axial dimensions, arithmetic mean and geometric mean diameters, one thousand grain weight, particle density, bulk density, porosity and angle of repose. Each property was investigated at four moisture levels in the range of 3.5-18.25% d.b (brown variety), 3.04-25.49% d.b (red variety), 3.5-20% d.b (reddish brown variety) and 3.4-25.49% d.b (white variety). The major, intermediate and minor dimensions all increased with increase in moisture content from 4.25-5.04mm, 4.10-4.76mm and 2.80-2.99mm for brown, 3.78-4.32mm, 2.96-3.43mm and 1.95-2.85mm for red, 4.25-5.21mm, 4.11-4.99mm, 3.61-3.77mm for reddish brown, 4.0-5.38mm, 3.20-4.99mm and 3.00-3.48mm for white variety. The arithmetic mean diameter had higher values for the four varieties than the geometric mean diameter. One thousand grain weight, bulk density, true density, porosity, and angle of repose of all the varieties of sorghum studied, increased linearly with increase in moisture content. Regression models with high coefficients of determination were used to express the relationship existing between the physical properties of the grains with moisture content

DRAFT ANIMAL POWER UTILIZATION IN TILLAGE OPERATIONS IN BORNO STATE, NIGERIA

ABSTRACT The study was conducted in some selected Local Government Areas of Borno state, Nigeria on the use of animal power in tillage operations. Ninety-one per cent of the farmers interviewed (117) owned only a single pair of draft animals, while only 9% had two pairs. All the farmers used bulls for their tillage operations and donkeys for transportation. The study showed that farmers used draft animals for only ridging, weeding and transportation. 75% of the farmers used draft animals for ridging, 20% for weeding and 5% for transportation. The area cultivated by individual farmers varied between 1.5-6 ha. The farmers complained on lack of feed at the beginning of rainy season, poor quality of implements and lack of extension services. The study suggested for the introduction of extension services and the possibility of extending the use of animal power to other farming operations in the study area

Design of wastewater stabilization pond for the University of Maiduguri

The objective of this study was to design a wastewater stabilization pond for the treatment of wastewater in the University of Maiduguri. Relevant design parameters viz: flow, Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), faecal coli forms, temperature, permissible volumetric BOD loading, hydraulic retention time, particle size distribution, optimum moisture content, maximum dry density and saturated hydraulic conductivity of the soil were determined. The projected population of the design area is 48,590. The calculated BOD of the wastewater is 196 g/m3, since this value is greater than 25 g/m3, it has to be treated before discharge as specified by the Council for the European Communities. Permissible volumetric loading of 350 g/m3d corresponding to the designed temperature (31.8 0C) was used. The designed anaerobic pond volume and area are 8,778 m3 and 2,949 m2 respectively. The designed surface BOD loading and the hydraulic retention time for the facultative pond are 467 kg/ha/d and 4 days respectively. The effluent BOD of the maturation pond with an area of 23408 m2 is less than the 25 g/m3 maximum standard required by Council for the European Communities, thus it is safe. The quality of the final effluent in terms of BOD and faecal coliform (8.3 g/m3 and 16 FC/100ml) are within the World Health Organisation standard which indicates that the design is satisfactory to meet the specified objective

Effects of Tillage Treatments on Weed Control in a Maize Field on Sandy Loam Soil of North Eastern Nigeria

This study was carried out to determine the effects of tillage treatments; namely: zero-tillage (T1), disc ploughing (T2), disc harrowing (T3) and disc ploughing followed by disc harrowing (T4) on weed control in a maize field.  Plant height (cm), weed density (No/m2) and fresh weed weight i.e. weed biomass (g/m2) were measured at various growth stages of the crop, while grain yield (Kg/ha) was determined after harvest. The study was conducted in 1999 and 2000 farming seasons. The results showed that there were significant differences between tillage treatments for all the measured parameters in both years. The grain yield increased by 34and 36% for the year 1999 and 2000 respectively when treatments T1 and T4 were compared. A reduction in weed density at harvest by 57 and 52% in 1999 and 2000 respectively was obtained when treatments T1 and T4 were compared.  Also, there was a 53 and 34% reduction in 1999 and 2000 respectively for the weed biomass when these two treatments were compared. It was recommended that treatment T4 be adapted for better weed contro

Physical Properties of two Acha varieties as a function of Moisture Content

"Acha" is a cereal crop of West African origin belonging to the family graminaea. There are many varieties of Acha, but the most prominent two are the white Acha (Digitaria exillis) and brown Acha (Digitaria iburua). Acha is used in the production of food and beverages, and manufacture of medicines. The grain therefore, has immense economic values. However, the mechanization of Acha processing has been limited by shortage of data on its physical properties that would aid the design of equipment for its post-harvest operations. Therefore, this study was undertaken to determine the variation of bulk density, particle size distribution, porosity, solid density, angle of repose and one thousand grain mass of the two varieties of the crop with moisture content. The moisture content range within which the study was conducted was 5 - 30% (d.b) for both white and brown variety. Results showed that as the moisture content of the two varieties of Acha increased, there was decrease in bulk density, porosity and solid density. However, increase in moisture content increased the 1000-grain mass and angle of repose of both varieties, with the values for white Acha being higher than those of brown Acha. The operation and adjustment of any Acha processing and storage equipment would therefore require a consideration of the variety and moisture content to obtain good performance

Grain Milling Machine. Paper I: Design and Construction

A work was carried out on the design and construction of a motorized grain milling machine. The machine was designed using auto-CAD, version 2012 and constructed in the Department of Agricultural and Environmental Resources Engineering, University of Maiduguri in 2013. The machine consists of main components that include the frame, Petrol engine (Prime mover), Milling compartment and the hopper. The various compnents were designed and constructed according to specifications given in the literature. The components were assemblied together to obtain the required machine. The total cost of producing the machine was about N40, 000 only, equivalent to USD 160 as at June 2013. The machine is recommended for small holders, local processors, rural farmers and for domestic use. The performance efficiencies will be presented in the next paper

Evaluation of suitability of tube well water for irrigation in Maiduguri Metropolitan, Borno State, Nigeria

Groundwater contamination is gaining more concerns due to its direct and/or indirect impact on public health. Groundwaters from various sources are commonly used to irrigate vegetables in Maiduguri, Borno State. In this study, the physicochemical qualities of groundwater collected from 20 randomly selected tube wells in Maiduguri were evaluated for their suitability or otherwise for irrigation purposes. Selected wells were extensively used as sources of irrigation water. Standard procedures were followed during the analysis. The results revealed that the mean values of pH (6.6 to 8.0), calcium (2.6 to 5.2 meq/l), magnesium (2.6 to 5.0 meq/l), sodium (2.2 to 7.5 meq/l), carbonate (0.5 to 1.3 meq/l) , bicarbonate (1.8 to 5.2 meq/l), chloride ( 0.9 to 2.9 meq/l), sulphate (2.8 to 9.8 meq/l), potassium (0.3 to 0.9 mg/l), Boron (0.1 to 0.6 meq/l) and nitrogen (1.9 to 4.8 mg/l) were all found to be within the acceptable limit for suitability of water for irrigation use based on Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) recommendations. The results further revealed that, the values of electrical conductivity (0.3 to 0.7 ds/m), total dissolved solids (192 to 448 mg/l), sodium adsorption ratio (0.40 to 3.62), residual sodium carbonate (-1.3 to -7.6 meq/l), magnesium adsorption ratio (35.80 to 49.06%) and Kelly ratio (0.10 to 0.90) of the samples were within the safe limit recommended for irrigation water use. The quality of tube well waters in the study area can thus be regarded as good, and suitable for irrigation purposes, but similar analysis should be conducted on a routine basis to monitor the qualities of the waters toward safeguarding public health

Physical Properties of Four Varieties of Sorghum (Sorghum Bicolor L. Moench) Grain at Different Moisture Contents

This study was undertaken to determine the physical properties of four varieties of sorghum grain and investigate their variation with moisture content. The properties studied include: axial dimensions, arithmetic mean and geometric mean diameters, one thousand grain weight, particle density, bulk density, porosity and angle of repose. Each property was investigated at four moisture levels in the range of 3.5-18.25% d.b (brown variety), 3.04-25.49% d.b (red variety), 3.5-20% d.b (reddish brown variety) and 3.4-25.49% d.b (white variety). The major, intermediate and minor dimensions all increased with increase in moisture content from 4.25-5.04mm, 4.10-4.76mm and 2.80-2.99mm for brown, 3.78-4.32mm, 2.96-3.43mm and 1.95-2.85mm for red, 4.25-5.21mm, 4.11-4.99mm, 3.61-3.77mm for reddish brown, 4.0-5.38mm, 3.20-4.99mm and 3.00-3.48mm for white variety. The arithmetic mean diameter had higher values for the four varieties than the geometric mean diameter. One thousand grain weight, bulk density, true density, porosity, and angle of repose of all the varieties of sorghum studied, increased linearly with increase in moisture content. Regression models with high coefficients of determination were used to express the relationship existing between the physical properties of the grains with moisture content. &nbsp