Physical properties of large cardamom cultivated in north eastern Himalayan region of Sikkim, India

The large cardamom is one of the most important spice crops grown in Himalayan region of Sikkim, India.  The capsules of the harvested large cardamom are dried before consumption.  The paper presents the physical properties of  freshly harvested and dried large cardamom capsules.  The geometrical mean diameter, sphericity, bulk density and mean values of angle of repose of the freshly harvested large cardamom capsules were observed to be 18.53±1.73 mm, 0.76, 332.21±14.24 kg m-3 and 28.74±4.04°, respectively.  Whereas for dried large cardamom capsules the values were found to be 11.113±0.92 mm, 0.56, 393.109±9.622 kg m-3 and 29.84±2.93°, respectively.  The peak static coefficient of friction of freshly harvested large cardamom over mild steel, plywood and plastic film surfaces were 0.386, 0.463 and 0.359, respectively.  However, for dried large cardamom capsules, the observed values were 0.436, 0.394 and 0.155, respectively.   Keywords: large cardamom, spice crop, physical propertie

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Not AvailableA single-wheeled lab test setup with the dimension of the existing soil bin (30 m x 2.3m x 1.0) has been designed, analyzed and constructed for testing and comparing the performance of the tires. The main parts of the lab test setup include the mainframe, chassis, gearbox, 3- phase AC electric motor, counterbalancing unit, guide rails, and tire. Chassis is the most important part of the lab test setup which was designed in Creo parametric1.0 and analyzed in Creo simulation 1.0 using the static Finite element method (FEM). Chassis were kept loaded with a 10 kN Normal load. Results revealed that maximum von mises stress, displacement, and strain; developed on chassis was 237.5 MPa, 0.856 mm and 8.56×10-4 respectively. The chassis design was observed to be satisfactory for fabrication purposes. All the other components fabricated were mounted over the chassis and lab setup was completed. The electrical motor, motor speed controller and gearbox mounted over lab test setup provides variable rate forward and backward speed. Additional weights were used for changing the normal vertical loads on the lab test setup. The tires with the specification of maximum overall diameter up to 70 cm and maximum width up to 45 cm can be accommodated on the lab test setup.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableOptimization of the extrusion process for apple pomace blended snacks was done using RSM. A blend of apple pomace, maize and soy flour was extruded at five levels of moisture content (12.6-19.4%), barrel temperature (116-184 degrees C) and screw speed (232-568 rpm). The effects of these variables on product responses, viz. bulk density, expansion ration, colour, water absorption index, water solubility index, crispiness, sensory score of overall acceptance, and specific mechanical energy were determined and analyzed. Feed moisture had significant effect on all product responses, whereas screw speed and barrel temperature, both had significant effect on SME, ER and crispiness of the product. The response surface models fitted to all responses were highly significant, and had adequate precision more than 12 (>4 desirable), without having any lack of fit. Optimized extrusion parameters for preparation of quality snacks were 14% moisture, 130 degrees C barrel temperature and 300 rpm screw speed.Not Availabl

Studies on Operational and Plant Parameters Affecting the Deposition of Charged and Uncharged Spray Droplets on Cabbage Plant Canopy

The existing method of pesticide application has resulted in wastage of chemicals and environmental pollution. Electrostatic spray charging system for impregnation of charge on spray droplets and its subsequent transfer to the precise plant target can mitigate the problems in conventional spraying. The operational parameters of spraying system and plant characteristics play an important role in deposition of spray droplets on plant canopy. In view of that, an experimental electrostatically spray charging system was developed to assess the deposition on plant surface. At electrode voltage (4kV), flow rate (250 ml/min) deposition was maximum for forward speed (1.0 km/h) and height of application (0.55 m) at charge to mass ratio of 1.53 mC/kg

Studies on Operational and Plant Parameters Affecting the Deposition of Charged and Uncharged Spray Droplets on Cabbage Plant Canopy

5-12The existing method of pesticide application has resulted in wastage of chemicals and environmental pollution. Electrostatic spray charging system for impregnation of charge on spray droplets and its subsequent transfer to the precise plant target can mitigate the problems in conventional spraying. The operational parameters of spraying system and plant characteristics play an important role in deposition of spray droplets on plant canopy. In view of that, an experimental electrostatically spray charging system was developed to assess the deposition on plant surface. At electrode voltage (4kV), flow rate (250 ml/min) deposition was maximum for forward speed (1.0 km/h) and height of application (0.55 m) at charge to mass ratio of 1.53 mC/kg

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Not AvailableOptimization of the extrusion process for apple pomace blended snacks was done using RSM. A blend of apple pomace, maize and soy flour was extruded at five levels of moisture content (12.6–19.4%), barrel temperature (116–184oC) and screw speed (232–568 rpm). The effects of these variables on product responses, viz. bulk density, expansion ration, colour, water absorption index, water solubility index, crispiness, sensory score of overall acceptance, and specific mechanical energy were determined and analyzed. Feed moisture had significant effect on all product responses, whereas screw speed and barrel temperature, both had significant effect on SME, ER and crispiness of the product. The response surface models fitted to all responses were highly significant, and had adequate precision more than 12 (>4 desirable), without having any lack of fit. Optimized extrusion parameters for preparation of quality snacks were 14% moisture, 130oC barrel temperature and 300 rpm screw speed.Not Availabl