Abstract: The design related physical properties of six-selected Improved Institute for Agricultural Research Maize varieties were investigated. The properties will enhance design and development of production, processing and storage equipment for the crop. The mean results obtained for the different collections ranged from 7.42 to 15.63%, 8.2mm to 10.4mm, 7.1 to 9.1mm, 4.0mm to 5.0mm, 6.6mm to 7.2mm, 133mm2to 161mm2,  0.62% to 0.81%, 0.46% to0.82%, 692.42kg/m3to 747.86kg/m3, 1162.54kg/m3 to1447.7kg/m3,37.79%to 46.69%,  203.62g to 306.86g, 170.09mm3to 234.59mm3, 35.8

A N Jibril

M H Kabir

M I Binni

S C Moses

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IOSR Journal of Agriculture and Veterinary Science (IOSR-JAVS)  
e-ISSN: 2319-2380, p-ISSN: 2319-2372. Volume 9, Issue 8 Ver. II (Aug. 2016), PP 12-15  
www.iosrjournals.org 
DOI: 10.9790/2380-0908021215                                          www.iosrjournals.org                                    12 | Page 
 
Determination of Some Selected Physical Properties of Different 
Maize Varieties (Zea Mays) Related to Design of Processing 
Machines of Nigeria 
 
M.H.Kabir
1
, S.C. Moses
2
, M.I. Binni
3
, A.N.Jibril
4 
1,3
M.Tech Students, Farm Machinery and Power Engineering,VSAET,Sam Higginbottom Institute of 
Agriculture, Technology and Sciences, (Deemed-to-be-University) Allahabad-211007, U.P, India). 
2
Associate professor,Farm Machinery and Power Engineering, VSAET,Sam Higginbottom Institute of 
Agriculture,Technology and Sciences, (Deemed-to-be-University) Allahabad-211007, U.P, India). 
4
M. Tech Student, Agricultural Process and Food Engineering, VSAET,Sam Higginbottom Institute of 
Agriculture, Technology and Sciences, (Deemed-to-be-University) Allahabad-211007, U.P, India). 
 
Abstract: The design related physical properties of six-selected Improved Institute for Agricultural Research 
Maize varieties were investigated. The properties will enhance design and development of production, 
processing and storage equipment for the crop. The mean results obtained for the different collections ranged 
from 7.42 to 15.63%, 8.2mm to 10.4mm, 7.1 to 9.1mm, 4.0mm to 5.0mm, 6.6mm to 7.2mm, 133mm2to 161mm2, 
0.62% to 0.81%, 0.46% to0.82%, 692.42kg/m3to 747.86kg/m3, 1162.54kg/m3 to1447.7kg/m3,37.79%to 46.69%, 
203.62g to 306.86g, 170.09mm3to 234.59mm3, 35.8o to 46.6ofor moisture contents, length, width, thickness, 
equivalent diameter, surface area, sphericity, roundness, bulk density, solid density, porosity, one thousand seed 
weight, volume and angle of repose respectively. The result revealed minor variations in some of the physical 
parameters determined indicating that differences in varieties are not very important in equipment design and 
development. 
Keywords: Angle of repose, sphericity, porosity, roundness, bulk density, solid density 
 
I. Introduction 
Maize or corn is the most important cereal crop in sub-Saharan Africa and with rice and wheat, one of 
the three most important cereal crops in the  world. Maize is high  yielding, easy to process, readily digested, 
and cheaper than other cereals. It is also a versatile crop, growing across a range of ecological zones. Every part 
of the maize plant has economic value, the grain , the leaves, stalk, tassel and cob can all be used  to produce a 
large  variety of food  and Non-food products. In industrialized countries, maize is largely used  as a livestock 
feed and as a raw material for industrial products, while in developing countries ,it is mainly used for human 
consumption. Maize has been in diet  of Nigerians for centuries, despite  that the production systems in sub-
Saharan Africa (to which Nigeria belongs) often lack use of mechanized operations.(Wikipedia.,011). 
In many parts of Northern Nigeria De-husking is still done by hand and threshing is either done by the 
use of hands, stick or mortar and pestle. There are small to medium scale processing equipment but their usage 
are still limited to few locations. With new varieties of seed some of these equipment will definitely need 
upgrading. Looking at the traditional production system, a lot of energy and time would be wasted if large scale 
production is to be done. Hence  an improved process of utilizing the limited time available and equally 
reducing the energy demand is essential. To achieve this, determination of physical properties will help in the 
design and development of large scale processing equipment that would reduce the processing time,labor, as 
well as production losses. This would improve the process, add value and quality to the seeds.The main 
objective of this study was to determine some selected design related physical properties of Improved Maize 
seed varieties released by Institute for Agricultural Research, IAR, Samaru, Zaria. 
 
II. Materials And Methods 
2.1: Samples Selection and Preparation 
The samples used in this study were provided by Institute for Agricultural Research, Ahmadu Bello 
University, Zaria, and Kaduna-state, Nigeria. Six collections of maize seeds, namely:(Sammaz 17,Sammaz 28, 
Sammaz 29,Sammaz 32,Sammaz 33 and Sammaz 36) were used for the study. All the collections were manually 
cleaned to free the seeds from dirt, dust, stones, damaged/immature seeds and other foreign materials. 
 
2.2: Experimental Procedure 
Thirty seeds were randomly selected from each variety for determining three major dimensions (length, 
width, thickness). A micrometer screw gauge having a sensitivity of 0.01mm was used to obtain the dimension 
Determination Of Design Related Physical Properties    Of Different Maize Varieties Of Nigeria 
DOI: 10.9790/2380-0908021215                                          www.iosrjournals.org                                    13 | Page 
of the sizes. 
 
2.3: Equivalent diameter and Sphericity 
This was determined using the equation given by (mohsenin, 1986) as: 
De = (LWT)
 1/3 
,            O= De/L = (LWT)/L 
Where: D
e
= Equivalent Diameter(mm) and O = Sphericity, L = Length,(mm), W=width,(mm), T= 
Thickness,(mm). Equivalent diameter was computed thirty times. 
2.4: Roundness and Surface Area 
Roundness was determined using an overhead projector, five replications were done. The seed was 
projected on a graph paper such that the largest projected area of the seed material in natural rest position(AP) 
was obtained and the area of smallest circumscribing circle (AC) was also obtained. Surface area was also 
determined using an overhead projector, Sample of seeds was projected on a graph paper, the surface area was 
calculated by counting the number of boxes .(Mohsenin,1986). 
Roundness = (AP/AC), The measurement was replicated five times. 
 
2.5: Solid density, Bulk density and Porosity 
In case of solid density the following relationship given by Mohsenin (1986) was used. The seed 
volume was determined using a measuring cylinder. A known weight of  the seed was dropped into the 
measuring cylinder containing water. The volume of the seed was determined from the displaced volume, where 
as the bulk density was determined from the following relationship given by (waziri and mittal.,1986): 
Pb = M/Vb
     ,  
Ps = M/Vu 
Where; PS = Solid density (kg/m
3
) ,        Pb = Bulk density (kg/m
3
) 
m= mass of material (kg) ,   Vu = Unit volume( m
3 
),Vb= Bulk volume(m
3
 ) 
Porosity of the seed was computed from the values of solid and bulk density of the seeds by using the 
relationship given by (Mohsenin,1986): 
P = {(1-(Pb/Ps) X100} , 
Where; P = Porosity (%),            Pb= Bulk density (kg/m
3
),    Ps = Solid density (kg/m
3
). 
2.6: Seed volume and Moisture Content 
The Samples volume were calculated from the following relationship: 
Volume ={ ( weight of displaced kerosene (kg))/Weight density of kerosene (kg/m
3
)} 
The Moisture contents was determined by oven drying method, samples of known weight was stored in an oven 
at a temperature of 105o for about 15  hours. Moisture Contents was computed by the following equation. 
M = {Wm/ ( Wm+ Wd)}X100 
Where :  M = Wet basis moisture contents expressed in  (%) 
Wd = Mass of dry matter (kg) 
Wm = Mass of moisture (kg) 
Five replications were made for each variety. 
2.7: Angle of Repose 
In this method, a frame box was mounted on a flat wooden surface. The box was filled to two third 
capacity, placed on the flat surface and then gently lifted until the seeds began to slide. The angle the surface 
made with the horizontal just before the seedsbegan to slide was measured as the angle of repose for the material. 
This was replicated five times for each variety. 
 
Determination Of Design Related Physical Properties    Of Different Maize Varieties Of Nigeria 
DOI: 10.9790/2380-0908021215                                          www.iosrjournals.org                                    14 | Page 
III. Statistical Analysis 
The measured data were subjected to descriptive statistics such as mean, standard deviation and coefficient of 
variation. 
 
3.1: Results and Discussion 
Table 3.2: The summary of the results for the measured design related physical properties. 
Parameter Sammaz 
17 
Sammaz 
28 
Sammaz 
29 
Sammaz 
32 
Sammaz 
33 
Sammaz 
36 
Length(cm) 0.97 0.82 1.04 0.87 1.04 1.03 
Width(cm) 0.82 0.71 0.91 0.81 0.85 0.84 
Thickness(cm) 0.41 0.50 0.40 0.46 0.43 0.42 
Equivalent diameter(cm) 0.69 0.66 0.72 0.68 0.72 0.71 
Surface Area(cm2) 1.61 1.33 1.54 1.35 1.48 1.58 
Bulk density(kg/m3) 747.86 725.72 737.18 720.78 692.42 719.66 
Solid density(kg/m3) 1447.7 1172.27 1265.7 1248.76 1287.16 1162.54 
One thousand Seed Weight (g) 241.35 230.62 244.35 203.62 265.82 306.86 
Volume(mm3) 204.85 197.48 207.78 170.09 225.19 234.59 
Angle of Repose(degrees) 43.6 37.6 44.4 35.8 44.8 46.6 
Moisture Contents (%) 9.73 8.18 13.89 7.42 14.15 15.63 
Sphericity (%) 71 81 70 76 62 72 
Roundness (%) 69.50 82.32 46.07 75.88 55.66 57.12 
Porosity (%) 46.69 38.08 41.58 41.64 44.91 37.79 
 
Table 3.3: Summary of Means, Standard deviations and Coefficient of Variations 
Parameter Mean Standard Deviation 
(S.D) 
Coefficient of Variation 
(C.V) 
Moisture Contents(%) 11.5 3.18 27.65 
Length(cm) 0.96 0.09 9.4 
Width(cm) 0.82 0.06 7.32 
Thickness(cm) 0.44 0.03 6.82 
Equivalent Diameter(cm) 0.69 0.02 2.89 
Surface Area(cm2) 1.48 0.11 7.43 
Sphericity(%) 72 5.80 8.06 
Roundness(%) 64.43 12.6 19.55 
Bulk Density(kg/m3) 723.9 17.2 2.38 
Solid Density(kg/m3) 1264 94.2 7.45 
Porosity(%) 41.78 3.26 7.80 
One thousand(g) 241.9 45.7 18.89 
Angle of repose (degree) 42.13 3.98 9.45 
Volume(mm3) 206.7 20.6 9.97 
 
3.4: Comparison of Selected Design Related Physical Properties for the Different Collections 
a) Moisture Contents 
The mean values of moisture contents for the six collections were 7.42,15.63,8.18,13.89,9.73 and 14.15% 
with mean value and coefficient of variation of 11.5% and 27.65 as shown in 3.4 for Sammaz 32,36,28,29,17 
and 33 respectively. The results showed that there high variability in moisture contents as the coefficient of 
variation is not within the acceptable range of ) to 14%(Isiaka et al., 2006). 
 
b) Thousand seeds Weight 
The mean values of thousand seed weight for the six collections were 203.62g, 306.86g, 230.62g, 
244.35g, 265.82g with a mean value and coefficient of variation of 241.9g and 18.89%.The results indicated that 
there were high variability in seedssizes as the coefficient of variation is not within the acceptable range. 
 
c) Equivalent Diameter 
The mean values of equivalent diameter for the six collections were 6.9mm, 7.1mm, 6.6mm, 7.2mm, 
6.9mm and 7.2mm with a mean value and coefficient of variation of 6.9mm and 2.89% for Sammaz 32, 36, 28, 
29, 17 and 33 respectively. There was less variability in the equivalent diameter as the coefficient of variation 
was within the acceptable range of 0 to 14% (Isiaka, et al., 2006). 
 
d) Sphericity 
The mean values of sphericity for the six collections were 76,72,81,70,71 and 62% within a mean value 
and coefficient of variation of 72% and 8.33% for Sammaz 32,36,28,29,17 and 33 respectively. There was less 
variability in the sphericity as the coefficient of variation was within the acceptable range of 0 to 14%. 
 
Determination Of Design Related Physical Properties    Of Different Maize Varieties Of Nigeria 
DOI: 10.9790/2380-0908021215                                          www.iosrjournals.org                                    15 | Page 
e) Roundness 
The mean values of roundness for the six collections were 75.88,57.12,82.32,46.07,69.50 and 55.66 
with mean value and coefficient of variation of 64.43 and 19.55.The results showed that there were high 
variability in roundness as the coefficient of variation is not within the acceptable range. 
 
3.5: Summary and Recommendation 
3.5.1: Summary 
Some selected design related physical properties of six selected Institute for Agricultural Research Improved 
Maize Varieties were investigated. Results indicated that the length, width, thickness, equivalent diameter, 
surface area, sphericity, roundness, bulk density, solid density, porosity, volume and angle of repose from 8.2mm 
to 10.4mm,7.1mm to 9.1mm,4.0mm to 5.0mm,6.6mm to 7.2mm,133mm
2
 to 161mm
2
, 62% to 81%, 55.66% to 
82.32%, 692.42kg/m
3
 to 737.18kg/m
3
,1162.54kg/m
3
 to 1447.7kg/m
3
,37.79 to 46.69%170.09mm
3
 to 225.19mm
3
, 
35.8
o
 to 44.8
o
 respectively for the six collections. 
3.5.2: Recommendation 
1- There is need for a more comprehensive research on properties of other varieties of maize, not included in 
this work and for other grains. 
2- Mechanical and thermal properties need to be studied. This could assist in appropriate handling, processing 
and storage of maize crop for consumption and industrial usage. 
 
IV. Conclusions 
The following conclusion can be drawn from the study 
1- The results revealed that there variations in few of physical properties determined indicating that 
differences in varieties are not important in equipment design and development. 
2- The results of the study provide useful data that can be used to develop new equipment and also to upgrade 
the existing ones for handling, processing and storage of maize seeds found in Northwest ecological zone 
and other parts of Nigeria. 
 
References 
[1]. AjalaOyewole, IITA Maize Breeder and Project Leader,(http://www.modernghana.com/news/215980/1/maize production. 
[2]. Food and Agricultural Organisation ( FAO) of United Nations,2008.Economic and Social department: The Statistical division, 
Rome, Italy. 
[3]. Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO,2012) Production year book (2012) vol.38,Rome 
[4]. Isiaka and M.,A.M.I. El-okene and T.A.Oyedele,2006,Determination of Physical Properties of Melon Seeds, Proceedings of the 7th 
Internationational Conference of the NIAE,28:322-326. 
[5]. Mohsensin and N.N.,1986.Physical Properties of plant and animal materials 3rd ed. Gordon Breach Sciences Publishers, New York. 
[6]. Ndirika V.I.O and O.O Oyeleke (2006). Determination of Physical Properties and their relationship with Moisture Content for 
Millet ( pennisetumglaucum L.)Applied Engineering in Agriculture 22(2).American society of Agricultural and Biological 
Engineers. 
[7]. Obi IU (1991).Maize: Its Agronomy, Diseases, Pests and Food Values Optimal Computer Solutions Limited, Enugu 208 p. 
[8]. Ogunbodede BA, Olakajo SA (2001).Development of Striga Asiastica tolerant hybrid Maize (Zea Mays L.) Varieties: Tropical 
Agriculture Research and Extension 4(1):2001. 
[9]. United Nations Department of Agriculture,(USDA.,2012). http://www.indexmundi.com. 
[10]. Waziri, A.N and Mittal , J.P., (1983).Design Related Physical Properties of Selected Agricultural products AMA 2(1). 
[11]. Wikipedia and .,2011. The free Encyclopaedia Retrieved from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/maize variety. 


Determination of Some Selected Physical Properties of Different Maize Varieties (Zea Mays) Related to Design of Processing Machines of Nigeria

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Determination of Some Selected Physical Properties of Different Maize Varieties (Zea Mays) Related to Design of Processing Machines of Nigeria

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