SOME ENGINEERING PROPERTIES OF MAIZE PLANTS, EARS AND KERNELS UNDER DIFFERENT IRRIGATION SYSTEMS

An experiment was conducted for !WO growing seasons at the Experimental
Farm of Faculty of Agriculture. Ain Shams University (loamy clay soli). to study the
effect of different irrigation systems on some physical-engineering propertias of zea
maize. Sprinkler. pivot. surface and subsurface dl1p and modfied surface (gated
pipes) irrigation systems were selected for this study.
Data revealed that the ear and kernel dimensions. length and width of kernel
were better when using sub-surface drip than those under other irrigation systems,
while the kernel thickness was nol affected significantly due to different irrigation
systems. Geometry diameter and spherecity. which may be considered the main
criteria for grain separation and sieving operations, show significant effect with
different irrigation systems. Ear weight. hectoliter weight of kernels, seed index and
kernel coefficient were affected significantly with different irrigation systems or other
agricultural. practices tested at the site. These properties are quite important
characteristics concerning kernel storage, oeratlon and drying. Moisture content of
kernet and ear, as the grain storage Guslity parameter was higher under sprinkler
irrigation system than that under the other irrigation systems.
Angle of repose. coefficient of friction. shelling energy. broken percent,
bruised percentage and germination of kernels were affected SignifICantly with
different irrigation systems. while shelling effi&iency was not affected significantly
with different Irrigation systems. On the other hand. the maximum energy required
for kernels shelling was 0.85 Joule when using sprinkler irrigation system, while the
minimum energy required for kernels shelling was 0.65 Joule under pivot irrigation
system.
The lowest value of kernels visible damaged was 4% when using pivot
irrigation systems. while lhe highest value was 13 % sprinkler under irrigation
system. On the other hand, the lowest value of kemels invisible damaged was 23%
when using pivot irrigation systems, while the highest value was 37% under sprinkler
and drip surface or subsurface irrigation systems.