Temperature and Humidity in Air Drying for Soybeans (Part 1)

Theory and Proof of Seed-coat Cracking and Occurrence of Swelling

Abstract

Seed-coat cracking of soybeans occurs easily during the process of air drying. In order to determine the relationship between external air temperature/humidity and distortions in seed-coat cracked grains, the rates of seed-coat cracking of soybeans subjected to mono-layer drying were investigated under various air drying conditions of different temperature and humidity combinations, and the critical distortions were estimated. Based on the results, the required temperature and humidity conditions of air passing through deep bed of soybeans for minimizing coat cracking and preventing swelling due to high air temperature were clarified.