THE EFFECT OF MOISTURE CONTENT ON SOME PHYSICAL an‎d AERODYNAMIC PROPERTIES OF PEANUT an‎d ITS RESIDUES

Physical and aerodynamic properties often required for designing the equipments for planting, harvesting, and pos-harvesting operations. Several physical and aerodynamic properties of peanut variety (Giza-4) were evaluated as a function of moisture content at four moisture contents levels (3.97, 15.89, 27.03, and 37.8% w.b.) for pods and (8.11, 17.9, 44.16, and 65.5% w.b.) for stalk pieces. The results showed a linear increase in mass from (0.68 to 1.66 gm) and from (1.67 to 2.58 gm) for stalk and pods respectively with increasing moisture content. The highest values of mean diameter and length were 0.46 and15.84 mm at moisture content 65.5 and 17.9% for stalk, whereas mean diameter and length were 1.61 and 3.68 mm at moisture content 37.8% for pods. Terminal velocity of peanut pods varied from 11.6 - 12.79 m/s, whereas terminal velocity of stalk ranged between 5.23 - 7.68 m/s. The highest values of terminal velocity obtained for pods and stalk were 12.79 and 7.68 m/s at moisture content 37.8 and 65.5% respectively, although the lowest values of terminal velocity were 11.6 and 5.23 at moisture content 3.97 and 8.11% for pods and stalks respectively. The effect of moisture content on terminal velocity of peanut pods and their stalk showed a linear increase with increasing moisture content.