The Effect of Microwave Drying Parameters on the Germination of Wheat Seeds

摘要

In order to prevent germination damage of harvested wheat seeds, faster drying techniques are preferred. Microwave drying is considered an energy efficient technique to achieve this goal. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of microwave (MW) drying on germination of wheat, using a domestic microwave oven. Wheat samples with initial moisture levels of 15 to 25% wet basis were dried under MW power density ranging from 7 to 20 W/g for 6 min. A mathematical model was developed by coupling the microwave drying and convective drying, resulting in a system of non-linear equations. The results showed that rate of drying increased with increase in the initial moisture content of wheat seeds. The percentage of germination of wheat decreased with the increase of the MW power density at each initial moisture content. The predicted temperature of grain during drying with the power density of 10 W/g did not exceed 65°C, which is considered safe for preserving the germination of wheat seeds. Microwave energy can be safely used for faster drying of wheat seeds.