Effects of post-harvest bulk management system using rice processing complex on labor saving and quality of barley

摘要

Postharvest treatment for barley production requires many steps (drying, cleaning, and packing) and needs high labour input. Rice processing complex (RPC) is useful for postharvest management system in rice production but not in barley production. This study was conducted to explore the difference on the quality of barley and labour saved when using the conventional method and bulk-management system in postharvest by RPC. The sorting rate obtained through manual method and bulk management did not differ. The hardness of non-polished grain ranged from 10175 to 10329 g/3.14 mm2. The water absorption ratio, swelling ratio, and water soluble extracts by circulated or continuous drier was higher in manual drying using solar heating. Labour input per hafor each cultivation process in bulk-management of barley using RPC was 21 h, and 46 h/ha in the conventional method, which corresponds to 54.3% savings in labour input.