International Journal of Environmental Science and Development

Abstract—A frequency-based capacitance type grain probe moisture meter was developed, as a low-cost alternative tool for accurate and rapid moisture content measurement of paddy grains in bags. The prototype unit consisted of a standard grain probe; a 100-gram capacity test chamber; a grain selector panel for overall control and measurement; and a handle for ease of sampling. Calibration models between frequency and dry oven method moisture contents were established and validated with a relatively high coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.94. Laboratory and actual field testing conducted between moisture content readings of grain probe moisture meter and standard reference oven method resulted to mean absolute error of 0.24. Likewise, field testing results conducted revealed a mean percentage error of 3.9 percent, an indication of a highly acceptable level of accuracy based on standards set by the National Institute of Standard and Technology (NIST) and United States Department of Agriculture – Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (USDA-GIPSA). Initial fabrication cost of the prototype unit grain probe moisture meter was approximately US$ 100.00 which is very competitive with existing imported popular brands of grain moisture meters with investment cost ranging from US$ 750.00 to above US$ 4,000.00 The prototype unit grain probe moisture meter has the advantage of simultaneously performing grain sampling and moisture content determination. Likewise, the grain probe meter can potentially save time and effort in moisture assessment and most importantly ensure the procurement of quality grains, ease in MC monitoring of stocks during storage and MC validation before storage and milling.

Index Terms—Capacitance, frequency-based, moisture, meter, paddy.

The authors are with the Agricultural Mechanization Division (AMD) of the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PHilMech). Philippine (e-mail: arlyn1111@gmail.com).

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Cite: Arlene C. Joaquin, Maria Elizabeth V. Ramos, and Romualdo C. Martinez, "Development and Performance Evaluation of a Grain Probe Moisture Meter for Paddy," International Journal of Environmental Science and Development vol. 10, no. 10, pp. 350-355, 2019.

Copyright © 2019 by the authors. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited (CC BY 4.0).