Determination of Important Physical Properties and Water Absorption Capacities of Three Ttraditional Paddy Varieties in Sri Lanka

Abstract

Attached

Three Sri Lankan traditional pdddy vdHetii (Kahawaiiu, Suwandall and Hangimuttan) were subjected to an experiment to determine physical properties ijltd vatcl absorption capacities. Physical Properties such as dimensions and grain masses were measured using laboratory t' s' niHliud whereas, other properties were calculated based on lelationship equations. Major dimensions (Length, Width and I liiel lies.1' 1000 grain weight, geometrical mean diameter, sUil'acf area, volume, sphericity and aspect ratio were sigiiill' anll diHerein (p<0.05) among paddy varieties. While silnilitl physicdl properties (p>0.05) were also observed Watei ilhs<■<ptioii capacities were investigated by steeping paddy siimjlleS ill water, controlled at 70 "C. Respective sample having different holding times, were drawn timely fur the mdistuir analysis. As a result of steeping, moisture contents ol nadd\ samples had been increased to various levels (p 0.0) Although rapid moisture increment was observed 111 the lliitlfil stage of steeping. Subsequently, rate ol absorption v. is declined by reaching to the equilibiiuni whole tile liydialimi rate was insignificant (P>0.05). All paddy varietiesre|iorted their highest water holding capacities alter 5 Ituul'S Ol sll epillg and were ranged from 20.01% to 30.48% ' 1' ' While Suwandall recorded the highest water absorption; KamiwaHit recorded the lowest. The varietal different alid 1 pill|i|I1" were significantly influenced (P<0.05) on water absorption capacities in paddy.