Comparison of the performance of different types of grain moisture measurement devices in determining moisture content of grain corn

Accurate and fast determination of grain moisture content, which is considered as one of the important cost and quality parameters in the harvesting, post-harvest processing, storage and marketing stages of grains, is among the very important issues in agricultural production. Nowadays, different types of hand-held portable moisture measuring devices are widely used in the market to determine the moisture content of grains. Determining the accuracy and sensitivity of these devices and investigating the factors affecting these variables will significantly contribute to the calibration and performance of the devices. In this study, the accuracy and sensitivity levels of some grain moisture measuring devices commonly used in the Turkish market at different moisture measurement ranges were tested. Additionally, the parameters affecting the measurement accuracy and sensitivity of these devices were examined. For this purpose, three different commercial moisture measuring devices (KETT PM-450 Pouring, Wile 55 Squeeze, Pfeuffer HE Lite grinding) were used to determine the moisture content of corn kernels in six different moisture ranges ((%11-12, %16-17, %20-21, %24-25, %28-29 and %30-31 w.b.). The accuracy and error rates of the data obtained from these measuring devices were tested using the reference oven method. Additionally, the effect of product temperature and types on the measurement results of the devices was investigated. In order to determine the effect of corn variety on the moisture measurement device results, the measurement results of the PM-450 device of seven different corn varieties with moisture content of 12-13% were compared with the reference oven drying method. Likewise, PM-450 measurement results of samples obtained by bringing corn grains with 16% moisture content to four different temperatures (17-18 °C, 20-21 °C, 25-26 °C, 32- 33 °C) was compared with the results obtained with the reference oven method. As a result of the study, it was seen that the moisture content, temperature and variety characteristics of corn kernels had a significant effect on the accuracy and sensitivity of moisture measuring instruments. Therefore, it has been observed that it is very important to calibrate these devices that used to determine the moisture content of grains to make accurate and precise measurements according to product characteristics.