International Journal of Agricultural Engineering

G. S. Patange ¹, P. J. Thokale ², P. G. Popale ²

Affiliations
1 Farm Machinery Testing and Training Center, Mahatma Phule Agricultural University, Rahuri, Ahmednagar M.S., IN
2 AICRP on FIM, Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri, Ahmednagar M.S., IN

Abstract

Osmotic dehydration is the process of removal of water by immersion of water containing cellular solids in a concentrated aqueous solution of sugar or salt. This results in intermediate moisture product with lower water activity. At low water activity, most of chemical reactions, which deteriorate the food, growth and toxins production by microorganism, are ceased. The experiments were conducted to characterize the osmotic dehydration of banana with respect to drying behaviors and the quality of dehydrated product with syrup concentrations (50, 60 and 700B), slice thickness (6mm, 8mm and 10mm) and time of immersion (1 hr interval up to 12 hrs). The fruit to solution ratio was taken as 1:5(w/v). The maximum amount of weight reduction (g) was found at lower concentration 500 B for 10 mm slices and minimum amount of weight reduction (g) was found at lower concentration 700 B for 6 mm slices. The maximum amount of water reduction 50.97 % was found at 700 B and 6 mm thick slices. The minimum amount of water reduction 39.83 % was found at 500 B and 10 mm thick slices. The minimum amount of solid gain 3 % was found at 500 B and 6 mm thick slices. The maximum amount of solid gain 5.81 % was found at 700 B and 10 mm thick slices. The maximum amount of weight loss 54.42 % was found at 700B and 6 mm thick slices. The minimum amount of weight loss 43.79 % was found at 500B and 10 mm thick slices.

Keywords

Osmotic Dehydration, Weight Loss, Solid Gain, Banana

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A. D. Bhagat ¹, P. G. Popale ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering, Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri, Ahmednagar (M.S.), IN

Abstract

Pomegranate evapotranspiration determined by the effects of various weather conditions were incorporated into reference crop evapotranspiration and crop characteristics into crop co-efficient. The average ETr values over the 31 years were determined by Penman-Monteith method. The probability distributions that were fitted to ETr values are Log normal, Gumbel and Weibull's probability distribution functions. Chi-square test was performed to know the probability distribution of best fit. ETr values at 10 per cent to 90 per cent probability level for Penman- Monteith method using probability distribution of best fit. The values of reference crop evapotranspiration, crop co-efficient, area factor, water requirement and water to be applied would be useful for the irrigation water management of pomegranate. The water was applied through drip system at 90 per cent efficiency to pomegranate plantation spaced at 3 × 4.5 m. The result reveals, for Mrig bahar the total weekly water to be applied to pomegranate tree at 70 per cent probability level for 1^st to 5^th year was 112.44, 303.08, 761.64, 1058.5 and 1327.4 lit/year/tree, respectively.

Keywords

Reference Crop Evapotranspiration (ETr), Crop Co-Efficient (kc), Pomegranate Evapotranspiration (ETp), Mrig bahar, Water Requirement.

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A. D. Bhagat ¹, P. G. Popale ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering, Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri, Ahmednagar (M.S.), IN

Abstract

The study was carried out to evaluate the Ambe bahar of pomegranate for optimum production of pomegranate for Solapur district in the semi-arid zone of Maharashtra. Generally, for crop planning, rainfall analysis and water balance studies are required, to determine drought investigation, water requirement and water surplus/ deficit for better management of orchards. Rainfall is the major determinant of pomegranate production, especially in rain fed areas because the contribution of rain fed horticulture is almost half to the national production. Therefore, an attempt has been made to estimate the occurrence of drought. Data are classified into certain degrees of drought severity (Drought, normal and surplus) based on a number of truncation levels corresponding to specified mean values of the rainfall. Pomegranate evapotranspiration determined by the crop co-efficient (kc) approach where the effects of various weather conditions were incorporated into reference crop evapotranspiration and crop characteristics into crop co-efficient. The water to be applied through drip system at 90 per cent efficiency to pomegranate plantation spaced at 3 x 4.5 m.The water balance parameters and climatic shift in Ambe bahar of pomegranate for 14 stations of Solapur district were estimated. Thus, the study revealed that the average intensity of drought for all stations was higher in Ambe season (bahar) followed by Hasta and Mrig seasons (bahars) of pomegranate. For Ambe bahar, the total amounts of water to be applied is 1696 l/tree for the pomegranate tree of 5^th year age at 70 per cent probability level for Solapur district. The average climate during season January-August (Ambe bahar) is arid with very poor moisture adequacy index but it is beneficial for quality and disease free production of pomegranate. The average moisture index was -78.31 per cent with highest and lowest moisture index were observed in Solapur (-72.77) and Mangalvedha (-81.96) stations, respectively. Thus, it concludes, good season for disease free, quality and more beneficial production of pomegranate when external source of water supply is available.

Keywords

Ambe bahar, Drought, Water Deficit, Surplus, Climate Shift.

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