Influence of variety on selected physical and mechanical properties of wheat

Data on physical properties of grains and seeds have significant importance for machinery and process equipments design. The study was performed to investigate selected geometric, physical and mechanical properties of the wheat spelt varieties in compare with the common wheat. The length, width and thickness of wheat varieties were in the range of 6.42 (Korweta) to 8.80 (Obelkulmer Rotkorn), 3.27 (Holsternkorn) to 3.49 (Oberkulmer Rotkorn) and 2.67 (Korweta) to 2.89 (Holsternkorn) mm, respectively. The bulk density ranged from 721.0 (Ceralio) to 749.6 kg/m3 (Oberkulmer Rotkorn), the kernel apparent density from 1342.7 (Ceralio) to 1491.2 kg/m3 (Korweta) and the porosity from 45.9 (Oberkulmer Rotkorn) to 48.1% (Holsternkorn). The equivalent diameter and volume of a single wheat kernel ranged between 4.04 (Holsternkorn) and 4.20 mm (both Korweta and Oberkulmer Rotkorn), and 33.1 (Ceralio) and 42.2 mm3(Oberkulmer Rotkorn). The shape of a single wheat kernel was confirmed to be ellipsoid. The sphericity ranged from 53.5 (Oberkulmer Rotkorn) to 60.6% (Korweta) while the average aspect ratio was 47.9%. This study showed that the linear dimensions of all spelt varieties kernels were higher than those observed for common wheat. Wheat kernels showed relatively high values of angle of repose ranged from 17.6° (Korweta) to 20.5° (both Holsternkorn and Oberkulmer Rotkorn). Static coefficient of friction of spelt varieties were higher than that of common wheat. Furthermore, kernels of Korweta and Oberkulmer Rotkorn varieties were characterized by the highest energy required for rupture with average of 11.3 J, while Ceralio and Holsternkorn by the lowest one with average of 5.9 J.

► We measured geometric, physical and mechanical properties of spelt wheat varieties.
► A single kernel of spelt wheat varieties is characterized by higher linear dimensions than those observed for common wheat.
► The highest energy required for rupture was observed for grains of vrs Korweta and Oberkulmer Rotkorn.