Effect of Moisture Content on Maize Shelling Speed Using a Manually Operated

The study examined the effect of moisture content on maize shelling speed using a manually operated hand Sheller (cone type). Twenty (20) unthreshed maize cob samples (A-J) were used for the study. The samples were analysed in the laboratory for parameters such as weight of samples before and after drying, moisture content and shelling speed. The result indicated that sample J, after sixty nine hours (69) oven drying recorded the lowest moisture content(15.10% wb ) and the fastest shelling speed (0.75 rev. per. Sec) compared to sample A (24 h drying time) which had the highest moisture content (28.99%wb ) and lowest shelling speed(0.96 rev. per. sec). It was observed that sample J with the shortest shelling duration had the smallest grain weight (84.2g), while sample ‘A’ recorded larger grain weight (162.9g) due to differing moisture content of the maize grains. The data generated was analysed and compared using statistical means, percentages and figures for pictorial presentation. The pearson correlation between shelling speed and moisture content correlated weakly (r=0.4). Generally the result revealed that the longer the drying period the more moisture were extracted from the samples. Hence the lower the moisture content then the faster the shelling speed. It is recommended that maize cobs be dried properly to enable easier and faster shelling operation with less fatigue and minimum grain damage.