INVESTIGATION OF THE PINE CONES MICROWAVE HEATING PROCESS TO EXTRACT HIGH QUALITY SEEDS FROM THEM

Abstract

The purpose of the study is to evaluate the effect of microwave irradiation of pine cones on the quality of the seeds obtained. The cones were exposed to microwave radiation produced by a generator with a power of 700-800 W. The study was carried out in several modes, in which the duration of microwave irradiation was a variable parameter. The temperature distribution on the surface and inside the cones was determined using the special termometr. The energy (viability) and germination (quality class) of seeds treated with microwave radiation were also evaluated. The results of the research made it possible to state that with the accepted process parameters, it is possible to obtain seeds of the second quality class after exposure to microwaves for 6 s. With an increase in irradiation time over 6 s, the viability of the seeds decreased, and their quality was unsatisfactory.