Two types of low-cost sunflower threshers (wire mesh type and perforated GI sheet type) were developed and their performance was compared with pedal operated thresher and the traditional method. The test was conducted at four levels of moisture content (db) i.e., 13.84, 11.23, 10.50 and 8.38% for MSFH-17 variety of sunflower crop with different cub diameter ranging from 16–19 cm. The threshing capacity of the threshers increased with decrease in moisture content from 13.84 to 10.50 per cent below which it decreased for all the treatments. The mechanical damage decreased with decrease in seed moisture content and threshing efficiency increased with decrease in moisture content in all the treatments. Based on highest threshing capacity, lowest cost of threshing and a grain breakage of less than 2 per cent, the optimum seed moisture content was found to be 10.50 per cent for threshing of sunflower crop. As highest threshing capacity and lowest cost of threshing were observed with wire mesh type thresher, this may be recommended for adoption by small and marginal farmers of the state.
Sunflower, Thresher, Machinery
