Standardization of feed rate and vacuum pressure for processing of seeds of bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L.)

Seed processing plays the most important role in determining the final quality of seeds. Mechanical methods of seed processing are precise, fast, accurate and cost effective if they are calibrated, standardized and fine tuned to do so. In these studies, Wall Mounted Vacuum Separator is evaluated at different vacuum pressure and feed rates for processing seeds of bell pepper cv. California Wonder. The studies showed that a feeder rate of 6 (20 kg seeds/hour) and vacuum pressure of 38.0 lbs/hour is optimum for the processing of seeds of bell pepper. The combination has resulted in significant improvement of seed quality in terms of physical purity, 1000 seed weight, germination and vigour index with a good seed recovery of 95.2%.