Studies on Some Engineering Properties of Faba Bean Seeds PREM KUMAR SUNDARAM * , ANIL KUMAR SINGH AND SANTOSH KUMAR ICAR Research Complex for Eastern Region, Patna-800 014 (Bihar) India ABSTRACT Various physical and mechanical properties of three different germplasm of faba bean seeds were evaluated.The average seed length of germplasm IC-0595985, IC-0595986 and IC-0595991were 8.71±0.66, 8.47±0.50 and 7.93±0.65mm, respectively. The three Indian germplasm of faba bean were found much lesser in dimension compared to the Egyptian varieties of faba bean. The geometric mean diameter, sphericity, thousand seeds mass and porosity were also determined.The averages of bulk density were 0.923±0.008, 0.918±0.014 and 0.88±0.002 g/cc, for germplasm IC-0595985, IC-0595986 and IC- 0595991respectively .The coefficient of friction of seeds on two surfaces viz plywood and galvanized iron sheet were determined and it was observed that it was highest (0.42 ± 0.022) for plywood and lowest (0.38 ± 0.011) for GI sheet. Keywords: faba bean,dimension, bulk density, coefficient of friction and angle of repose INTRODUCTION Pulses are the main source of proteins for vegetarians.Globally, faba bean (Vicia faba L.), is third most important feed grain legume after soybean (Glycine max L.), and pea (Pisum sativum L.) with a total production of 4.87 MT and harvested area of 2.63 Mha, as reported by Mihailovic et al. (2005). In India, about 15-30 per cent of the daily protein needs are supplied from edible legumes or pulses. Razia Akbar (2000) reported the practice of cultivation and soil enhancing properties of faba bean in India. Being one of the most potential crops to serve humanity at global level, unfortunately in India it is still treated as a minor legume / unutilized / underutilizedcrop (Singh et al.,2009; Singh et al., 2012). China is currently the world leading producer with 60% of the total yield followed by Northern Europe, Mediterranean, Ethiopia, Central and East Asia and Latin America (FAOSTAT, 2009). It is cultivated during winter (states of seasons) in plains and during rainy season (Kharif) in hilly and mountainous region. It is as an agronomically viable alternative to cereal grains (Singh et al., 2013). It is being taken as sole crop and as intercropped/mixed crops with variety of combination even as border / guard crop in eastern India (Singh et al., 2009 and Singh et al.,2012).Each year, seed developers release many varieties into the market that provide improved productivity and adaptability to adverse conditions. These varieties are nearly similar in their characteristics and different in their properties. Knowledge of faba bean physical and mechanical properties are very important in the design equipment for handling, drying, aeration, storing structures and processing. Faba bean size and shape varies with, variety and seed moisture content. Fraser et al. (1978) reported that for faba bean, the thousand seed mass, angle of repose and static coefficient of friction increased with an increase in moisture content while bulk density decreased. Abu El- Kheir (1988) indicated that faba bean seed characteristic dimensions and varieties might have an effect on threshing and cleaning efficiencies. The seed form and dimensions are considered important as limiting factors in passing the grain between the concave holes for separating and cleaning machine. He also reported that there is a significant difference in seed dimensions with varieties of faba bean. There *Corresponding Author E-mail: prem.k.sundaram@gmail.com ARTICLE INFO Received on : 21.01.2014 Revised received on : 27.01.2014 Accepted on : 05.03.2014 Published online : 27.03.2014 ISSN : 2348-8808 (Print ), 2348-8867 (Online) Journal of AgriSearch 1(1):4-8