ABSTRACT
Knowledge of the physical properties of agricultural pro-
ducts is being used in the planting, harvesting, drying,
storing, and processing of the agricultural products.
Procedures have been developed that take the physical
characteristics of the agricultural products into account.
Producers, processors, and consumers have developed
new equipment and techniques or modified existing ones
so that agricultural products can be handled effectively.
Therefore, proper design of machines and processes to
harvest, handle, and store agricultural materials and to
convert these materials into food and feed requires an
understanding of their physical properties. These proper-
ties include size, shape, and density; deformation in
response to applied static and dynamic forces; moisture
adsorption and desorption hydrodynamic properties; and
response to electromagnetic radiation.[1]
