Corn Harvest Research Articles

Post Harvest Corn Handling for Improving Quality and Competitiveness

The awareness and knowledge of postharvest losses at the farm level is still very low, so it is necessary to conduct research to determine the application of postharvest technology at the farm level. The research was conducted from January to December 2017 in Minahasa, North Minahasa and South Minahasa districts. The results of the study showed that each stage of postharvest treatment varied from 5% of conventional and 1.92% of introduced technology. The use of postharvest BB shelling tools with an operating time of 9 minutes/100 kg with an operational cost of 187,800 IDR/ha, results in a loss of yield of about 0.8%, peeled corn sheller with an operating time of 10.25 minutes/100 kg and an operating cost of 213,400 IDR/ha lost yield of 0.95%, compared to traditional shelling tools with an operating time of 130 minutes/100 kg and operational costs of 1,354,100 IDR/ha, yield loss of 0.2% lower but high labor costs. The use of a dryer with a capacity of 3 - 4 tons with a drying time of 12-17 hours can save the labor cost of 2 working days (200,000 IDR) when compared to a sun dryer, the yield loss is 0.1-0.2%. Dry shelled maize, rice, and corn bran stored for 3 months have not experienced a significant change in moisture content, with the control treatment, the use of zeolite, activated charcoal, quicklime, turmeric powder and fragrant lemongrass powder. The use of activated charcoal and zeolites can inhibit changes in moisture content and the growth of Sitophilus zeamais.

Evaluation of the efficiency of transport services for forage harvesters when harvesting maize for silage in Novosibirsk region

An assessment of the efficiency of the enterprise for harvesting corn for silage through positioning and monitoring of vehicles was carried out. The calculation of the required power of the forage harvester for the smooth operation of service vehicles, that are responsible for the transportation of green mass, was done. An inconsistency was revealed between the departures of loaded vehicles and the arrivals of empty vehicles. The lack of positioning and monitoring tools negatively affects the productivity of the harvesting and transport process. As a result of the research, it was found that the actual performance of the forage harvester when harvesting maize for silage is significantly lower than the theoretical performance. Through experiments, the downtime of forage harvesters in the field due to improper organization of transport services was revealed. When analyzing the state of the park of forage harvesters and vehicles, the requirements of new approaches in solving transport problems were revealed. These contribute to a radical improvement of the transport process when harvesting silage crops. The obtained calculations and patterns of change in technical and technological parameters can be used for the design of new, special agricultural vehicles, as well as in the harvesting and transport process to determine the required number of transport units, when transporting chopped green mass. On the basis of experimental data the regularities of changes in the volume of the vehicle bed on the mass of the trailer and the dependence of the change in the volume of the vehicle bed on the mass of the trailer during transportation of green mass were obtained.

玉米收获机分禾与摘穗装置性能仿真分析

In the design of corn combine harvester, there is a high demand for customization and diversification in China. Aiming at the problems of backward design method, lack of design knowledge and long product development cycle, the discrete beam method is used to establish the corn plant model. The model of sub-device and the vertical and horizontal roller picking device is established by using UG, and the virtual prototype model is established by using ADAMS software. Meanwhile, the simulation experiments on the kinematics and dynamics performance of the separating device, the corn plant and the picking roller are carried out, and the simulation results are verified by field experiments. Through this method, the design parameters of the separating device and the picking roller are serialized, the method of evaluating the separating performance and the picking performance is provided, and the development and design cycle is shortened, which provides certain reference and theoretical basis for the development and design of the corn harvester header.

PENERAPAN TEKNOLOGI SILASE JERAMI JAGUNG SEBAGAI PAKAN TERAK DI OPHIR NAGARI KOTO BARU KABUPATEN PASAMAN BARAT

Pakan merupakan suatu kebutuhan yang mutlak harus diperhatikan dalam pemeliharaan ternak. Umumnya di musim kemarau, peternak terkendala dalam ketersediaan pakan sulit didapatkan. Disisi lain, Pada saat musim panen jagung di Jorong Ophir Nagari Koto Baru Kabupaten Pasaman Barat ketersediaan jerami jagung sangat melimpah. Jerami jagung sangat berpotensi sebagai sumber pakan, namun pemanfaatannya belum optimal dikarenakan kualitasnya masih rendah. Untuk peningkatan kualitas dan manfaat jerami jagung ini maka diperlukan petani sebuah teknologi yang mudah dan sederhana untuk peningkatan kualitas pakan diantaranya teknologi silase jerami jagung. Tujuan kegiatan ini yaitu untuk peningkatan pengetahuan dan keterampilan peternak dan petani atau masyarakat Jorong Ophir Nagari Koto Baru dalam penerapan teknologi pembuatan silase jerami jagung sebagai pakan ternak. Kegiatan pelatihan dilakukan Jorong Ophir yang melibatkan petani peternak dan masyarakat. Metode kegiatan berupa penyuluhan, pelatihan dan evaluasi. Pada kegiatan ini terlihat peserta antusias mengikuti pelaksanaan kegiatan. Setelah pelaksanaan kegiatan ini terlihat adanya peningkatan pengetahuan dan pemahaman masyarakat dalam penerapan pembuatan silase jerami jagung sebagai pengolahan pakan ternak. Hal ini tentunya peternak dapat mengotimalisasi limbah sebagai pakan ternak yang harga yang relatif murah. Berharap dari kegiatan ini adanya keberlanjutan program yang dilakukan peternak agar optimalisasi pakan yang berkualitas untuk peningkatan produktivitas ternak.

Effects of different legume green manures on tropical soil microbiology after corn harvest

Legume green manure is a popular practice for sustainable agriculture in tropical environments. The use of grain, forage and purely green manure legumes in a subhumid tropical area in Northeast Brazil was investigated to determine the total C and N contents and estimate C-microbial biomass, soil basal respiration, microbial and metabolic quotients, before and after green manures and after the following corn. It was hypothesized that, although all legumes would increase microbial biomass and activity, there would be different effects in function of the main economic usage of the legume. The experimental design evaluated the soil before and after harvest of seven legumes: (i) purely green manures – sunn hemp (Crotalaria juncea L.) and velvet bean (Stizolobium aterrimum Piper & Tracy); (ii) forage – Campo Grande stylo (a physical mixture of 80% of Stylosanthes captata Vog. and 20% of Stylosanthes macrocephala) and calopo (Calopogonium mucunoides Dev.) and (iii) grain – common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) and peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.), followed by corn crop. After corn harvest, soils had the same total C and N contents before legume seeding, but C-microbial biomass was significantly higher in soils with grain and purely green manures, which produced higher shoot and root dry mass. Soil basal respiration decreased after corn harvest for all legumes comparing to control treatments, but metabolic stress increased in soils with forage species. Despite this, microbial quotient indicated an efficiency of the microorganisms in degrading the residual organic matter of all green manures used in corn.

60 Occurrence of Mycotoxins in 2019 US Corn-based Feed Ingredients

Abstract Mycotoxins are secondary fungal metabolites that are detrimental to animal health and productivity. This study investigated occurrence and contamination levels of mycotoxins in the 2019 US corn harvest, including corn grain and corn byproduct feed ingredients (distillers dried grains, gluten feed, etc.). Corn samples from the 2019 harvest and corn DDGS and other byproducts from October 2019 through April 2020 were screened via the LC-MS/MS technique for the presence of six major mycotoxin groups: aflatoxins, type A trichothecenes, type B trichothecenes (B-Trich), fumonisins (FUM), zearalenone (ZEN) and ochratoxin A. Parameters of the main toxins found were compared to the two prior harvest years using the Kruskal-Wallis Test (Prism7, GraphPad, La Jolla, CA) and are presented in Table 1. Mean toxin count per sample in corn grain was similar in 2019 as 2018, with just over two toxins per sample. Mean B-Trich level (parts per billion, ppb) was elevated in 2019 from 2017. Fumonisin contamination increased in 2019 compared to 2017, and prevalence was similar to 2018. Zearalenone contamination and prevalence were similar in 2019 compared to 2018 levels. Co-contamination in corn byproduct feeds was steady, averaging nearly three toxins per sample. Mean B-Trich contamination was higher than the 2017 crop, and FUM contamination was higher in 2019 than 2017 and 2018. Zearalenone levels in 2019 byproducts are the highest seen in the past three years. Preliminary results of the 2019 corn-based feed ingredients survey suggest mycotoxin occurrence and contamination levels are approaching those observed in the challenging 2018 crop. Furthermore, there are continued concerns for co-contamination and greater ZEN contamination that may impose negative effects on growth, health and reproductive performance in ruminants.

PSVI-11 Effects of nutrient management and cropping strategies in a dual-crop forage production system of silage corn and perennial grass on nutritional quality and predicted milk production of dairy cattle

Abstract The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of incrementally applied enhanced nutrient management, cropping practices, and advanced production technologies on nutrient composition and in vitro degradability of whole plant corn and perennial grass (tall fescue) and the predicted milk production of dairy cattle. Farm management strategies included: conventional system with manure slurry broadcast, late harvest corn, and grass cut 5 times per year (F1); improved nutrient management with manure sludge applied to corn and liquid applied to grass (F2); improved nutrient management and cropping practices with separated manure, an early harvest corn inter-seeded with a relay crop (Italian ryegrass), and grass cut 3 times per year (F3); and advanced technologies that included a nitrification inhibitor (diacyandiamide, DCD; F4). The field trial was conducted as a randomized complete block design over 2 years with 4 blocks each divided into corn and grass, 4 subplots for each crop, and 2 replicates within each subplot. Enhanced nutrient, cropping, and advanced management increased (P < 0.05) the crude protein (CP) concentration in corn compared to the conventional system (Table 1). The DCD reduced (P < 0.05) the CP concentration and the highly degradable fiber of the relay crop compared to management without DCD. Decreasing the number of cuts of grass reduced (P < 0.05) the CP concentration in the spring harvest, increased (P < 0.05) the fiber concentration in spring and summer harvests, and reduced (P < 0.05) fiber degradability in all harvests. Milk production predicted from the nutritional quality and representative proportions of forages using the Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System was increased with enhanced management. The lower forage quality of grass cut 3 times compared to 5 times annually was offset by the improved quality of corn and relay crop under enhanced field management of the dairy farm.

The Effect of Corn (Zea Mays L.) Storage Model on Reducing Sugar Content

Corn is a food material that is easily accepted by the community, because it is a staple food ingredient. One of the causes of decreased maize productivity is the ineffective maize storage model so that the need for seeds becomes less available and affects the quality of the maize. The habits of the people of TTU Regency generally save the corn harvest by fumigating it in the kitchen, storing it in barns, and storing corn drums. The three storage models are believed to be able to increase the shelf life of corn longer and avoid powder pests. However, in reality in the field resilience only covers the quantity (availability) aspect, while the quality aspect is not given much attention. In connection with the constraints experienced by the community, it is necessary to conduct a study to determine reducing sugar levels. The purpose of this study was to determine the storage model that can maintain quality and does not reduce reducing sugar levels in corn. This research was conducted from May to July 2014. The research method was carried out by testing in the laboratory. The tools used in the study were ovens, analytical scales, desiccators, and sample containers. The materials used were maize from the three storage models (fumigation, granary, and drum). The results showed that the highest reducing sugar content was in the drum storage model. In addition, the storage model for corn in the drum has the highest moisture content value of 15.26%.

Use of corn stover as bulking agent in dairy manure composting toward Japanese circular dairy farming.

In response to the recent development of ear corn feeding systems and the shortage of bulking agents for manure composting in the Hokkaido region, the plausibility of using corn stover (a residue of ear corn harvesting) as an alternative bulking agent for dairy manure composting was tested. The temperature profile, quality of the final product, and greenhouse gas emissions were evaluated and compared with the values obtained from manure that used wheat straw, a typical bulking agent. A sufficiently high temperature profile (>70°C) and active organic matter degradation were achieved by mixing in corn stover. After active organic matter degradation for 8 weeks, CO2 production was significantly lower and the stable final products were obtained. The total solids level increased significantly, to 48.8–50.4%, while the C/N ratio dropped significantly, from 19.9–21.8 to 11.2–12.8. Methane emission from the corn-stover-based pile was 0.36% of initial volatile solids, while nitrous oxide emission was 0.58% of initial N, proving that the use of corn stover can mitigate greenhouse gas emission and that its mitigating effect was comparable to those of other bulking agents. Together, the results showed that the use of corn stover can be a suitable alternative bulking agent for dairy manure composting and can serve as part of an ecologically friendly and “circular” method of dairy farming.

Performance of Mid-Size Combine Harvester of Grain Corn on the Field Efficiency and Energy Consumption at the Northern Johor of Malaysia

A mid-size combine harvester with 2.76 m reaping width and 103.53 hp engine output has been employed in grain corn production, especially by small-scale grain corn farmers. This study attempted to determine field performances of a typical mid-size combine harvester by measuring its effective field capacity (EFC), field efficiency (FE), fuel consumption (FC) and field machine index (FMI). Different types of energy inputs such as fuel, machinery, human, included direct, indirect, renewable and non-renewable energy involved in grain corn harvesting were also measured. The field measurements were carried out in 3 ha of grain corn farm, under similar field conditions using a typical mid-size combine harvester. The average values of EFC, FE, FC and FMI for the mid-size combine harvester were found to be 0.23 ha/h, 34.97%, 37.25 lit/ha and 0.91, respectively. The average equivalent energy values of fuel, machinery and human energy were 1780.70 MJ/ha, 587.73 MJ/ha and 8.53 MJ/ha, respectively. The average values of the direct and indirect energy were 1789.23 MJ/ha and 587.73 MJ/ha, respectively. The average values of renewable and non-renewable energy were recorded at 8.53 MJ/ha and 2368.42 MJ/ha, respectively. The mid-size combine harvester investigated in this study exhibited good field performance characteristic using a reasonable amount of energy consumption as compared to harvesting operation for other grain crops. From the results, it can be concluded that good practice in harvesting operation could improve field performance, and minimise operational costs and energy consumption.

Design and development of monitoring device for corn grain cleaning loss based on piezoelectric effect

It is wildly known that the grain direct harvest can improve the corn harvest efficiency effectively. However, in the process of grain direct harvest, incomplete threshing and cleaning loss will lead to the loss of corn grain. Among them, the grain loss caused by the cleaning process can be controlled and reduced by adjusting the opening extent of the cleaning sieve, fan speed and other parameters. In traditional operation process, the operator had to adjust the cleaning mechanism based on their experience, which directly leads to low efficiency as well as high rate of grain loss. The grain loss rate sensor proposed in this paper provides the feedback parameters to control the above actuators, which makes the intelligent cleaning of the harvester possible. By comparing the existing research results, the PVDF piezoelectric film was used as the sensitive material. A sensor test platform and a real machine test platform were built and the corresponding software system of the sensor was designed and developed. The software system includes data acquisition module, filtering algorithm, wave shaped module, counting module, data processing module and wireless transmission module. Moreover, an algorithm was proposed to calibrate the error caused by misidentification of the grains and residues. After the testing and debugging, the final identification error of the laboratory tests was decreased from 12% to 3% and the error of the real machine test was under 6%, which is acceptable.The research results of this paper provided the basis for the development of intelligent control system of grain harvesting machinery, and it is of great significance to reduce the cleaning loss rate of harvesting machinery.

Produtividade e componentes de rendimento de híbridos de milho em função da distribuição espacial na linha de semeadura

Spatial uniformity in the distance between plants in the sowing line and at the time of emergence is essential to achieve high productive ceilings in the corn crop. The objective was to evaluate the productivity of two corn hybrids as a function of the spatial distribution in the sowing line. The experiment was carried out in the municipality of Cambé-PR in the second corn harvest in 2016. The hybrids of Formula TL (Syngenta) and 2A401 Pw (Dow) were evaluated. The experimental design used was in randomized blocks with four replications. The experimental unit consisted of four lines of six meters in length and 0.70 m of line spacing. Five treatments (1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 grouped plants) were performed, characterized by the spatial distribution in the sowing line.The data were subjected to analysis of variance by the F test, using the SISVAR software and the comparison of means was performed by the Tukey test. There is genetic variability for grain yield in terms of plant distribution in the sowing line. In the broken plants component, the two hybrids studied presented similar percentages, and more pronounced differences in the variable bedded plants. The Formula hybrid was able to compensate for the spaces left by the unevenness in the seeding line.

Kearifan Lokal Hamis Batar Suku Manehitu Fafiur Di Kabupaten Belu NTT

This research aimed to find outthe mechanism of hamisbatar local wisdom of ManehituFafiur Tribe, in Belu Regency, NTT. This study was descriptive qualitative research. Data collection was carried out using observation, documentation and interview. Data analysis was conducted qualitatively encompassing data reduction, data display, and conclusion drawing. The result of research showed that hamisbatarrite was organized in six stages: preparing land rite, planting rite, hamisbatarrite held in Manehitufafiur tribal house, corn harvest rite, corn collection in customary house, and corn binding rite still continue to be implemented until today.

Household Buildings of Vovchansk hillfort: Their Reconstruction and Interpretation Problems

Vovchansk hillfort is located in the eastern border area of Vovchansk city in Kharkiv Region. It belongs to the Saltiv archaeological culture (mid. VIII — mid. X centuries), which reflects material and cultural remains of the Khazar Khaganate. This site is among one and a half dozens of microregions in the Khazar Khaganate located in the middle stream of the Siverskyi Donets. The site is located on the cape of the right bank of the Vovcha River (right inflow of the Siversky Donets). It has one yard with a threefold defence system that includes earthen walls, ditches and scarps. Household buildings were discovered in the northern part of the citadel, and between outward and inward defensive lines. A small household zone was found within the range of the space near citadel walls; its household buildings were of a small area, with mud-brick walls. They were likely to serve for food supply storage meant to be delivered for a small number of consumers (for example, for the citadel garrison). Nine household buildings found between exterior and middle defence lines were investigated in the southern part of the hillfort; they are located in 4.0—6.0 meters from one another (in the absence of nearby dwellings). All of them are different in their plan and construction. The reconstruction of the most extant ones is offered in the article. The following things were taken into account: results of archaeological research, construction quality of grounds, surrounding nature of construction raw materials, presence of implements and their feasibility of raw materials processing, and also ethnographic data on traditional construction of the population in XVIII—XIX centuries. These buildings were designed for food preservation in wooden or vine- or fibre-braided baskets and other containers, also in bags (of leather or tissue) and ceramic tare. As to the purpose of these food stocks, some hypotheses are offered. The 1st hypothesis: the storage could belong to the local surrounding population in the times of external threat for the residents of the nearby settlements; it seems probable in the light of the civil war in Khazaria at the beginning of the 9th century. The 2nd hypothesis: food supply could be stored to be consumed by the garrison, which could be located in the hillfort citadel for creating military pressure on the Slavs. The 3rd hyposesis: the mentioned buildings could be used for temporary retention of the corn harvest (and probably, the Slavs’ tribute) reaped by the local community before its shipping at the disposal of the central authority of the Khaganate. Similarity between two discovered household buildings in the excavation site No. 3 points to the fact that the work was done by the same craftsmen group following the common plan. Constructive diversity of household buildings in the excavation site No. 4 shows that they were created by different craftsmen groups.

Organic Compost of Swine Manure in the Production of Green Corn in Manaus, Brazil

Pig farming is considered one of the activities with the greatest environmental impact due to the erroneous disposal of swine waste. The present work aimed to produce an organic compost using waste from pig production and evaluate its chemical characteristic, corn yield under doses of this organic compost and soil nutritional quality before and after the experiment implementation. The Corn was fertilized at sowing and 30 days after plant germination using organic compost from pig waste at the doses: 0, 2, 3, 4 and 5 t ha-1. The Corn used was CATIVERDE 02 and were seeded at 1.0 m spacing between rows and 0.40 m between plants, in a total area of 240 m2. The experimental design was randomized blocks with four replications and five doses of organic compost. The parameters evaluated for corn were: plant height, stem diameter, weight and corncob length. Fertilization with swine organic compost increases in soil P, K, Ca, even after the corn harvest. The best treatment was with a dose of 5 t ha-1, as it resulted in higher plant height (1.85 m) and corn cob weight (261 g).

Effects of fall-planted cereal cover-crop termination time on glyphosate-resistant horseweed (Conyza canadensis) suppression

AbstractIntegrated strategies for management of glyphosate-resistant (GR) horseweed are needed to reduce reliance on herbicides. Planting a cover crop after corn or soybean harvest in the Upper Midwest may reduce horseweed establishment and growth. Experiments were conducted in Michigan to determine if cereal rye and winter wheat, seeded at 67 or 135 kg ha−1, and terminated with glyphosate at 1.27 kg ae ha−11 wk before planting (early termination) or 1 wk after soybean planting (planting green) would suppress establishment and growth of GR horseweed. Cover-crop biomass was 212% to 272% higher when termination was delayed by planting green compared with early termination. At the time of termination, cover crops reduced GR horseweed biomass 41% to 89% compared with no cover. Planting green increased the C:N ratio of cover-crop residue, which improved residue persistence and GR horseweed suppression at the time of POST herbicide application, approximately 5 wk after planting. Planting green reduced GR horseweed biomass 46% to 93% compared with no cover at the time of POST herbicide application; early termination provided less consistent suppression. Cover crops alone did not suppress GR horseweed through soybean harvest. Soybean yield was 30% to 108% greater when planting green compared with early termination at 2 site-years. Cereal rye and winter wheat, seeded at 67 or 135 kg ha−1, provided early-season GR horseweed suppression. Results from this research indicate that the practice of planting green may improve GR horseweed suppression through the time of POST herbicide application.

Machine-Vision-Based Algorithm for Blockage Recognition of Jittering Sieve in Corn Harvester

Jittering sieve is a significant component of corn harvester, and it is used to separate kernels from impurities. The sieves may be blocked by kernels during the separating process, leading to the reduction of working performance. Unfortunately, the automatic recognition of blockage has not been studied yet. To address this issue, in this study we develop machine-vision-based algorithms to divide the jittering sieve into sub-sieves and to recognize kernel blockages. Additionally, we propose the metric to evaluate blocking level of each sub-sieve, aiming to provide the basis for automatic blockage clearing. The performance of the proposed algorithm is verified through simulation experiments on real images. The success ratio of edge determination reaches 100%. The mean cross-correlation coefficient of the blockage levels and the actual numbers of blocked kernels for all test scenes is 0.932. The results demonstrate the proposed algorithm can be used for accurate blockage recognition, and the proposed metric is appropriate for evaluating the blockage level.

Interseeding cover crops in corn: Establishment, biomass, and competitiveness in on‐farm trials

AbstractBroadcast interseeding cover crops in corn (Zea mays L.) from the V2–V7 corn growth stages provides farmers the opportunity to establish cover crops over large areas quickly compared with drill interseeders. The objectives of this research were to evaluate broadcast interseeded cover crop establishment and biomass production as well as cover crop effect on corn grain yield in farmer's fields in Michigan. In 2017 and 2018, annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.), crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum L.), and oilseed radish (Raphanus sativus L.) were broadcast interseeded at the V3 and V6 corn growth stages in nine farm fields. Cover crop density was measured 30 d after interseeding; cover crop density and biomass were measured in October prior to grain corn harvest. Cover crop density varied across site‐years; annual ryegrass usually had the highest density. Fall biomass production of oilseed radish was usually equal to or greater than annual ryegrass and crimson clover biomass. Rainfall during the interseeding period improved cover crop emergence. Cover crop density and biomass were higher in sites that were tilled prior to corn planting compared with no‐till, likely due to better seed to soil contact. Grain yield did not differ in the cover crop vs. no cover crop control treatments. Successfully establishing cover crops by broadcast interseeding in corn is dependent on specific location conditions; conventional tillage and rainfall improved establishment and biomass production.

Análisis de costos para las tortillas de maíz destinadas al autoconsumo y venta en Yaxcabá, Yucatán

Este artículo estima el costo total de la tortilla de maíz que es producido por campesinos de Kancabdzonot, Yaxcabá, en Yucatán. Para ello, se tomó una muestra de 64 hogares que siembran y cosechan maíz bajo el sistema de milpa conocido como “roza tumba quema” y se calculan los costos explícitos e implícitos incurridos en el año 2014. Se desglosan los costos en producción y transformación del maíz por la extensión de las milpas y se clasifican los hogares de acuerdo al uso de la tortilla, en consumo familiar y venta. Entre los resultados más sobresalientes, es que cuando algunos hogares venden la tortilla de maíz, la actividad de comercialización no genera ganancias económicas; sin embargo, al considerar el subsidio Procampo la situación se revierte. Por otro lado, la tortilla elaborada de maíz para consumo familiar no es rentable con la tortilla (bien sustituto) ofrecido en el mercado local debido al desconocimiento del costo de producción.

Extraction and Characterization of Corn Leaf Fiber

ABSTRACT Corn leaves were collected after harvesting corn and the fibers were extracted by water retting. The fibers were subjected to alkali treatment in order to enhance the mechanical as well as handle properties. The physico-mechanical properties of the retted and alkali-treated corn leaf fibers were analyzed using various analytical and statistical methods. The change in chemical composition due to alkali treatment was determined using Fourier transmission infrared spectroscopy and chemical composition analysis. Results inferred that 15 days retting gives better quality of fibers. The alkali treatment resulted in the removal of lignin, fats, and waxes as well as the disintegration of individual fibers from the retted fiber bunch. Bundle strength, elongation, and moisture properties were found to improve after chemical treatment. The study shows that corn leaf fiber has good potential in technical textile applications.