Effect of different threshing methods on the physical characteristics of two varieties of paddy rice

As part of the efforts to reduce the postharvest losses (quantity and quality) of rice, this study was carried out to ascertain the effects of three threshing methods: (stone, bambam (wooden box), and combine harvester) on two varieties of rice: AGRA and Jasmine 85. The experimental design was a 2×3 factorial experiment in Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with three replications. At the end of the study, the result of the parameters measured shows combine harvester threshing method recorded the highest dockage level (0.41%) while bambam produced the cleanest grains with dockage level of 0.22%. Percent immature grains produced by AGRA (1.02%) was significantly higher than that of Jasmine 85 (0.61%). Threshing by the stone method produced the highest amount of fissured grains (3.8%) whiles combine harvester produced the least (3.14%) fissured grains. In the germination test, Jasmine 85 (86.11%) were geminated significantly better than AGRA (63.88%). In terms of grain weight, Jasmine recorded a higher weight (25.783g) than AGRA (25.197g), suggesting a higher carbohydrate stored in Jasmine 85. It could be concluded that different varieties have different internal and external properties hence respond differently to a postharvest treatment.