BULK-DENSITY OF LONG-AND MEDIUM-GRAIN RICE VARIETIES AS AFFECTED BY HARVEST AND CONDITIONED MOISTURE CONTENTS

The effect of harvest and conditioned moisture contents (MC) on bulk d ensity (BD) of rough, brown, and white rice was determined for several long-and medium-grain rice varieties harvested from different Arkansa s locations. The results indicated that harvest MC (HMC) significantly affected the BD of freshly harvested and conditioned rough rice. High er HMC levels resulted in lower BD levels for rough rice over the cond itioned MC range from 11 to 29% (wb). There was a strong linear relati onship between rough rice BD and conditioned MC for a given HMC. The h arvest location had a more pronounced effect on rough rice BD of long- grain varieties than of medium-grain varieties. The BD of brown and wh ite rice was less dependent on harvest location and conditioned MC tha n the BD of rough rice. Rice harvested at low MC level (approximate to 13%) gave a higher BD for both brown and white rice than that harvest ed at higher MC levels. Medium-grain varieties showed a higher BD for brown and white rice than did long-grain varieties.