Marigold petal removal with a plate thresher

The petals of marigold flowers (Tagetes erecta) are commonly used as a feed supplement by the poultry industry to enhance broiler skin and yolk colora tion. This research examined the effectiveness of a threshing device for re moving petals from Orange Lady marigold flowers by scrubbing dried flowers between two moving plates. Thresher-associated independent variables were p late speed and distance between plates (plate gap). Flower moisture content was the independent variable representing flower properties. Efficacy was determined by measuring the threshing efficiencies and the percent trash (M OP, material other than petals) present in the threshed material. Results s how smaller plate gaps had higher threshing efficiencies and increased MOP in the harvested samples. Threshing efficiencies ranged from 34% to 98% for high and low flower moisture contents respectively. Plate speeds ranging f rom 156 to 936 mm/sec had no effect on threshing efficiency.