EXPERIMENT 2 DETERMINATION OF

THOUSAND KERNEL
WEIGHT
Structure
2.1 Introduction
2.2 Experiment
Principle
#
Requirements
Procedure
Observations
Results
2.3 Precautions

2.1 INTRODUCTION
Thousand kernel weight is the weight of 1000 wheat kernels. It is a quality test
applied to wheat to determine its potential milling yield. Thousand kernel weight
of wheat depends on kernel size and density. Large dense wheat kernels normally
have a higher ratio of endosperm to non endosperm. So the 1000 kernel weight
will be higher. Smaller less dense kernels have less weight and hence less yield.

2.2 EXPERIMENT

2.2.1 Principle
To count 1000 wheat kernels, determine 1000 kernel weight and assess the quality.

2.2.2 Requirements
• Balance (least count 0.001 g)
• Clean, dry wheat samples of different varieties
• Plastic bowls

2.2.3 Procedure
• Clean the wheat samples free from dirt, broken kernels, shriveled kernels etc.
• Count 1000 sound wheat grains
• Record the weight of 1000 kernels
• Carry out the test in triplicate for each wheat sample
• Express the average value that is 1000 kernel weight in 'g'

2.2.4 Observations
Record the weight of 1000 kernels in grams.

2.2.5 Results
Assess the quality of wheats based on the results. The values range from 30 to
Sag. Higher the value, better is the wheat for milling in terms of flour yield.
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Practical- Manual for
Maize and Coarse Grains
2.3 PRECAUTIONS

• Use clean, dry wheats which are free from dirt, broken grains, shrunken kernels
and impurities.
• Store the wheat samples in air tight pouches
• Carry out the test in triplicates.