Shear forces for dehulling, splitting and breaking raw and pretreated pigeonpeas

Summary An instrument to measure the seed coat adhesion, cotyledon adhesion and shear strength of pigeonpea grain was constructed using a peizo‐electric transducer. Urea was applied to scarified and non‐scarified grain and part was then heat treated. Seed coat adhesion was slightly reduced by scarification of grain and further reduced by urea plus heat treatment. Cotyledon adhesion was slightly reduced by urea plus heat but shear strength was unaffected. Pretreatments may lead to an improved quality product (good quality splits and less breakage). The instrument may be useful in assessing improved cultivars.