Calibration of moisture meters for rough rice using the oven standard method

The procurement of paddy is based upon some qualitative factors along with the moisture content of the grain. The moisture content is determined with the use of different moisture meters by various rice procuring agencies. However, these meters are never calibrated against the reference oven method. In the present study, nine available moisture meters were calibrated against the reference oven method for the four above stated varieties of paddy. Regression equations for different moisture meters for each variety along with its correlation coefficient were determined to evaluate the reliability of the results. Conversion charts are also given for the benefit of ultimate users of the moisture meters during paddy procurement, drying, storage, and milling. The accuracy of each moisture meter for different varieties at various moisture ranges is also discussed. It is noted that most of the moisture meters studied gave readings close to the reference oven method at lower limits of moisture content, while they differ with that of oven values at higher moisture content ranges. (Author abstract)