Separation of Flower Parts from Onion Seeds Using Magnetic Methods

ABSTRACT THE purpose of this research was to study the application of magnetic fluid in removing white-caps (pedicel parts) from onion seeds. The effects of magnetic fluid dilution on resulting separations and germination of treated onion seeds were studied. Magnetic fluid-aided trials were compared with conventional (iron powder and water) magnetic trials. Two commercial onion seed lots (moderate and high contamination) were used in these trials. The treatments included three dilutions of magnetic fluid (15:1, 10:1, and 5:1 water to fluid ratio by volume) and a mixture of iron powder (0.5 g) and water (0.3 g). A permanent magnetic-drum separator, measuring 0.08 tesla magnetic flux density at its surface, was used to separate the magnetics from the nonmagnetics. Magnetic (mostly white-caps) and nonmagnetic (mostly seed) fractions of each trial were weighed and analyzed. Germination tests were carried out on cleaned seed. Magnetic fluid did not remove all white-caps from the highly contaminated onion seed lot, but improved germination. Iron powder removed all white-caps, but did not remove low-germinating or shriveled seeds.