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Document Type

Thesis - University Access Only

Award Date

1989

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department / School

Agricultural Engineering

Abstract

It is important to maintain a desired moisture range of 60 to 90% in the casing layer to produce an optimum mushroom yield. Finding a transducer capable of effectively measuring the casing· layer moisture content could greatly facilitate the ability to maintain the casing layer within its optimum moisture range. The effectiveness of a water manometer tensiometer and a pressure transducer tensiometer was evaluated when considering the factors of limestone level, bulk density, and room temperature. The pressure transducer tensiometer is more expensive than the water manometer tensiometer; however, it has major advantages of faster response time, more sensitivity, less space requirements, and provides voltage output. Results indicated that both tensiometers can be used to monitor the moisture content during the drying period of the sphagnum peat moss casing layer within an acceptable approximation of the casing layer moisture content.

Library of Congress Subject Headings

Casing soils

Tensiometers

Mushroom cultures

Format

application/pdf

Number of Pages

105

Publisher

South Dakota State University

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