5. Conclusion

Figure 16. Comparison of experiment and FEM model for compressive force.

334 Advances in Seed Biology

Figure 17. Strain response: compressive stress, compressive energy, compressibility (system of seeds).

A detailed understanding of the mechanical behavior of plant seeds is currently an important science and technology challenge. Post-harvest geometrical and mechanical properties of the seeds or seeds mechanical behavior are important from the point of view of treatment process optimization and machines design. Basic dimensions and geometrical properties (length, width, thickness, mean diameters, seed surface area, sphericity, etc.) were described in this overview type of paper. Selected mechanical properties (e.g., compression energy, stress in the structure, coefficient of friction, rupture force, etc.) were also described. Mechanical behavior of seeds has been described and discussed in terms of both single seed and seeds-system. Selected experimental results from the research of mechanical behavior of J. curcas L. seeds were used to bring seeds behavior as a granular and particulate material closer to readers.
