Determination of relevant parameters in the red clover seed processing (Trifolium pratense L.)

The paper presents the results of the seed processing of the natural red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) seed with different initial purity in the seed processing center in the Institute for forage crops in Kruševac. Seeds of red clover for sowing must be clean, with high germination and high genetic value. Most of these requirements can be achieved through the seed processing, by the removal of impurities and seeds of poorer quality. In this process, there are number of technical-technological operations such as: cleaning, declarations, packaging in appropriate wrapping material and storage. The task of cleansing seeds is to remove all other seeds, weeds, impurities and extracts pure seed of the basic culture. In this way, the seed is prepared in a timely manner for good germination, sprouting, and cropping. During the processing of the red clover seeds, the relevant parameters on the equipment were determined: pure seed (%), weeds and seed of other cultures (%), inert matter (%), amount of processed seed (kg), seed losses (%) and processing output of the seed processing (%). The losses of red clover seeds in seed processing are in direct dependence on the type and quantity of weeds and other impurities present in the natural seed. On the basis of the obtained results, it is possible to optimally adjust and select the appropriate equipment for the red clover processing, depending on the quantity and type of weeds and other ingredients in the natural red clover seeds.