Introduction
We are using a lot of separation techniques to separate mixtures in our daily life. The separation technique is primarily based on the nature of components in that mixture. Filtration, hand picking, decanting, sieving etc., are the basic separation techniques that we are adopting in our daily life. Have you ever thought of how the grains that we are directly using from the market are processed? Is there any separation technique to separate the grain from the chaff? The answer is yes. And that separation technique is known as winnowing, which means separation with the help of wind. In this topic, we are discussing what is winnowing, its uses, advantages and disadvantages.
What is Winnowing?
Winnowing is a separation technique in which lighter particles from heavier components are separated out either by blowing air or by the wind. This is basically used to separate grains from the chaff in the paddy field. In traditional winnowing, the dried grains were allowed to fall from a definite height using a shovel and sieve. During this, lighter particles flew in the air, and the heavier particles fell down. It is an important step in agriculture. Through this process of separation, we are getting clean grains. In grains, chaff is present; this chaff is lighter particles, so during winnowing, it will fly into the air, and heavier grains fall down.
Principle of Winnowing
The winnowing principle is based on the difference in mass between components. If a mixture contains two components, one is lighter in weight compared to the other one, then it can be separated by winnowing. The mixture is allowed to fall down from a height while the wind is blowing through it lighter components will blow off by the wind, and the heavier component will fall down.
Significance of Winnowing in Agriculture
As said before, winnowing is an important process in agriculture. It is done after the process of threshing in the cleaning process of grains. The purpose of winnowing is the removal of chaff. Chaff is the protective casing of seed. It is dry and scaly. The human intestine cannot digest this chaff. Hence it should be removed even after threshing chaff may not be removed. So winnowing is done to remove these lighter particles.
Winnowing Techniques
Winnowing is used to remove lighter chaff from grains in the paddy field. Traditional winnowing depends on the natural wind. In this process, dried grains are allowed to fall from a height using a shovel and sieve. It has a lot of limitations, like it can not carry out in the rainy season, and farmers have to wait for the wind and should know the direction of the wind also.
To overcome this, in 1737, Andrew Rodger invented the machine called fanner. It can produce wind artificially, and it is considered the first winnowing machine. Nowadays, so many winnowing machines are available in the market. It has pedals so that the speed of wind can be adjusted. These machines made the winnowing process easy. Now we can do winnowing in a closed room, and tons of grains can be cleaned within a very short span of time.
Winnowing fan is another technique of winnowing. A traditional winnowing fan is a specially shaped basket in which grains are shaken, and the lighter particles are blown away with the wind. Nowadays, these winnowing fans are machines which can produce artificial wind. It can be made from bamboo, cane, and paper also.
The winnowing fork is another technique. In which a tool similar to a pitchfork is used to remove the chaff from grains with the help of wind. By winnowing, fork-harvested grains are lifted into the wind. Then chaff particles blow away with the wind, and grains fall to the threshing floor.
Advantages of Winnowing
Winnowing is a crucial process in the cleaning of grain
Winnowing helps to remove indigestive chaff from grains, and this chaff can give to livestock
Winnowing machines are eas
To handle, pollution free, and has less maintenance.
Grains like wheat, rice, corn etc., can be cleaned by this process.
Disadvantages of Winnowing
Through this process, we can separate light impurities like chaff
We can not separate impurities heavier than a grain
Impurities like stones can not be removed
The scope of separation of impurities is limited in winnowing.
Applications of Winnowing
The husk of wheat can be removed
Straw from corn can be removed.
Impurities in the grains can be removed.
Interesting Facts About Winnowing
The first winnowing machine was invented in 1737, called fanner by Andrew Rodger.
A rotary winnowing fan can produce an air stream is used by ancient china to improve winnowing.
In 1700 these rotary winnowing fans were exported to Europe by Dutch.
Key Features
Winnowing separates lighter impurities from heavier components with the help of wind.
This technique is used in agriculture to clean grains by removing chaff.
Traditional winnowing was carried out by using a shovel and sieve.
Winnowing fan and winnowing fork are other winnowing tools.
Difference Between Winnowing and Threshing
Conclusion
The study notes on Winnowing provide a complete overview of the process of winnowing, including an overview of its origin, description, and the advances made in the process with the progress of industrialization.
FAQs on Winnowing
1. What are the advantages of winnowing?
Winnowing is based on a principle of the natural sciences. When a mixture is said to have two components, the one which is lighter can be separated from the other component with a blow of the wind. While this is possible for chaff, if there are stones in the rice grains one may have to manually remove them. Nevertheless, it is quite a useful technique in agriculture and essential when it comes to paddy cultivation. When the rice is separated from the husk, the husk is then given to animals as food. Thus, an entire ecosystem is sustained. We can also separate other grains like wheat, millet, etc. from lighter materials like chaff and straw with winnowing.
2. What is the difference between threshing and winnowing?
In the process of winnowing, we separate rice grains from husk. In threshing, the edible rice is loosened from the non-edible chaff. Traditionally farmers would drop dried grains from a height using sieves and shovels and wait for the winds to blow away the chaff. During threshing, farmers would strike the crop on a hard surface. Winnowing, therefore, is the process that follows threshing.
3. What is the modern-day machine-like? What are some examples of winnowing?
Winnowing machines have made progress over the years. The modern-day machine is a combined one for threshing and winnowing. Farmers would earlier beat the crops to separate the edible rice from non-edible stalks followed by throwing the grains from a height so that winds could blow away the remaining chaff. These two processes constituted threshing and winnowing. Today, a farmer can save his time by using the same machine for both tasks. Thus he can get large amounts of crucial sorting processes done at any season and acquire profits for the same. Dirt particles can also be removed from grains through the process of winnowing. Crop can also be separated from straw through this process.
4. How can I prepare for topics like winnowing and threshing with Vedantu?
Winnowing is a part of chemistry because the principle used is the separation of two components of a mixture. Vedantu, which caters to 40,000+ students across the country, offers a variety of resources for the preparation of such topics. You can find comprehensive articles on winnowing here. Aside from that, the topic is also included in revision notes as per the syllabus of the grade you belong to. You can easily use these links to make your own notes and enhance your understanding!
5. What are the methods of study I can follow for theoretical topics?
While the best option to study topics from physics and mathematics is consistent practice, the optimal way for students to go through theories and concepts is to revise consistently. One of the best techniques is to make use of the textbook and the resources available on Vedantu to create your own notes. How do revision notes help? They are most handy when students wish to have a brief glance at topics, remember keywords and go through days before the exam. They also enhance attention and build focus because the student is completely engaged in the process of study.
6. What is threshing?
Threshing is the process by which grains are separated from plants.
7. Why is winnowing important in the paddy field?
Even after threshing, chaff from grain is not removed. It is inedible and indigestive to human beings. Winnowing helps to remove it with the help of the wind.
8. What is the difference between threshing and winnowing?
Threshing is done after reaping in grain preparation. It helps to remove grain from plants. It is done by beating the grain on a threshing surface with a flail.
Winnowing is the next step after threshing. It removes chaff and pets from grain. Here grains throw into the air from a height, then the wind blows off lighter impurities, and heavier grains will fall down.
