Methods for measuring MC

Primary method

The most exact method only uses weight measurements and is therefore also called primary method.  A rice with a certain moisture content is weighed, then the water is evaporated from the sample using heated air until no weight change is observed anymore, and the remaining "dry matter" is weighed again. The moisture content is then calculated. Since weight measurements are very exact this so called "oven method" is usually used as the reference method for scientific trials.

Secondary method

Secondary methods are less exact since they measure either the electrical resistance or di-electrical properties of paddy using electronic instruments. These methods are less accurate and than the primary method but produce results within seconds or minutes and are therefore usually used in postharvest management and for trade.