Variation of Moisture Content and Transmission in Pumpkin and Tomato Leaves Using β-Source

Moisture content of pumpkin and tomato leaves has been estimated at different thickness using mass attenuation coefficient and β-transmitted intensity with ²⁰⁴Tl and ⁶⁰Co as radioactive source. Transmission study through fresh and dry leaves of pumpkin and tomato was done using ²⁰⁴Tl radioactive source. Relative transmission (%) versus thickness curves were plotted for fresh and dry state of selected plant leaves and it was observed that transmission curve for dry leaves had more slope than fresh leaves. Beta attenuation is a useful technique to estimate the moisture content of plants rapidly and non-destructively.