Agricultural Engineering International (E-Journal, CIGR - International Commission of Agricultural Engineering)
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Development an Indigenous Maize De-Husking Machine
Full text linkMaize post- harvest operation most especially de-husking and shelling are still a challenge in low developing countries with more efforts required in advancing the operations. The development of a maize de-husking machine was undertaken for de-husking process in a farm settlement. The developed machine used shearing action developed by a rubberized roller to achieved the maize de-husking operation. The main feature of maize de-husking machine majorly consists of four (4) basic units including, feeding unit, de-husking unit, power transmission, discharge outlet. The de-husking unit includes the rubberized and conveyor rollers and the top cover. The rubberized rollers were made from 15mm thick rubber extracted from a used tyre. The experimental treatments included two level of maize moisture (14 and 16%), three level of roller speeds (400, 500 and 600rpm) and three level of feeding rate (2,4 6, kg). The measure variable in the evaluation of the machine included de-husking capacity, de-husking efficiency, grain loss. the factors were selected to investigate the influence of the machine variables, crop parameters ad their interaction on the machine performance. The result of the performance evaluation of the machine showed that the highest de-husking capacity, efficiency and losses were 340kg/hr, 89.94% and 9.89%, respectively. The developed maize de-husking machine can be adopted for commercial processing of maize
RICE CROP YIELD PREDICTION USING HIERARCHICAL TIME SERIES FORECASTING WITH ENSEMBLE TECHNIQUES IN TELANGANA REGION: RICE CROP YIELD PREDICTION
No full textAgriculture is the main source of income especially rice production for the great majority of people. In agriculture, accurate rice crop yield forecasting is crucial for making various crop production-related policy decisions that will assure the supply of food. Taking into account, many works concentrating on machine learning and ensemble based techniques; however, it has several limitations such as increased complexity, overfitting and underfitting, struggle to generalize effectively. Therefore, to overcome the limitations this research proposed a novel rice crop yield prediction using hierarchical time series forecasting with ensemble techniques in Telangana region. In the initial stage, the collected dataset is pre-processed to improve the accuracy of the prediction in which the missing values in imputed by k-NN imputation method and normalization used to normalize the input data. Then, this pre-processed input data is start by organizing the crop yield data into a hierarchical structure by using grid based ARIMA model. Moreover, this research utilizing XGBoosting as a meta-model and train the meta-model using the new dataset. As a result, by combining the ARIMA-based Hierarchical time series forecasting model with a stacking ensemble provides a higher accuracy
Optimization of the operational parameters of an inclined plate type planter for soybean using response surface methodology
Full text linkThe developed planter was tested in laboratory for optimizing of the performance parameters of the newly developed tractor operated inclined plate planter having combination of forward speed (2.5 km/h, 3 km/h, 3.5 km/h, 4 km/h) with seed plate opening (25%, 50%, 75%,) for soybean crop. Performance was analysed on the basis of miss index, multiple index, quality feed index and uniformity index. Response Surface Methodology was used to analyse output response and input variables and to find out the optimum operating condition for inclined plate planter. The optimized operational parameters were forward speed and seed plate opening and observed to be optimised at the forward speed of 3.43 km/h with 50 per cent seed plate opening. The RSM result shows that the machine satisfactory performed at optimum operating conditions for forward speed 3.43 km/h with 50 per cent seed plate opening to these values of output variables of 2.60 per cent, 6.69 per cent, 90.71 per cent and 76.07 per cent of miss index, multiple index, quality feed index and uniformity index were respectively for soybean.
The developed planter was tested in laboratory for optimizing of the performance parameters of the newly developed tractor operated inclined plate planter having combination of forward speed (2.5 km/h, 3 km/h, 3.5 km/h, 4 km/h) with seed plate opening (25%, 50%, 75%,) for soybean crop. Performance was analysed on the basis of miss index, multiple index, quality feed index and uniformity index. Response Surface Methodology was used to analyse output response and input variables and to find out the optimum operating condition for inclined plate planter. The optimized operational parameters were forward speed and seed plate opening and observed to be optimised at the forward speed of 3.43 km/h with 50 per cent seed plate opening. The RSM result shows that the machine satisfactory performed at optimum operating conditions for forward speed 3.43 km/h with 50 per cent seed plate opening to these values of output variables of 2.60 per cent, 6.69 per cent, 90.71 per cent and 76.07 per cent of miss index, multiple index, quality feed index and uniformity index were respectively for soybean
EN Physical attributes of a Quartzarenic Neosol treated with hydrogel
No full textThis study aimed to evaluate the effect of different doses of hydrogel on the physical attributes of sandy-textured soil in a semi-arid region. To this end, sandy-textured soil was mixed with hydrated hydrogel in a two-liter vase in the laboratory under normal temperature conditions between 25 and 27 °C. The experiment was conducted in randomized blocks with five doses of hydrogel (0.0, 0.6, 1.2, 2.4, and 4.8 g L-1) with four replications over nine weeks. The polymer used was a commercial hydrogel based on cross-linked potassium polyacrylate. At the end of the experiment, soil density, particle density, total soil porosity, soil granulometric analysis, and water-dispersed clay were analyzed after nine weeks of applying the hydrogel doses to the soil. The results showed that the hydrogel altered the physical attributes of the soil, such as soil density and total porosity. The sand, silt, and clay fractions were impacted as well as the degree of flocculation. Therefore, there is evidence that the application of hydrogel to sandy soils contributes to an improvement in their physical attributes, especially in soil density, total porosity, and degree of flocculation of these soils, thus favoring a better permeability of agricultural soils and contributing to gas exchange occurring more efficiently in the soil system.
Keywords: hydrogel, water storage, soil physical quality, semi-arid
A Sustainable Approach of Low-Cost Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) with Recycled Tire Tubes for Enhancing Growth and Yield in Tomato Cultivation
No full textDue to urbanization and the increasing world population, people are facing various challenges, such as growing food demand, limitations in soil for agriculture, and the disposal of waste materials. The generation of waste tire tubes is one of the rising issues. Utilizing waste tire tubes for agriculture could be a great solution. However, many novel growing methods, such as the Nutrient Film Technique (NFT), require expensive materials. This study aims to evaluate the growth, yield performance, and fruit quality of hybrid tomatoes (Umagna) cultivated in different hydroponic systems, including an NFT system made with recycled tire tubes. The results of this study demonstrate that tomato plants were grown using two different methods: the Open Bag System (OBS) and the NFT system. Plant growth parameters varied among the treatments, including plant height, number of leaves, and days to first flowering. The average number of fruits per plant was higher in the NFT system. Plant height exhibited the highest mean values in the NFT system until the second inflorescence stage, while OBS recorded the highest plant height at the end of the experiment period. The growing method had a significant effect on the total fresh matter content. The dry matter content of roots and leaves was significantly higher in the NFT method. This study shows that the NFT system provides the opportunity to produce higher tomato yields compared to those obtained by conventionally used OBS
A GIS-BASED ANALYTICAL HIERARCHY PROCESS MODELING FOR AGRICULTURAL-LAND SUITABILITY IN AWKA SOUTH LGA
Full text linkThis study aimed at performing a GIS-Based Analytical Hierarchy Process Modeling for agricultural land suitability in Awka South L.G.A. Its objectives of the study are to: establish the factors for agricultural land suitability in Awka South L.G.A; reclassify and standardize the factors for agricultural suitability; calculate the weights and consistency of the classified factors; and determine the most suitable areas for agriculture practices in the Awka South L.G.A. The methodological approach employed the assessment of factors in modelling and mapping agricultural suitability in Awka South L.G.A. This assessment was based on a wide range of criteria, including slope, elevation, soil, temperature, precipitation, drainage network, and landcover/landuse. The Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) was used to compare and determine the relative importance of these criteria through matrix comparisons. Subsequently, these criteria were assigned relative weights. To generate the final suitability map, a Weighted Overlay technique was applied, integrating the various suitability criteria maps. The findings revealed three distinct suitability zones for the area under study: high suitability, moderate suitability, and low suitability. High suitability encompassed an area of 33.324 km2, constituting 20.23% of the total coverage. The moderate suitability zone extended over 89.294 km2, representing a substantial 54.23% coverage. The low suitability zone covered 42.032 km2, accounting for 25.52% of the whole area. These delineations provide a comprehensive understanding of the distribution and extent of suitability within the study area. It was recommended that priority should be given to the development and intensification of agricultural activities in areas identified as High suitability zones. This zone represents prime agricultural land, and efforts should be directed towards maximizing productivity while implementing sustainable farming practice
An Analysis of Energy Consumption and GHG Emissions in Some Horticultural Crops Seedlings Production in Greenhouse
No full textIn order to analyze and compare energy consumption and greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions in some horticultural grafted and non-grafted crops seedlings (watermelon, bell pepper, tomato and eggplant) production. This study was designed and carried out in a greenhouse located in Mohammadshahr, Alborz province of Iran. The results showed that total energy consumption for grafted seedlings of watermelon, bell pepper, tomato, and eggplant were 2753347, 2289304, 2261888, and 1958799 MJ per 1 million seedlings (MS-1) and for non-grafted types were 415931, 365433.6, 413881.8 and 436663.81 MJ.MS-1, respectively. Average of cosumed energy for grafted seedling production was 467.64% more than non-grafted type. The inputs of electricity, plastic and natural gas had the largest share in energy consumption in grafted seedlings production with 44.15, 27.08 and 25.26%, and on the other hand, the inputs of natural gas, electricity and plastic had the largest share with 47.98, 35.03 and 8.24%, respectively, in non-grafted seedlings production. The share of consumption of non-renewable energy resources increased from 84.28% for non-grafted seedlings to 96.93% in grafted seedlings due to the greater use of inputs such as plastic and natural gas. The GHG emissions in non-grafted watermelon, bell pepper, tomato, and eggplant seedlings production increased from 21538.61, 19549.72, 21441.77 and 22597.51 Kgco2eq.MS-1 to 133257.1, 109510.6, 108537.8 and 93891.4 Kgco2eq.MS-1, respectively. The average of GHG emissions in grafted seedlings production was 422.98% higher than non-grafted type
Wheat crop productivity requirements using modern irrigation technology
Full text linkThe development and modernization of the agricultural sector has become a great importance matter and inevitability that requires putting the scientific progress results using advanced scientific and technological foundations into practical application and making efforts to expand the scope of its dissemination and adopting new agricultural innovations and techniques and understanding the farmers by applying them in order to reach the optimal use of their resources and raise production rates to the maximum possible extent, the main goal was to use a modern irrigation technology that meets the crop's needs throughout the growth period with the highest productivity. The presented research transpired in 2023 in the Al-Shomali area, Babil City, Iraq, smart irrigation use for the subsurface drip irrigation system(SDIS ), with two dripper drainage of 6 and 8L.hr-1and two drip irrigation distances of 20, and 25 cm on two wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) varieties, i.e., Tamoz-2 (T-2), and Bhooth -22 (B-22), The T-2 variety was significantly better than B-22 variety in all studied parameters. For T-2 variety, the plant height (Ph), spike length(SL), spikes number(SN), chlorophyll percentage(CP), grains number(GNS), 1000 grains weight (1000GW), and grain yield (GY), were 90.57cm, 15.85cm, 324.88 spike.m2, 67.36 %, 81.67grain.spike-1, 49.31 g and 6.24t.ha-1 respectively, The dripper distance 25 cm was significantly superior to the other level of 20 cm in all studied parameters, while the dripper drainage at range of 8 L.hr-1 was significantly superior to the other range of 6L.hr-1 in all parameters.  
Comparative study of the hydraulic characteristics of Moistube and SLECI irrigation systems and conventional drip irrigation
No full textWater scarcity associated with intense droughts due to climate change calls for improved irrigation techniques in arid zones. In this study, a series of tests was installed in the laboratory to define the discharge-pressure relationship and flow uniformity of the new Moistube and Self-regulating, Low Energy, Clay-based Irrigation (SLECI) systems in comparison with conventional drip irrigation. Moistube and SLECI are a new subsurface irrigation technology where the water emits at a slow rate depending on the applied pressure and soil water potential. There is currently limited information on the performance of these technologies with respect to discharge as a function of pressure or water quality. The aim of this study was to determine hydraulic characteristics of these systems under different operating pressures by determining water distribution homogeneity at variable laterals lengths. The results show that the Moistube system has very low tolerance to pressure variation and high heterogeneity of water distribution. The coefficient of variation stills in the acceptable range (<20%) and decreases with operating pressure. The SLECI system is tolerant to pressure variations and characterized by a partially turbulent flow. Conventional self-regulating drippers are highly tolerant to pressure variation. The results obtained suggest that the length of laterals should be taken into account in the design of these systems to ensure homogeneous and uniform irrigation, generally not exceeding 40 m. The results of this study should help in the design, operation and maintenance of Moistube and SLECI systems
Determination of the physiochemical characteristics of hotel food waste and its biogas fuel potential in Nairobi City County, Kenya.: food waste, hotel, biogas, biomethane potential, Nairobi City County
No full textHotels are the source of large quantities of food waste, which can potentially be used for the generation of biogas for different applications, including agriculture. Thus, the purpose of this study was to investigate the physiochemical characteristics and biogas potential of the food waste generated by hotels in Nairobi City County, Kenya. To achieve this, a composition and physiochemical analysis of the feedstock were undertaken, which involved collecting and analysing a food waste sample of 130kg, which gives an accuracy the same as that of a 1000kg sample, according to the literature. In addition, the theoretical biomethane potential of food waste was determined using the Buswell and Carbon Balance equations, and the theoretical results were validated using anaerobic digestion experiments. The analysis showed that the fractions of different FW groups were fruits and vegetables (46%), roots and tubers (17%), meat and fish (14%), grains and cereals (9%), others (8%), bakery (4%), and tea and coffee (2%). The hotel food waste total solids, volatile solids, pH, COD, carbohydrates, and protein contents were determined to be 9.6%, 8.81%, 4.65, 142.3 g/L, 70%, and 13%, respectively. The C, H, O, N, and S compositions of the FW were 48.46%, 9.8%, 30.48%, and 2.2%, respectively.The test results showed that, based on these physiochemical characteristics, the hotel food waste had a theoretical methane yield of 643.07 mL/gVS and an experimental methane yield of 518.53 ± 9.69 mL/gVS. The experimental yield was almost equal to an average biomethane potential of food waste (i.e., 525.65 CH4 ml/gVS) based on the results of the other similar studies. Therefore, the hotel food waste can be used as an alternative feedstock for biogas generation if it is properly secured by, among other things, promoting onsite segregation of the hotel food waste