Applications In Agricultural Sector Research Articles

Study on Enhanced Methods for Calculating NH3 Emissions from Fertilizer Application in Agriculture Sector.

Ammonia is a representative PM-2.5 secondary product, and the need for management is emerging as health and living damage caused by fine particulate matter worsens. The main source of ammonia is the agricultural sector, and in Korea, 79% of the total ammonia emissions are emitted from the agricultural sector. Among them, there is high uncertainty about how to calculate emissions from ammonia discharged from fertilizer use, and inventory in the U.S. and Europe is borrowed, so inventory needs to be improved according to the situation in Korea. In this study, the ammonia inventory in the agricultural sector in Korea and abroad was examined, and additional activity data that can be used were reviewed. In addition, in order to improve the emission calculation method, the emission was calculated in three ways by different factors. As a result, it was confirmed that the amount of discharge varies depending on the type of soil use or whether cultivated crops are considered, and the possibility of excessive fertilizer top-dress by farmers was confirmed. In order to calculate the emission at a more detailed level based on this study, basic data such as fertilizer input method and regional distribution of crops should be systematically collected, and related follow-up studies should be conducted.

Chitosan-selenium nanoparticles (Cs–Se NPs) modulate the photosynthesis parameters, antioxidant enzymes activities and essential oils in Dracocephalum moldavica L. under cadmium toxicity stress

In view of damaging impacts of cadmium (Cd) toxicity on various vital processes of plants and strategies for alleviating these effects, selenium (Se) application has been recently achieved great attention. In addition, chitosan (CS) and its nano-form, besides many positive effects on plants, could be considered as an excellent adsorption matrix and a carrier for a wide range of materials like Se with various applications in agricultural sector. For that point, the combination nano-form of Se and CS (CS–Se NPs), using CS as a carrier and control releaser for Se, could enhance Se efficiency particularly at lower doses under stress conditions. Therefore, Se (10 mg L−1), CS (0.1%) and CS-Se NPs (in two concentrations; 5 and 10 mg L−1) were applied on Moldavian balm plant under 0, 2.5 and 5 mg kg−1 Cd-stress conditions. The results demonstrated that mostly Se and CS-Se NPs treatments could lessen negative effects of Cd-stress conditions through enhancing agronomic traits, photosynthetic pigments, chlorophyll fluorescence parameters and SPAD, proline, phenols, antioxidant enzymes activities and some dominant constituents of essential oils and decreasing MDA and H2O2. These encouraging impacts were more significant at lower dose of CS-Se NPs (5 mg L−1) introducing it as the best treatment to ameliorate Moldavian balm performance under Cd-stress conditions. In conclusion, CS-Se NPs could be considered as a supportive approach in plant production mainly under different heavy metal stressful conditions and probably a potential plant growth promoting and stress protecting agent with new outlooks for applying in agricultural sector.

Guar gum based hydrogel as controlled micronutrient delivery system: Mechanism and kinetics of boron release for agricultural applications.

A boron loaded super-absorbent hydrogel (BLSAH) was developed through in situ incorporation of boron (B) in a guar gum-based hydrogel and characterized with FTIR, thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and swelling studies, showing maximum absorption up to 356 g/g. The release pattern of B from the BLSAH and its kinetics was studied in water as well as soil. The B release pattern of the BLSAH was also compared with the commercial B fertilizer, boronated single super phosphate (bSSP). The BLSAH, following the Fickian mechanism, released 38% B, as compared with 51% of the bSSP, during the incubation period of 30 days in soil. The half-life period for the BLSAH (96.25 days) in soil was almost triple that of the bSSP's half-life (33.32 days), which is indicative of the slow and controlled release of B from the BLSAH. Thus, owing to its sustained nutrient release ability, the synthesized BLSAH exhibited wide potential for applications in agriculture sector.

Application of artificial intelligence in agriculture including horticulture

The agriculture industry in India is primarily based on conventional farming methods and age old work fundamentals,beliefs and practices. It is emerging as more vulnerable section among all the productive professions in terms of its modernization strategies to stand viable in spite of climatic adversities and other challenges. In present context, Indian agriculture sector is facing number of problems such as low productivity with poor quality production and inadequate marketing for better profitability.The digital technologies are the modern format of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) that offer many important applications in agriculture to increase productivity and profitability. The digital technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), Deep Learning (DL), Internet of Things (IoT), Virtual Reality (VR), Extended Reality (ER), Mixed Reality (MR), Multispectral and Hyperspectral Imaging, Drones, Robotics, Block Chain technology etc.find extensive scope of application in agriculture sector. The deployment of sensors on crop field and the management of sensor data with the help of Cloud based Artificial Intelligence algorithms and Big Data Analytics, has made Smart Farming grow exponentially as data have become the key element to help farmers in critical decision-making and to increase the crop productivity and its quality with optimum resource utilization, thus reducing overall expenditures and increasing the income of the farmers. The present article highlights some of the major applications of artificial intelligence based techniquesin agriculture.

Measurement of Leaf Spot Disease Severity in Turmeric Plant

Digital Image Processing (DIP) applications in agriculture sector is becoming popular because of its fast, cost-effective and accurate solutions related to diseases and marketing. The hands-on solutions are being provided through various applications. Leaf Sopot disease has become the major constraint in the turmeric cultivation in India. Colletotrichum capsici is a fungal disease commonly known as leaf Spot. The brown spots of 4-5 cm length and 2-3 cm width with a grey centre are found on either surface of the leaves. If not treated timely, it causes the heavy loss in terms of quality and quantity. This paper proposes the methodology using Image Processing for measuring the severity of this disease in plant pathology. The image acquisition of infected leaves is done in the first stage then the images are pre-processed. Histogram is used for colour feature extraction The Edge detection methodology is used for infected area measurement and the results are fed to disease classifier to identify the stage of disease. This helps the plant pathologist in preparing consultative module to eradicate the disease completely.

Current Knowledge of Mango and Fruit Fly (Diptera: Tephritidae) Control in Myanmar: A Review

Mango is one of the largest commercial fruits in Myanmar and the fruit fly, B. dorsalis and B. correcta are the major pests. Mango is a kind of native fruit which can grow well as natural vegetation throughout the entire country under the various climatic conditions. We aimed to point out overuse of insecticide application in agricultural sector of Myanmar and further criteria of effective fruit fly control techniques were also proposed for worldwide ecosystem. Traditional fruit fly control is primarily focused on the uncoordinated use of insecticide applications which is orchard-by-orchard strategy. However, in view of flying distance, this localized strategy is not successful and harms the ecosystem. Occasionally, fruit bagging technique was applied by some farmers. In Myanmar’s agricultural sector, numerous varieties of cheap insecticides which mostly imported from China were plentiful. While conventional insecticide application controls were implemented annually, the population of fruit flies increased year after year, particularly in tropical region. The requirement of technical-scientific research reduced the worldwide fruit fly records. Furthermore, traditional insecticide application approach inhibits the yield and quality of mangoes that have adversely affected international trade. Importantly, in long term period of the entire previous decade, the conventional insecticide application controls make more fruit fly infestation.

Effect Of Surface Alloying On Wear Behaviour OF En-47 Steel

Abstract Reducing wear would ensure minimize material loss, change over time and labour in different branches of industries. Hardfacing plays a major role in an industry and agriculture in reducing losses due to wear. In the present work three different types of hardfacing electrodes namely H1, H2 and VB were used to enhance the wear resistance of EN-47 steel, used for tillage application in agriculture sector by manual metal arc welding (MMAW) process. The abrasive wear behaviour of bare and hardfaced steel was evaluated by using dry sand rubber wheel tester according to procedure A of ASTM G65 standard. Microstructural characterization and surface analysis of worn out and fresh samples were made by using Optical and scanning electron microscopy. It is found that hardfaced steel (H1, H2 and VB) has significantly shown better wear resistance than bare steel. The wear resistance indices (WRI) of different steel hardfacings i.e. H1, H2 and VB were found to be 1.58, 1.37 and 1.82 respectively. The microstructure of VB hardfaced steel was found laminar dendrites

Energy Saving and Economic Analysis of Switched Reluctance Motor in Agricultural Applications

Improvement of efficiency in electrical machines for water lifting applications in agricultural sector results in large energy savings, which is very much important in the present scenario of energy crisis. Single and three phase induction motors are most commonly used in such applications. However, these machines consume more energy due to their low efficiencies. A comprehensive performance evaluation including the machine design, selection of converter topologies, method of control, practical implementation of drive system, and vibration analysis for an agriculture applications is not done so far. This paper discuses to design Switched Reluctance Motor suitable for use in agricultural applications. Select suitable drive systems for this motor, giving considerations to lower switching losses and easiness of control. To investigate suitable control strategies for the speed control of the motor. Experimental validation of the performances of the motor, along with the vibration analysis. A real time experiment is also conducted to demonstrate the suitability of Switched Reluctance Motor drive for water lifting application and finally, per year unit consumption of Single Phase Induction Motor and Switched Reluctance Motor are compared to prove the economic superiority of Switched Reluctance Motor.

PESTICIDES IMPORT, USE, CONSUMPTION AND RESIDUE STATUS AMONG FOOD CROPS IN NEPAL: A REVIEW

Insubstantial options for chemical pest management compelled farmers to use synthetic pesticides against crop insect pests that created vicious circle of increasing high-dose-pesticides applications in agriculture sector. The study was carried out to understand prevailing situation of pesticides uses and their state regulation status. Secondary data were obtained from Plant Protection Division, Plant Management and Registration Division, and FAOSTAT for drawing inferences and trend analysis. Chemical pest management commenced from using Paris green, Gamaxone, Nicotine sulphate and Chlorinated hydrocarbons in 1950s to 117 chemically defined pesticides including bio-pesticides and bio-rational compounds of 2186 formulations from 1960s to 2018 has made obvious changes in pest management scenario in the country. Per hectare pesticide consumption in Nepal is 396.0 gram (a.i.) while in commercial vegetable sector its consumption is as high as 1,600 gram a.i. per hectare. Option dearth but farmers’ reliability only in chemical applications in pest management in crop fields has resulted in repercussion of vicious circle of compelled higher dose pesticide applications in crops. Obvious result is scores of multitudes of pesticides crowded in market in the country. Above all, problems of pesticide residues in food grains and green vegetables are emerging.

Analysis of Crop Yield Prediction of Kharif & Rabi Jowar Crops Using Data Mining Techniques

Agriculture sector in India is facing rigorous problem to maximize crop productivity. More than 60 percent of the crop still depends on climatic factors like rainfall, temperature, humidity. This paper discusses the use of various Data Mining applications in agriculture sector. Data Mining is used to solve various problems in agriculture sector. It can be used it to solve yield prediction. The problem of yield prediction is a major problem that remains to be solved based on available data. Data mining techniques are the better choices for this purpose. Different Data Mining techniques are used and evaluated in agriculture for estimating the future year's crop production. In this paper we have focused on predicting crop yield productivity of kharif & Rabi Crops.

TOXICOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT OF COMBINED FUNGICIDES PROPOSED FOR APPLICATION ON CEREAL SPIKED CROPS IN UKRAINE

Toxicological assessment of combined fungicides proposed for application on cereal spiked crops in Ukraine was performed according approved State Sanitary Norms and Rules. Statistics, bibliographical methods were used in the study. The classes of hazard were established after evaluation of toxicometry parameters, which included assessment of acute oral toxicity, acute dermal toxicity, acute inhalation toxicity, irritation potential to eyes (mucous membranes) and skin, and sensitizing properties. Integral hazard class of the studied formulations was established. Formulations No.1, 2, 3, 5 and 7 can be pertained to integral hazard class 2 by acute inhalation toxicity as limiting criterion of hazard (formulation No.1 also has additional point of concern – its irritation of the skin and eyes). Formulation No.4, 6 and 8 were classified as integral hazard class 3 by the same limiting criterion of hazard, but the danger of formulation No.4 possibility to cause sensitization and irritation of the eyes was taken into account. Recommendations for the studied combined fungicides application in agricultural sector of Ukraine were given. Maximum daily time of contact with formulations for workers engaged in its application on cereal spiked crops was suggested. 4 hours per day were approved for formulations No.1,2,3,5 and 7, and 6 hours per day for No. 6 and 8, respectively

Review Article of Radio Frequency and Microwave Heating Treatment to Disinfest Kutu Beras in Malaysian Rice

This article presents the basic principle of radio frequency (RF) and microwave heating and its application in agricultural sector specifically to control rice insects for storage purpose. Experiment findings of the past few years are highlighted according to the heating mechanism which influence the response of rice and insect exposed to the microwave field.

Foliar application of moringa leaf extract, potassium and zinc influence yield and fruit quality of ‘Kinnow’ mandarin

‘Kinnow’ mandarin (Citrus nobilis L.×Citrus deliciosa T.) is the most important commercial citrus cultivar grown in Pakistan. Poor nutrient management practices in citrus orchards had significantly reduced its yield and fruit quality. Recent reports of Moringa olifera as a promising growth enhancer showed its potential for application in agriculture sector. Moringa leaf extract (MLE) is enriched with phytohormones, phenolics and minerals. Hence, present study was conducted to evaluate efficacy of MLE alone or in combination with zinc (Zn) (as ZnSO4) and potassium (K) (as K2SO4) on ‘Kinnow’ mandarin during two consecutive years (2013–2015). In first experiment, trees were sprayed with 3% MLE, 0.6% ZnSO4 and 0.25% K2SO4 alone and in combination with 3% MLE at fruit set stage (year-I); whilst, in second experiment trees were sprayed with 3% MLE at pre-mature stage and 3% MLE, 0.6% ZnSO4 and 0.25% K2SO4 at fruit set stage (year-II). Data were collected regarding leaf nutrient and ascorbic acid contents, yield and fruit quality. Leaf nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P), K, calcium (Ca), manganese (Mn) and Zn were significantly increased with all treatments in both experiments. Combined application of MLE, K and Zn at fruit set stage in both experiments resulted in significantly lower fruit drop and higher fruit set, yield, fruit weight, juice weight, soluble solid contents (SSC), vitamin C, sugars, total antioxidants and total phenolic contents. Activities of SOD and CAT enzymes in fruit juice were significantly increased with 3% MLE application in both experiments. Conclusively, combined foliar application of 3% MLE, 0.6% ZnSO4 and 0.25% K2SO4 at fruit set stage can be used effectively to improve leaf nutrient status, fruit yield and quality of ‘Kinnow’ mandarin trees.

Ergonomics Perspective in Agricultural Research: A User-Centred Approach Using CAD and Digital Human Modeling (DHM) Technologies

Computer-aided Design (CAD) and Digital Human Modeling (DHM) (specialized CAD software for virtual human representation) technologies endow unique opportunities to incorporate human factors pro-actively in design development. Challenges of enhancing agricultural productivity through improvement of agricultural tools/machineries and better human–machine compatibility can be ensured by adoption of these modern technologies. Objectives of present work are to provide the detailed scenario of CAD and DHM applications in agricultural sector; and finding out means for wide adoption of these technologies for design and development of cost-effective, user-friendly, efficient and safe agricultural tools/equipment and operator’s workplace. Extensive literature review has been conducted for systematic segregation and representation of available information towards drawing inferences. Although applications of various CAD software have momentum in agricultural research particularly for design and manufacturing of agricultural equipment/machinery, use of DHM is still at its infancy in this sector. Current review discusses about reasons of less adoption of these technologies in agricultural sector and steps to be taken for their wide adoption. It also suggests possible future research directions to come up with better ergonomic design strategies for improvement of agricultural equipment/machines and workstations through application of CAD and DHM.

Hygienic estimation of occupational risk and substantiation of regulations on Orvego Fungicide safe application in agricultural sector.

Hygienic evaluation of labour conditions during Orvego pesticide application on grapes and onion was carried out and content of ametoctradin and dimethomorp in the working zone air, atmospheric air, and the soil was studied. The findings allow to substantiate ametoctradin hygienic standards in the working zone air, atmospheric air, and the soil and to elaborate regulations of Orvego pesticide safe application in agriculture. Estimation of complex risk of ametoctradin and dimethomorp effects via different routes of exposure during airblast and boom spraying treatment showed that the values of the risks were within the ranges of allowable (<1). Values of combined risk during simultaneous effect of the both active ingredients do not exceed allowable level (<1) either.

Screening of endophytic bacteria isolated from leaves of Sambung Nyawa [Gynura procumbens (Lour.) Merr.] for cytokinin-like compounds.

Endophytic bacteria are harmless in most plant species; and known to boost the growth and development of the host plants probably by secreting growth hormones. The isolation, identification and screening of endophytic bacteria for the plant growth regulators like cytokinin are needed to get the leads for their applications in agriculture sector. We describe the isolation and identification of the bacterial endophytes from the leaves of Sambung Nyawa [Gynura procumbens (Lour.) Merr.] and their screening for cytokinin-like compounds. We isolated three endophytic bacteria from the leaves of G. procumbens collected from the forest research institute of Malaysia (FRIM). They were further identified using amplified 16S rRNA gene sequence based method of bacterial identification. The ethyl acetate extracts of the isolates-broth were analyzed using cucumber cotyledon greening bioassay (CCGB) to determine the presence of cytokinin-like compounds. Consequently, the bacterial putative endophytes were identified as Psuedomonas resinovorans, Paenibacillus polymaxa, and Acenitobacter calcoaceticus. Broth-extracts from two (Psuedomonas resinovorans and Paenibacillus polymaxa) of the three putative bacterial endophytes show the positive results in their screening for cytokinin-like compounds using CCGB. Thus, we hypothesize that the bacterial putative endophytes of G. procumbens that produce cytokinin-like compounds might have a role in the growth and development of G. procumbens. CCGB - Cucumber cotyledon greening bioassay, rDNA - Ribosomal DNA, K12, BAP - 6-Benzylaminopurine, Db1, MSA - Multiple sequence alignment. 8081.