Field Verification Research Articles

An assessment of image classifiers for generating machine-learning training samples for mapping the invasive Campuloclinium macrocephalum (Less.) DC (pompom weed) using DESIS hyperspectral imagery

Machine-learning algorithms may require large numbers of reference samples to train depending on the spatial and spectral heterogeneity of the mapping area. Acquiring these reference samples using traditional field data collection methods is a challenge due to time constraints, logistical limitations, and terrain inaccessibility. The aim of study was to assess how parametric, nonparametric, and spectral matching image classifiers can be used to generate a large number of accurate training samples from minimal ground control points to train machine-learning algorithms for mapping the invasive pompom weed using 30 m DESIS hyperspectral data. Three image classifiers, namely, maximum likelihood classifier (MLC), support vector machine (SVM) and spectral angle mapper (SAM) were selected to represent each of the three types of image classifiers under investigation in this study. Results show that the SAM, MLC and SVM classifiers had pixel-based classification accuracies of 87%, 73% and 67% for the pompom-containing pixels class, respectively. Furthermore, an independent field verification for the SAM classification was conducted yielding a 92% overall mapping accuracy for the pompom-containing pixels class. A total of 4000 pompom-containing and 8000 non-pompom-containing training samples were generated from an SAM classification that was trained using only 20 endmembers. Overall, this study presents a potential solution strategy that has significant implications for generating large numbers of reference training samples for mapping invasive alien plants from new generation spaceborne hyperspectral imagery using machine-learning algorithms.

QUEFTS Model-based Estimation of the Nutrient Requirements and Fertilizer Recommendation for Chinese Onion

Accurate estimation of the nutrient requirements of Chinese onion is essential to increase its nutrient utilization efficiency and yield. In this study, the yield and nutrient uptake data were collected from major Chinese onion growing regions during 2001 to 2018, and the relationship between Chinese onion yield and nutrient uptake was evaluated using the Quantitative Evaluation of the Fertility of Tropical Soils (QUEFTS) model. The QUEFTS model predicted the linear-parabolic platform curve of the balanced nutrient uptake of Chinese onion and estimated the demand of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) for the potential target yields ranging from 40 t/ha to 120 t/ha. The nutrients required for the target yield increased linearly before reaching 60% to 70% of the potential yield. Nutrient requirements for producing 1 t of Chinese onion were 1.91 kg N–0.28 kg P–1.71 kg K. The corresponding nutrient internal efficiency (IE, yield per unit nutrient uptake) was 524.6 kg/kg, 3585.7 kg/kg, and 584.3 kg/kg for N, P and K, respectively. Subsequently, a nutrition decision-making software, Nutrient Expert (NE), for the Chinese onion was developed based on the improved QUEFTS model. Field verification studies for NE fertilizer recommendation were conducted in multiple Chinese onion growing plots for 2 consecutive years. Results showed that the QUEFTS model can be used to accurately estimate the nutrient requirements for Chinese onion within a defined range of target yield.

Prediction and mitigation of AC interference on the pipeline system

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to predict and mitigate AC interference on buried pipeline systems due to transmission lines. Modeling and field verification of AC interference is done. The article also presents the issue of optimizing the mitigation measures. The paper uses the field data on soil resistivity, transmission line, and pipeline details to develop a model using current distribution electromagnetic interference grounding and soil structure analysis (CDEGS) software to predict the AC interference on the pipeline system. The model is validated with field measurements, and post-mitigation measures are considered. Mitigation measures are optimized to develop an economical mitigation plan. The case demonstrates the use of modeling techniques to predict and mitigate AC interference on pipelines. The field validation of modeling results helps improve the modeling results and plan optimized mitigation measures. The study requires providing comprehensive field data relevant to the pipeline system under consideration. The accuracy of the field data may have a bearing on the outcome of the study. The study enables designing and optimizing mitigation measures using modeling. Comparisons with field measurements help achieve desired pipeline system integrity against AC corrosion.

Simultaneous inversion of spectral IP data with frequency constraints

Spectral-induced polarization (SIP) measures the apparent complex resistivities (CRs) of electrical current sources at frequencies of less than 10 kHz. The measured apparent CRs are usually inverted to recover the intrinsic subsurface CRs, which depend on the source frequencies. The Cole-Cole (CC) model is commonly used to describe the dispersion characteristics of the intrinsic CRs; electrical resistivity, chargeability, and the time and relaxation constants can be derived using this model. For quantitative estimation of these parameters, a reliable inversion method for multifrequency SIP datasets is required. Conventionally, SIP data at each frequency are independently and sequentially inverted. This does not consider the relationships between SIP datasets of different frequencies. To consider such relationships, here, we simultaneously invert multi-frequency SIP datasets by introducing frequency-smoothness constraints between adjacent frequencies. We numerically verified the utility of the approach in terms of both amplitude and phase recovery; the method yielded more reliable relaxation models (e.g., CC models) than conventional inversion. For field verification, the method was applied to SIP data of several frequencies obtained in South Korea.

Detection of huanglongbing of citruses (Citrus sp.) through Sentinel-2satellite images in Huimanguillo, Tabasco, Mexico

Objective: Develop a fast, practical, and inexpensive methodology for determining plants with HLB symptoms by exploring the potential use of Sentinel-2 satellite images. Design/Methodology/Approach: Sentinel-2 images were used to perform a supervised classification to discriminate healthy Persian lime trees and trees with HLB molecularly verified by qPCR, and other land uses in the citrus growing area of Huimanguillo, Tabasco. Results: The results showed that in the green (560nm), red (665 nm), and near-infrared (705 nm) band regions, the spectral response of trees with HLB is higher than that of healthy trees. Likewise, there is an area of 26.96 and 12 981 hectares of Persian lime affected and free of HLB, respectively, with an accuracy of 0.84 % and a Kappa coefficient of 0.83. Field verification corroborated three plantations where plants with HLB were previously detected and are currently in production. Study Limitations/Implications: The study was carried out in the season of less cloud cover, as this is a limiting factor for the image analysis since it can lead to inadequate tracking of the affected area. Findings/Conclusions: The results showed that it is possible to differentiate Persian lime plants affected by HLB from healthy plants using Sentinel-2 satellite images

Study on Stability of Stope Surrounding Rock under Repeated Mining in Close-Distance Coal Seams

In order to study the influence of roof stress and fracture distribution characteristics on the stability of stope surrounding rock under repeated mining in close-distance coal seams, the research background of this paper is the close-distance coal seam mining of a mine in Guizhou province, China. The dynamic evolution characteristics of stope roof caving and the stress environment change law under repeated mining are studied by using the method of similar simulation experiment, numerical simulation, and field verification. The results show that the roof stage under repeated mining can be divided into four stages: normal mining, roof deterioration, end face roof leaks, and support crushing. The tip-to-face distance, support height, and support working condition are the main influencing factors in end face roof control. The main reason for the support crushing is that the roof above the support is broken, the main roof cannot form the self-stable structure, and the support force is insufficient. The roof dynamic load is high, and the subsidence of the end face roof is large, which is prone to roof caving during the stope roof weighting. Moreover, the roof weighting is frequent under repeated mining, which leads to the broken roof and the support cannot be supported, resulting in the occurrence of the support crushing accident. The control strategies for stope roof under repeated mining are provided based on the thorough study findings. The working face 17101 roof is successfully controlled by the aforesaid procedures, which provides the foundation for the management of stope surrounding rock under repeated loading.

Habitat model for wild boar (Sus scrofa) in Bukhansan National Park, Seoul

Abstract Since the first known sighting in 2004, wild boar have frequently appeared in Seoul causing increased human–wildlife conflicts. Although South Korea designated wild boar as a ‘pest’ species, limited ecological information exists concerning habitat preference and use of the largest wild mammal in the country. Based on 213 presence points, we modeled wild boar habitat preference in Bukhansan National Park, Seoul and validated the model. We analyzed boar presence with 25 raster datasets using MaxEnt, software for species distribution model using maximum entropy modeling algorithm. Slope (23.4%) was the greatest contributing factor for the habitat model, followed by Temperature seasonality (20.4%) and forest type (16.9%), while Precipitation of driest quarter (37.6%) was the most important factor (normalized contribution) of the model, followed by Temperature seasonality (18.9%) and slope (15.4%). Field verification of the model confirmed that the density of boar signs and rooting are twice as high in the area with high MaxEnt values (over 0.7). The habitat model of wild boar will assist habitat management and further our understanding of how to mitigate human–wild boar conflict.

Evaluation of the applicability of organic amendments from microbially driven carbon and nitrogen transformations

Pig manure (PM), wheat straw (WS), compost product (CP) and improved compost product (IC) are very important agricultural organic resources. In this study, their applicability as soil organic fertilizations (OFs) in terms of their properties and influence on soil properties through an incubation experiment and a field verification were evaluated. The property differences indicated that wheat straw has the highest C/N ratio, and compost products contain more aromatic compounds compared with pig manure and wheat straw. The results of incubation experiment showed that OFs promoted the carbon and nitrogen transformation driven by related microorganisms and their functional metabolisms. The PM treatment had the highest proportion of Labile organic carbon to soil organic carbon (LOC/SOC) and ratio of dissolved organic carbon to soil organic carbon (DOC/SOC), while WS treatment had the lowest values. The highest net N mineralization rate and nitrification rate was observed in the WS treatment, but the lowest amounts were under the PM treatment. Additionally, the similar findings were also obtained from the field examination. Therefore, compost products were more applicable in agricultural soil as OF insight from changes in carbon, nitrogen and microbial community. Furthermore, the result of UV-vision showed that the largest amount of aromatic structure was observed in IC relative to CP. It can be concluded that CP was more conducive to fix carbon and provide available nitrogen for crops among four OFs.

Influences of yellow and green lights on the visual response of western flower thrips and field verification

This study aimed to determine the effects of spectral light characteristics on the visual response of the western flower thrips, the strengthening mechanism of thrips response behavior regulated by light, and thrips response characteristics to contrast light. Light with combined and single wavelength were tested by using a self-made behavior response device for thrips. Light sources for trapping thrips were made to verify the trapping effect on thrips in a greenhouse, and the reasons for changes in thrips behavior were analyzed to characterize the mechanism of their phototactic response. The results showed that the light mode (single, contrast, combined light) affected the thrips visual response and approach response, whereas in contrast light, the effects were optimal. Combination light inhibited the thrips visual response, and when the illumination increased, the thrips visual response to single and combination light intensified, and the thrips approach sensitivity to green light increased in contrast and combination light. However, the light mode did not affect the thrips visual response and sensitivity to spectral light characteristics. The degree of thrips visual response to yellow light was stronger than that to green light, while the degree of thrips visual response to green light was stronger than that to yellow light, indicating that the photo-induced mechanism of the thrips visual response differed from that of the thrips approach response. Moreover, in the greenhouse, the trapping effect of different light sources on thrips was positively correlated with temperature. The trapping effect of green light was optimal, followed by a yellow light source, while the difference of light intensity (illumination, illumination energy) and its photo-thermal intensity between yellow and green light was the reason for the differences in the degree of visual trends and the trapping effects of thrips. However, the sensitivity of thrips responding to different light depended on the difference in the heterogeneous stimulation intensity of different spectral light. Thus, light brightness and photo-thermal effects were the causes of thrips visual responses, while bio-photoelectric reaction effects caused thrips to produce a visual response and affected the degree of the thrips visual response. The results reveal the underlying causes of pest control by light, and provide a theoretical basis for the research and development of pest induction equipment and light arrangements. Keywords: pest control, western flower thrips, yellow and green light, visual response, field verification, light mode DOI: 10.25165/j.ijabe.20221504.6432 Citation: Liu Q H, Zhao M Q, Miao J, Fu G C, Wu Y Q. Influences of yellow and green lights on the visual response of western flower thrips and field verification. Int J Agric & Biol Eng, 2022; 15(4): 49–56.

Quaternary groundwater aquifer suitability for drinking in Akhmim, Upper Egypt: an assessment using water quality index and GIS techniques

The Quaternary aquifer has a special significance in Akhmim district, Upper Egypt, especially during the dry seasons, when surface water resources are insufficient and limited. In Akhmim district, the population mainly depends on groundwater for drinking, especially in spontaneous residential areas and inside agricultural lands. Therefore, assessing the groundwater quality is necessary to reduce diseases resulting from using polluted water in drinking. The Weighted Arithmetic Water Quality Index (WAWQI) was used for evaluating the groundwater quality, and it was classified according to the Egyptian and WHO standards and based on fifteen measured physicochemical parameters (TDS, Na, Cl, Ca, pH, Mg, NO3, SO4, TH, Cr, Cu, Fe, Pb, Mn, and Zn). To investigate the spatial distribution of WAWQI in Akhmim district, the spatial analyst tools (IDW method) were used. The WAWQI results showed a great diversity in groundwater viability for drinking due to the exposure of groundwater to many sources of degradation, identified through field verification and previous work about the study area. The groundwater of the Quaternary aquifer was divided into excellent, good, poor, very poor, and unsuitable. In addition, about 50% of Akhmim district wells are inappropriate for drinking with classes ranging from unsuitable to poor. To use groundwater for drinking, the sources of degradation to which the groundwater is exposed must first be reduced, and the water should be treated before drinking.

Heat Treatment for Disinfecting Egg Transport Tools

HighlightsDisinfecting shell egg transport tools before their reuse is an integral biosecurity step.Avian influenza viruses are heat labile and it can be disinfected with high temperatures.Lab tests proved that egg transport flats and pallets can be heated to 54°C to 60°C in 7 to 9 h.Egg farm tests identified main factors for consideration in designing heat treatment system.Abstract.Disinfecting shell egg transport tools such as egg flats and pallets before their reuse has become an integral biosecurity step after the 2015 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) outbreaks in the United States. Lab-scale tests and field verification were conducted to investigate dynamic temperature changes and distributions inside stacks of egg pallet and flat at a surrounding air temperature of 54°C to 60°C (130ºF to 140ºF) in this study. The heat treatment tests were conducted in the lab first, and then verified in a newly built heat treatment room [12 m (L) × 4 m (W) × 3 m (H)] on a commercial laying hen farm in Iowa, the largest egg production state in the United States. Iowa lost more than 30 million hens during 2015 outbreak of HPAI. The lab tests proved that air circulation with fans could accelerate the heat exchange between air and stacks; blowing air from top and bottom at the same time plus arranging a 2.5 cm (1 in.) space between stacks could reduce the heat treatment time for the target temperature zone (i.e., 54ºC to 60ºC) from 26 to 60 h (without air circulation) to 7 to 9 h. For commercial egg farm tests, heat treatment results show that the room air and egg pallet stacks temperature reached the target zone (54ºC to 60ºC) in 30 min and 4 h after starting the heater, respectively. However, the temperature of egg flat stacks failed to reach the targeted zone after 8 h heating, because it had larger volume and heat transfer resistance as compared to egg pallet stacks. Further experiments such as extending heating period and installing mixing fans to accelerate heat exchange between the room air and the stacks are suggested for improving heat treatment system design on commercial farms. Keywords: Avian influenza, Disinfection, Egg flat and pallet, Egg production.

Tourism Potential in West Beach Coastal Area of Banten Province Based on Land Use Spatial Pattern

The west beach coastal area of Banten province is very productive. Local governments use this area for various development activities, tourism in particular. This study aims to determine the tourism potential of the west coast of Banten Province based on the spatial pattern of land use by local regulations. Thus, the development of coastal tourism can develop in an integrated and sustainable manner. The research methodology used is literature study, interviews, field verification, spatial analysis (Arc-GIS), and policy analysis based on the Banten Province Spatial Plan. Based on policy analysis related to regional spatial planning in Banten Province, there are three strategic tourism areas on the west coast, including; (a) Sumur Beach corridor, (b) Pandeglang West Coast corridor (Carita-Cigeulis), and (c) Serang West Coast Corridor (Anyer-Cinangka). The West Coast Corridor of The criteria for the physical type of beach suitable for tourism activities is wide beaches, not rocky, freshwater, and far from the highway. The west coast corridor area these criteria is the Serang West Coast Corridor (Anyer - Cinangka), precisely at Anyer Beach and Anyer Kidul Beach.

Small Field Output Factor Measurement and Verification for Cyberknife Robotic Radiotherapy and Radiosurgery System Using 3D Polymer Gel, Ionization Chamber, Diode, Diamond and Scintillator Detectors, Gafchromic Film and Monte Carlo Simulation

Small Field Output Factor Measurement and Verification for Cyberknife Robotic Radiotherapy and Radiosurgery System Using 3D Polymer Gel, Ionization Chamber, Diode, Diamond and Scintillator Detectors, Gafchromic Film and Monte Carlo Simulation

Pollination Parameter Optimization and Field Verification of Uav Base Pollination of 'Kuerle Xiangli'

Pollination Parameter Optimization and Field Verification of Uav Base Pollination of 'Kuerle Xiangli'

Development and field verification experiment of UAV that can automatically observe underwater condition data by XCTD/XBT

Development and field verification experiment of UAV that can automatically observe underwater condition data by XCTD/XBT

Optimization of mechanized soil covering path based on the agronomic mode of full-film double-ditch with double-width filming

In order to further improve the working performance and efficiency of mechanized tillage operation of a full-film double-ditch seedbed, under the working conditions of different parameters of the spiral push-type soil covering device with double-width filming, the dynamic soil covering characteristics and soil covering uniformity of the device were analyzed, the collaborative and interactive coupling mechanism of the horizontal pushing process of the mulching soil and horizontally two-way spiral soil transmission device were revealed, and the main reasons for the influence of different soil covering belts on the change of soil particle number distribution were analyzed. Based on the full-film double-ditch mode with double-width filming, the mechanized soil covering path was optimized. In order to further reduce the disturbance on mulching soil by two-way spiral pushing, a kind of parallel shunt type soil covering device with double-width filming was designed, then a discrete element method was adopted to make simulation analysis and optimize the parallel shunt type soil covering device with double-width filming. Field verification tests showed that after the operation of the full-film double-ditch combined machine with double-width filming and soil covering installed with the parallel shunt type soil covering device, the qualified rate of the film edge soil covering width was 96.1%, an increase of 1.6% compared to that before optimization; the qualified rate of soil covering width at the center of the big ridge was 93.5%, an increase of 1.9% compared to that before optimization; the qualified rate of the soil covering thickness was 97.7%, an increase of 0.2% compared to that before optimization. The test indicators reached the requirements of relevant national and industrial standards, showing that the test results met the design requirements, and the working conditions of verification tests were consistent with the simulation results. Keywords: full-film double-ditch, double-width filming, soil covering, soil covering path optimization, soil covering device DOI: 10.25165/j.ijabe.20221501.6853 Citation: Dai F, Guo W J, Song X F, Zhang Y, Shi R J, Wang F, Zhao W Y. Optimization of mechanized soil covering path based on the agronomic mode of full-film double-ditch with double-width filming. Int J Agric & Biol Eng, 2022; 15(1): 139–146.

Determination of Soil Characteristics and Degradation Using Geospatial Technologies in the Al Ahsa Oasis

Soil degradation associated with wind and water erosion and physical and chemical deterioration is increasing at an alarming rate worldwide. This research identified soil characteristics and spatial distribution of soil degradation risks in the Al Ahsa Oasis. Several quantitative analytical approaches used geospatial techniques, namely, ArcGIS, Erdas Imagine10, and ENVI 5.3. Six selected remote sensing indices were used, i.e. the salinity index (SI), normalised difference salinity index (NDSI), brightness index (BI), normalised differential vegetation index (NDVI), vegetation soil salinity index (VSSI), and soil adjusted vegetation index (SAVI) software. Field verification monitored the degradation of different types of soil. Samples were collected in May 2019 and processed using satellite images and mechanical and chemical laboratory analysis for 36 samples. The Universal Soil Loss Equation and climatic data were used to measure the annual soil loss rate in the Al Ahsa Oasis. Integration of these datasets resulted in a map of soil degradation values. The results show that the sampled oasis soils have degraded physically, chemically, and biologically. The average physical degradation was 9.93 g/cm3/year, the average biological degradation was 2.93%/year, and the average chemical degradation was 36.36 mmhos/cm.

DESIGN AND EXPERIMENT OF A CLAMP-HOLDING PRECISION MAIZE-SEED-METERING DEVICE

To solve the current problems of poor seeding stability and complex maintenance of maize seed-metering devices, a clamp-holding precision maize-seed-metering device is designed. The structure and working principle of the seed-metering device are described, the optimum state of maize seed clamping is analyzed, and the range of each working area of the seed-metering device is determined. The profile and structural parameters of the limit guide plate are designed by analyzing the laws of motion of the seed-picking block. A mechanical model of maize seeds under the critical state in each working area of the seed-metering device is established. The influence of the seed-metering device's rotational speed and the clamping force of the seed-picking block on the seeding performance are analyzed. A physical prototype of the seed-metering device was made for bench tests and field verification tests. The qualified, multiple seeding, and missed seeding rates of the designed seed-metering device were 94.21%, 3.52%, and 2.27%, respectively, meeting the agronomic requirements of maize sowing. The study provides theoretical guidance for designing and optimizing precision maize-seed-metering devices.

Field Verification of Soil Erosion Models in a Small Catchment for Different Time Windows with Changing Cropland Boundary (Tula Region, Russia)

Field Verification of Soil Erosion Models in a Small Catchment for Different Time Windows with Changing Cropland Boundary (Tula Region, Russia)

Using Remote Sensing and Machine Learning to Locate Groundwater Discharge to Salmon-Bearing Streams

We hypothesized topographic features alone could be used to locate groundwater discharge, but only where diagnostic topographic signatures could first be identified through the use of limited field observations and geologic data. We built a geodatabase from geologic and topographic data, with the geologic data only covering ~40% of the study area and topographic data derived from airborne LiDAR covering the entire study area. We identified two types of groundwater discharge: shallow hillslope groundwater discharge, commonly manifested as diffuse seeps, and aquifer-outcrop groundwater discharge, commonly manifested as springs. We developed multistep manual procedures that allowed us to accurately predict the locations of both types of groundwater discharge in 93% of cases, though only where geologic data were available. However, field verification suggested that both types of groundwater discharge could be identified by specific combinations of topographic variables alone. We then applied maximum entropy modeling, a machine learning technique, to predict the prevalence of both types of groundwater discharge using six topographic variables: profile curvature range, with a permutation importance of 43.2%, followed by distance to flowlines, elevation, topographic roughness index, flow-weighted slope, and planform curvature, with permutation importance of 20.8%, 18.5%, 15.2%, 1.8%, and 0.5%, respectively. The AUC values for the model were 0.95 for training data and 0.91 for testing data, indicating outstanding model performance.