Corn Harvest Research Articles

Research on Traversal Path Planning and Collaborative Scheduling for Corn Harvesting and Transportation in Hilly Areas Based on Dijkstra’s Algorithm and Improved Harris Hawk Optimization

This study addresses the challenges of long traversal paths, low efficiency, high fuel consumption, and costs in the collaborative harvesting of corn by harvesters and grain transport vehicles in hilly areas. A path-planning and collaborative scheduling method is proposed, combining Dijkstra’s algorithm with the Improved Harris Hawk Optimization (IHHO) algorithm. A field model based on Digital Elevation Model (DEM) data is created for full coverage path planning, reducing traversal path length. A field transfer road network is established, and Dijkstra’s algorithm is used to calculate distances between fields. A multi-objective collaborative scheduling model is then developed to minimize fuel consumption, scheduling costs, and time. The IHHO algorithm enhances search performance by introducing quantum initialization to improve the initial population, integrating the slime mold algorithm for better exploration, and applying an average differential mutation strategy and nonlinear energy factor updates to strengthen both global and local search. Non-dominated sorting and crowding distance techniques are incorporated to enhance solution diversity and quality. The results show that compared to traditional HHO and HHO algorithms, the IHHO algorithm reduces average scheduling costs by 4.2% and 14.5%, scheduling time by 4.5% and 8.1%, and fuel consumption by 3.5% and 3.2%, respectively. This approach effectively reduces transfer path costs, saves energy, and improves operational efficiency, providing valuable insights for path planning and collaborative scheduling in multi-field harvesting and transportation in hilly areas.

Utilization of TiN and the Texture of Bionic Pangolin Scales to Improve the Wear Resistance of Cast Steel 20Mn Metal.

This research centers around cast steel 20Mn, which is the material utilized for the ear-picking roller of a corn harvester. The study delves into methods of enhancing its hydrophobicity and wear resistance. Fiber laser-processing technology was employed to fabricate pangolin bionic micro-textures on the material surface, and PVD technology was utilized to deposit a TiN coating. The wear resistance of the modified surface was investigated via the reciprocating dry sliding wear method, while its hydrophobicity was concurrently examined. The results demonstrate that the laser texturing technology and TiN coating managed to reduce the friction coefficient of the sample surface by 20% and 30.9%, respectively. This can be chiefly attributed to the significant effects of the modified surface in augmenting hardness, diminishing the contact area of the friction surface, lowering shear stress, and entrapping wear debris. When the pangolin texture and TiN coating work in concert, the abrasive and fatigue wear between the two surfaces is conspicuously mitigated, and the friction coefficient is reduced by 38.09%. Moreover, the experiment also reveals that a superhydrophobic surface can be achieved by fabricating the pangolin micro-textures.

Performance and legacy effect of crop rotations on eastern Canadian dairy farms

AbstractCrop rotations on dairy farms in eastern Canada nowadays include fewer perennial crops and more nitrogen‐demanding annual crops. This study compared, over a 7‐year rotation cycle, the agronomic performance and the legacy effect of six crop rotations that varied in crop types (perennial or annual) and nutrient sources (mineral or organic). Crop yield and nutritive value were determined on a yearly basis and cumulated over the rotation cycle. The legacy effect was assessed by growing forage corn (Zea mays L.) in year 6 and soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] in year 7 in all rotations. The legacy effect of perennial forage crops manifested with a 78% lower weed biomass at harvest of forage corn in year 6 and a 14% greater soybean yield in year 7. A greater soil‐derived corn nitrogen uptake in year 6 after repeated slurry applications indicated a modest legacy effect of organic fertilization on soil N supply capacity. The presence of perennial forage crops or the use of organic fertilization did not affect cumulative dry matter or crude protein production over the 7‐year rotation cycle. The addition of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) in mixture with perennial grasses improved forage yield (+26%) and nutritive value (greater digestible energy and crude protein concentration) in post‐seeding years. In perennial‐based rotations, adding alfalfa to grasses resulted in greater dry matter (+22%) and crude protein (+46%) productions over the 7‐year cycle despite a fourfold reduction in N fertilizer input, attesting to the high N use efficiency of perennial legume‐based cropping systems.

FARMING BUSINESS AND INCOME CONTRIBUTION ANALYSIS OF CORN FARMERS IN KEMBARAN DISTRICT, BANYUMAS REGENCY

In addition to rice, corn is an alternative food. In fact, corn makes a considerable contribution to economic progress. Banyumas Regency is one of Central Java's largest maize planting locations. Farmers that cultivate corn have never recorded their money, therefore they are unsure whether the corn farming business they run generates a fair revenue or profit. Farmers also have other occupations to support their families, thus the contribution of corn growing as the primary source of income should be considered. The purpose of this study is to examine the farming operations and income contributions of corn farmers in Kembaran District, Banyumas Regency. The study was conducted in Kembaran District. The sample size for this study was 30 corn producers. The data was analyzed using the farming business and income contribution method. The survey found that corn farmers in Kembaran District earn IDR 29,600,000 per hectare. Farmers' income from maize production is valued at 5,920 kilos per hectare, with a selling price of Rp 5000 per kilogram. Meanwhile, farmers' overall cost of producing corn harvests has reached Rp 9,498,365. Thus, farmers' income from corn farming per hectare amounts to Rp 20,101,635. In an effort to meet the needs of farmers also do other side jobs such as trading, becoming laborers, becoming craftsmen and several other side jobs. The contribution of corn farming income reaches 67.73 percent Keywords: Corn, Farmers, Farming, Income Contribution.

Effect of Corn Stover Ensiling on Methane Production and Carbon Dioxide Emissions

The biogas and biomethane sectors are crucial for the European Union’s energy transition. One strategy for achieving the EU’s biogas and biomethane targets while reducing the use of agricultural land for energy feedstock production is to use alternative biomass streams. Such a stream includes agricultural residues and by-products. A good example is crop residues after harvesting corn for grain, which are available in large quantities. Due to the fact that they are lignocellulosic biomasses, they require pretreatment. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of ensiling enhancers on the methane yield of corn stover silages. Corn stover, which was harvested using the same technology, was ensiled in the first variant with an ensiling enhancer preparation based on bacteria of the Lactobacillus plantarum strain (DSM 3676 and DSM 3677) and two strains of propionic acid bacteria (DSM 9676 and DSM 9677), in the second variant with a formulation whose active ingredients were sodium benzoate, propionic acid, and sodium propionite, and in the third with a formulation based on lactic acid bacteria of the strain Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus Buchneri. The fourth variant was the control; that is, the material was ensiled naturally without the ensiling enhancer preparation. The use of the ensiling enhancer, based on lactic acid bacteria of the Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus Buchneri strains, reduced carbon dioxide emissions per 1 GJ of silage energy potential in the biogas production process. Specifically, the unique contribution of this research lies in demonstrating the role of ensiling enhancers in improving methane yield and reducing carbon dioxide emissions.

ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF ANNUAL CROPS SUBJECT TO BIOAGRICULTURAL MANAGEMENT

The growing need for food worldwide causes changes in supply, which is not always concerned with the quality in which this food is being offered to consumers. That said, the concern with producing quality food, aiming at the maximum organic bases and available inputs, combined with the ability to produce one's own bioinputs on the farm, reduces dependence on external inputs, and greater control of production costs within the properties demonstrates a total internal interdependence for the production of food or raw materials. The research aims to evaluate the economic sustainability in the cultivation systems of the most important annual crops in the country; Soybeans, Corn, Wheat and Beans in the use of bioinputs on the farm to obtain a reduction in production costs. Research conducted in the municipality of Chapecó - SC during the 2021/2022 and 2022/2023 harvests. The research design is a factorial (3x6), factor A crop management, factor B different doses of basalt powder for the crops of Corn Harvest, Beans Off-season, Wheat Harvest and Soybean Harvest. Qualitative research on product/dose/target values. Economic results differed between production costing, attractive on a scale in R$/ha-¹ in biological management (A) and Bioagricultural (C) in the crops of corn, beans and soybeans. As well as the break-even point, the economic and financial results of the four crops evaluated were equivalent and positive in biological management (A). Expressively positive analysis in the economic indicators of profitability, between the different cultivable managements and doses of basalt powder.

Research on Automatic Alignment for Corn Harvesting Based on Euclidean Clustering and K-Means Clustering

Aiming to meet the growing need for automated harvesting, an automatic alignment method based on Euclidean clustering and K-means clustering is proposed to address issues of driver fatigue and inaccurate driving in manually operated corn harvesters. Initially, the corn field environment is scanned using LiDAR to obtain point cloud data, which are then subjected to pass-through filtering and statistical filtering to remove noise and non-corn contour points. Subsequently, Euclidean clustering and K-means clustering methods are applied to the filtered point cloud data. To validate the impact of Euclidean clustering on subsequent clustering, two separate treatments of the obtained point cloud data were conducted during experimental validation: the first used the K-means clustering algorithm directly, while the second involved performing Euclidean clustering followed by K-means clustering. The results demonstrate that the combined method of Euclidean clustering and K-means clustering achieved a success rate of 81.5%, representing a 26.5% improvement over traditional K-means clustering. Additionally, the Rand index increased by 0.575, while accuracy improved by 57% and recall increased by 61%.

Modeling and Parameter Selection of the Corn Straw–Soil Composite Model Based on the DEM

During corn harvesting operations, machine–straw–soil contact often occurs, but there is a lack of research related to the role of straw–soil contact. Therefore, in this study, a composite contact model of corn straw‒soil particles was established based on the discrete element method (DEM). First, the discrete element Hertz‒Mindlin method with bonding particle contact was used to establish a numerical model of the double-bonded bimodal distribution of corn straw, and bonding particle models of the outer skin‒outer skin, inner pulp‒inner pulp, and outer skin‒inner pulp were developed. The nonhomogeneous and deformable material properties were accurately expressed. The straw compression test combined with simulation calibration was used to determine some of the bonding contact parameters by means of the PB (Plackett–Burman) test, the steepest ascent test, and the BB (Box–Behnken) test. Additionally, Additionally, the Hertz-Mindlin with JKR (Johnson-Kendall-Roberts) + bonding key model was used to establish the numerical model of the soil particles, which was used to describe the irregularity and adhesion properties of the soil particles. The geometric model of the soil particles was established using the multisphere filling method. Finally, a composite contact model of corn straw‒soil particles was established, the contact parameters between straw and soil were calibrated via collision tests, inclined tests and inclined rolling tests, and the established composite contact model was further verified through direct shear tests between straw and soil. A theoretical foundation for the optimal design of equipment linked to maize harvesting is provided by this work.

A general image classification model for agricultural machinery trajectory mode recognition

Field-road trajectory classification is a crucial task for agricultural machinery behavior mode recognition, aiming to distinguish field operation mode and road driving mode automatically. However, the imbalanced distribution of agricultural machine trajectories brings challenges for the field-road trajectory classification task. Additionally, most existing field-road trajectory classification methods have certain shortcomings. For instance, they encounter difficulties in accurately representing the state of agricultural machinery movement using the current features. The data transformation process often leads to information loss, and the model’s generalization capabilities are limited. The performance of the models is constrained by each of these elements. To address these shortcomings, this paper introduces a general image classification model for agricultural machinery trajectory mode recognition named ATRNet. First, to address the issue of imbalanced field-road proportions in agricultural machinery trajectory data, a Conditional Tabular Generative Adversarial Network (CTGAN) is employed to generate quasi trajectories, balancing the distribution of positive and negative samples in the data. This step aims to eliminate biases during the model training process. Second, to accurately characterize the motion status of agricultural machinery, we propose a multiangle feature enhancement method to extract rich spatiotemporal features from trajectory data. Finally, different from conventional field-road trajectory classification models that primarily rely on spatial and temporal information for identifying trajectories, we present a lossless trajectory data representation paradigm. This paradigm maps each trajectory point into a “feature map” and uses an image classification model to capture latent feature representations of trajectory points for the recognition of different behavior modes of agricultural machinery. This paradigm can generalize image classification networks to the field-road trajectory classification task, providing a general vision model solution for agricultural machinery trajectory mode recognition. To validate the effectiveness of the ATRNet model, experiments were conducted on real corn and wheat harvester trajectory datasets. The results demonstrate that the proposed model achieves remarkable performance improvements over the state-of-the-art (SOTA) models. In the corn harvester trajectory dataset, ATRNet achieves an accuracy of 92.36% and an F1-score of 92.34%, surpassing existing SOTA models by 3.12% and 12.46%, respectively. Similarly, in the wheat harvester trajectory dataset, ATRNet achieves an accuracy of 92.36% and an F1-score of 92.33%, outperforming the existing optimal algorithm by 4.76% and 18.18%, respectively.

PELATIHAN PEMANFAATAN LIMBAH PERTANIAN SEBAGAI PUPUK ORGANIK DI KELURAHAN KALAMPANGAN KECAMATAN SEBANGAU KOTA PALANGKA RAYA

Kalampangan Village is known as a transmigration area that has advanced in the agricultural sector, especially vegetable crops and is the largest supplier of vegetables in Palangka Raya City. One effort to increase peat soil fertility is through fertilization. So far, fertilization has mostly used inorganic fertilizers. Excessive inorganic fertilizer can disrupt soil health, besides being expensive and sometimes rare on the market. Farmers now cannot clear land by burning it, so that the resulting weeds pile up around the land. At harvest time, a lot of harvest waste is not utilized optimally. So far, it has only been buried in the ground fresh as green manure and animal feed. One effort to overcome the problem of accumulated weeds and crop residue is to make organic fertilizer (compost). Compost contains nutrients that plants need and is able to repair soil structure damaged by too much inorganic fertilizer. The objectives of the activity are: 1) Utilizing agricultural waste as organic fertilizer; 2). Providing skills in making quality organic fertilizer. The method used is counseling and training in making organic fertilizer. The extension and training activities were attended by 10 members of the farmer group. Training on making compost was carried out using broadleaf weeds and sweet corn harvest waste. Composting is carried out for 3 weeks to 1 month. The characteristics of compost that is ready to use are blackish brown color, crumb structure, coolness and compost aroma. The compost produced is of sufficient quality with the nutrient content N, P and K meeting organic fertilizer quality standards. Farmers are very enthusiastic about making compost and hope that later it can be applied in growing vegetables in Kalampangan Village.

Excellent Canopy Structure in Soybeans Can Improve Their Photosynthetic Performance and Increase Yield

In the maize-soybean intercropping system, varying degrees of maize leaf shading are an important factor that reduces the uniformity of light penetration within the soybean canopy, altering the soybean canopy structure. Quantitative analysis of the relationship between the soybean canopy structure and canopy photosynthesis helps with breeding shade-tolerant soybean varieties for intercropping systems. This study examined the canopy structure and photosynthesis of intercropped soybeans during the shading stress period (28 days before the corn harvest), the high light adaptation period (15 days after the corn harvest), and the recovery period (35 and 55 days after the corn harvest), using a field high-throughput phenotyping platform and a plant gas exchange testing system (CAPTS). Additionally, indoor shading experiments were conducted for validation. The results indicate that shade-tolerant soybean varieties (STV varieties) have significantly higher yields than shade-sensitive soybean varieties (SSV varieties). This is attributable to the STV varieties having a larger top area, lateral width, and lateral external rectangular area. Compared to the SSV varieties, the four top areas of the STV varieties are, on average, 52.09%, 72.05%, and 61.37% higher during the shading stress, high light adaptation, and recovery periods, respectively. Furthermore, the average maximum growth rates (GRs) for the side mean width (SMW) and side rectangle area (SRA) of the STV varieties are 62.92% and 22.13% in the field, and 83.36% and 55.53% in the indoor environment, respectively. This results in a lower canopy overlap in STV varieties, leading to a more uniform light distribution within the canopy, which is reflected in higher photosynthetic rates (Pn), apparent quantum efficiency, and whole-leaf photosynthetic potential (WLPP) for the STV varieties, thereby enhancing their adaptability to shading stress. Above-ground dry matter accumulation was higher in STV varieties, with more assimilates stored in the source and sink, promoting assimilate accumulation in the grains. These results provide new insights into how the superior canopy structure and photosynthesis of shade-tolerant soybean varieties contribute to increased yield.

Delimitation of Differentiated Management Units (DMUs) based on productivity maps, slope maps and vegetation indices

According to several projections, the planet's demographic density will continue to increase in the coming decades, a fact that makes it necessary to increase food production to meet population demand. However, there are factors that can make it difficult to achieve production goals, such as the high cost of inputs. Therefore, aiming to increase productivity and reduce costs through optimizing the use of resources and the area available for production, it is necessary to implement alternatives to traditional production control methods. In this aspect, precision agriculture stands out. For precision agriculture to be applied to crops, it is first necessary to observe the spatial and temporal variability of the area, through georeferenced data on the attributes that involve the production system. The correlation of these attributes can indicate sub-regions within the production areas that can receive homogeneous treatment; these fractions of the area can also be called Differentiated Management Units (DMUs). Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the viability of DMU delimitations using data on productivity, slope and vegetation indices, referring to the 2020 harvest for corn cultivation. To this end, geoprocessing of the data obtained using the QGIS software was carried out, so that 3 DMUs were generated for the area evaluated in the study. Thus, the DMUs were compared with the 2021 corn harvest. The results show that the DMUs, produced with data from the 2020 corn harvest, delimited regions with different productivity data in the 2021 harvest, indicating that the possibility of obtaining better parameters in production if differentiated management were carried out in the field, and such planning can be carried out based on the assessments that DMUs allow to be carried out.

Tillage and cover cropping influence phosphorus dynamics in soil and water pools

AbstractWinter cover crops (CCs) have the potential to reduce phosphorus (P) loss by temporarily fixing P into CC biomass. A field experiment with no‐tillage (NT) and conventional tillage (CT) was used to study the ability of different CC species planted after corn (Zea mays L.) and soybean (Glycine max L.) harvests to reduce the P availability in soil solution. The effect of three crop rotations (corn–no CC–soybean–no CC [C–S], corn–cereal rye (Secale cereale)–soybean–hairy vetch (Vicia villosa) [C–R–S–HV], corn–cereal rye–soybean–oats (Avena sativa)+ radish (Raphanus sativus L.) [C–R–S–OR]) and two tillage (NT and CT) treatments was determined on soil available P and soil solution P content through pan (A horizon) and tension (100‐cm depth) cup lysimeters. The experiment was set up as a randomized complete block design with tillage as a split factor with three replicates. Over the study period, incorporating hairy vetch in C–R–S–HV rotation reduced the Mehlich‐3 P content in soil by 26%–29% compared to the C–S and C–R–S–OR rotation. Both CC rotations (C–R–S–HV and C–R–S–OR) were effective in reducing dissolved reactive P (DRP) concentration in pan and tension cup lysimeters compared to the C–S in both CT and NT systems. However, these results varied with CC species grown and seasonal variability in precipitation. A significantly lower DRP load with crop rotation and tillage treatments was observed mainly during the CC growing season. During the study period, crop rotations with reduced labile soil P content and DRP loss were ranked in an order of C–R–S–HV > C–R–S–OR > C–S. Overall, this study showed that CCs have the potential in both CT and NT systems to significantly reduce P in soil and soil solution, and these effects are resilient to a wide range of precipitation conditions.

Soil chemical and physical attributes in an area with single maize and intercropped with Panicum maximum

In the Cerrado Biom, a commonly used intercropping is between corn species and Urochloa, however, there are alternative grasses able to improve the corn intercropping, such as those of genus Panicum. Studies show that diversified crop rotation improves the efficiency of the agricultural system. Thus, it was aimed to evaluate the effect of the corn (Zea mays) and Zuri grass (Panicum maximum BRS Zuri) grown in the monoculture or intercropped under conditions with and without soil scarification in chemical and physical soil attributes. For this, an area under Red Oxisoil was used, in which part was scarified up to 30 cm deep and the other was not. In February 2020, corn and Zuri grass were planted in cultivar sole system or intercropped between the two species in compacted and scarified area, creating six evaluation areas. After the crop cycle, with corn harvest and Zuri grass crushing, soil sampling was carried out for evaluations at five points in each area. Corn in monoculture had lower soil moisture and greater resistance to penetration. And the soil without scarification had a higher C stock. The results showed that the Zuri grass using after soil revolving can be applied as a management strategy, looking to dry mass accumulation, bigger carbon stock and soil porosity, improving soil conditions for the summer crop. Besides that, the intercropped used improves the chemical soil conditions.

Navigating discreetly: Spatial ecology of urban wild boar in Bordeaux City's landscape of fear, France

An exemplary urban adapter, the wild boar (Sus scrofa) has successfully colonized urban ecological niches worldwide. Improvement of strategies for optimal management of urban wild boar need to gather more empirical evidence of their spatial ecology. This study is based on GPS tracking and capture-mark-recapture (CMR) of 10 and 59 wild boar, respectively, captured in Bordeaux Metropolis (France). It shows that wild boar have become urban dwellers, with intra-urban home ranges varying from 1.3 to 64.6 km2 (MCP 100 %) and from 0.5 to 9.6 km2 (KDE 95 %), depending on urban conditions. CMR results confirm the low propensity to move away from urban areas (with a mean distance of 2 km between capture and recapture sites), despite a relatively low one-year survival rate since capture (47.5 %), primarily attributable to removal efforts. Wild boar strongly depended on urban woods, mostly during daytime resting, and highly frequented urban meadows during night foraging. Their use of urban agricultural areas was minimal, but they were mostly monitored following corn and grape harvests. Wild boar mitigated the risk associated with close proximity to humans by: a nocturnal activity (72.2 % of active locations registered from sunset to sunrise), which could also be partially attributed to their sensitivity to heat; a strong use of covered habitats, especially during daytime resting and when close to buildings and roads; and a low mobility during night-time foraging (1974 m average daily distance travelled). Moreover, we demonstrate high inter- and intra-individual variability in the spatio-temporal behaviour of urban wild boar. Finally, we discuss the gap between these results and the narratives surrounding the spatial ecology of urban wild boar. Our results not only confirm the species' ability to adapt to urban environments, but also highlight their behavioural flexibility, underscoring the relevance of significant changes in representations and management activities to mitigate human-urban wild boar conflicts.

397 Effect of corn harvest with a chopping head on performance of cattle grazing corn residue

Abstract The addition of stalk chopping equipment on combine heads has become more common. An advantage of grazing residue compared with baling, is the ability of cattle to select the more digestible plant parts (husk and leaf). Chopping may impact this ability and decrease the feeding value. Thus, this study was designed to evaluate the effects of chopping residue at harvest on grazing cattle performance. A cornfield (16 Mg grain/ha) was divided into 12 paddocks blocked by location within field and assigned randomly to be harvested using a chopping or non-chopping combine head, with 4 paddocks assigned to be grazed (1.05 ha) from each harvest method (HM) and 4 ungrazed. Growing steers [n = 40; body weight (BW) = 230 ± 3.5 kg] were stratified by BW and assigned randomly to a grazed paddock, with 6 steers in the west block and 4 steers in the east block, with 1 rumen canulated steer (484 ± 33 kg BW) being assigned to each of the east paddocks and used as diet samplers. This resulted in the same grazing pressure (2.9 animal units/ha) in grazed paddocks. Cattle were supplemented at 0.6 % of initial BW with a distillers dried grains plus solubles and mineral mix daily. Cattle grazed for 56 d resulting in 5.4 Animal Units Months/ha. Residue mass of three 0.58 m2 frames was sampled in each paddock before (d -1), during (d 36) and after grazing. Husks were collected from three 5.81 m2 areas per paddock at each of the three timepoints. For residue mass, there was a significant (P < 0.01) HM by time interaction. There was no difference (P = 0.34) in residue mass between HM prior to grazing. However, at 36 d into grazing, residue mass of standard was greater (P = 0.03) than chopped, and post-grazing residue mass of chopped was greater (P = 0.01) than standard. When husk (kg/ha) was evaluated, there was a significant (P < 0.01) HM by time by grazing interaction. Prior to grazing, there was no difference (P ≥ 0.66) in husk between the grazed and ungrazed paddocks within HM. However, husk was less (P < 0.01) for chopped than standard. On d 36, within HM, grazed had less (P < 0.01) husk than the ungrazed. However, within grazing status on d 36 there was no effect (P ≥ 0.52) of HM. Post-grazing there were no differences (P ≥ 0.19) in husk among treatments. Within grazed treatments there was greater (P < 0.01) husk prior to grazing initiation compared with both D36 and post-grazing which did not differ (P ≤ 0.85). Within ungrazed treatments, pre-grazing and D36 did not differ (P ≥ 0.10) in husk, however, husk was lesser (P > 0.01) at the post-grazing sampling. For ADG there was no difference (P = 0.20) between HM, with 0.37 and 0.31kg/d for standard and chopped, respectively. Overall, HM had no effect on grazing cattle performance.

Flood sediments as a source of replenishment of alluvial soils with plant nutrition elements

Flood sedimentation in conditions of regular floodplain flooding is a key factor in the formation of alluvial soil. The nature of the passage of hollow waters and their composition affect the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of flood sediments, while having a significant impact on the agroecological state of the floodplain agricultural landscape. The aim of the research was to study the role of flood sediments in enriching the underlying alluvial soil with nutrients. The experiment was conducted on reclaimed arable lands of the Ryazan region in 2023. Determination of the sediment load level and sampling on the surface were carried out using plastic sedimentation samplers fixed on the soil surface, located at a distance of 200 m from each other. The installation was carried out on March 23, the duration of sediment collection was 42 days before the descent of the hollow waters. The average sediment load level of 15.4 t/ha was established, the agrochemical properties of flood sediments and underlying soil were studied, the structure of organic matter, macro– and microelements with flood sediments and their removal from the corn harvest to silage was analyzed. Together with sediments the soil received (kg/ha): total nitrogen – 107.80, total phosphorus – 43.10, total potassium – 104.70, organic matter – 2464,0, mobile phosphorus 15.20, exchangeable potassium 17.80; trace elements (g/ha): boron – 11.86, molybdenum – 1.54, zinc – 122.74, manganese – 1215.06, copper – 200.20, cobalt – 52.05. With a corn harvest for silage of 36.1 kg/ha, the takeaway was: N – 105 kg/ha, P2O5 – 33 kg/ha, K2O – 105 kg/ha. The conducted studies indicate the undoubted agronomic value of flood sediments, they can partially meet the need for fertilizers, therefore, it is necessary to take into account the mass of the substances used to carry out appropriate adjustments to the fertilizer application system. In 2023, the mass of incoming substances with flood sediments completely covered the need for nitrogen; for mobile phosphorus the need decreased to 17.8 kg/ha, for exchangeable potassium the need decreased to 87.2 kg/ha.

Nano Urea Fertilization in Sweet Corn Using Leaf Colour Chart and Its Effect on Nitrogen Use Efficiency

Broad based blanket recommendations of fertilizer nitrogen (N) in field may end up with lower N use efficiency because of large field-to field variability of soil N. At the identical time, crop should not suffer from the deficiency of N. Nitrogen fertilizer must be applied only when necessary and must be based on the crop’s nitrogen status. So, keeping in view the significance of N on productivity, a field experiment was conducted during summer seasons of 2022 and 2023 on medium black calcareous soil at Junagadh (Gujarat) to study nano urea fertilization in sweet corn using leaf colour chart (LCC) and its effect on nitrogen use efficiency. Ten treatments comprising 40 kg N as basal (through DAP and urea) + 40 kg N through urea at 25-30 DAS (days after sowing) + 40 kg N through urea at 40-45 DAS (T1), 40 kg N as basal + 40 kg N through urea at 25-30 DAS + two foliar spray of nano urea 0.4% (4 ml/l water) when LCC ≤ 4 (T2), 40 kg N as basal + 30 kg N through urea at 25-30 DAS + three foliar spray of nano urea 0.4% when LCC ≤ 4 (T3), 40 kg N as basal + 20 kg N through urea at 25-30 DAS + four foliar spray of nano urea 0.4% when LCC ≤ 4 (T4), 40 kg N as basal + 20 kg N through urea at 25-30 DAS + three foliar spray of nano urea 0.4% when LCC ≤ 4 (T5), 40 kg N as basal + 10 kg N through urea at 25-30 DAS + four foliar spray of nano urea 0.4% when LCC ≤ 4 (T6), 40 kg N as basal + 10 kg N through urea at 25-30 DAS + three foliar spray of nano urea 0.4% when LCC ≤ 4 (T7), 40 kg N as basal + four foliar spray of nano urea 0.4% when LCC ≤ 4 (T8), 40 kg N as basal + three foliar spray of nano urea 0.4% when LCC ≤ 4 (T9) and control (without N application) (T10) in Randomized Block Design with three replications. Recommended dose of 60 kg P2O5 and 60 kg K2O/ha were applied uniformly to all the plots as basal application. The experimental results revealed that 40 kg N as basal + 40 kg N through urea at 25-30 DAS + two foliar spray of nano urea 0.4% when LCC ≤ 4 recorded significantly the highest nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium uptake by cob and fodder and their total uptake by sweet corn, which remained at par with T3 and T1. Significantly maximum available nitrogen in soil after harvest of sweet corn was noted with T1, which remained at par with T2, T3 and T4. It can be concluded that nano urea fertilization in sweet corn using leaf colour chart ultimately resulted in improved nitrogen use efficiency, which also sustained the fertility of medium black calcareous soil.

From Field to Pharmacy: Isolation, Characterization and Tableting Behaviour of Microcrystalline Cellulose from Wheat and Corn Harvest Residues.

A lack of strategies for the utilization of harvest residues (HRs) has led to serious environmental problems due to an accumulation of these residues or their burning in the field. In this study, wheat and corn HRs were used as feedstock for the production of microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) by treatment with 2-8% sodium hydroxide, 10% hydrogen peroxide and further hydrolysis with 1-2 M hydrochloric acid. The changes in the FT-IR spectra and PXRD diffractograms after chemical treatment confirmed the removal of most of the lignin, hemicellulose and amorphous fraction of cellulose. A higher degree of crystallinity was observed for MCC obtained from corn HRs, which was attributed to a more efficient removal of lignin and hemicellulose by a higher sodium hydroxide concentration, which facilitates the dissolution of amorphous cellulose during acid hydrolysis. MCC obtained from HRs exhibited lower bulk density and poorer flow properties but similar or better tableting properties compared to commercial MCC (CeolusTM PH101). The lower ejection and detachment stress suggests that MCC isolated from HRs requires less lubricant compared to commercial MCC. This study showed that MCC isolated from wheat and corn HRs exhibits comparable tableting behaviour like commercial sample, further supporting this type of agricultural waste utilization.

Effects of autumn tillage with straw return on soil physical characteristics of corn fields in the eastern loess plateau

The implementation of unsuitable tillage practices has the potential to disrupt the structure integrity of the ploughed layer, as well as to influence the physical parameters of the soil. The application of a reasonable tillage method has been demonstrated to result in an improvement in the physical quality of the soil. Three autumn tillage practices have been implemented at the Dongyang Experimental Station of Shanxi Agricultural University since 2016: no-tillage with straw mulch (NTS), autumn rotary tillage with straw incorporation (RTS), and autumn plough tillage with straw incorporation (PTS). The impact of autumn tillage practices on soil physical quality in the 0–30 cm profile of spring corn fields was evaluated following the corn harvest in 2018 and 2019. The results showed that compared to the NTS treatment, the application of RTS was found to have decreased significantly by 9.6%–24.2% in soil bulk density, while it increased significantly by 12.8%–34.0% in total porosity and by 43.5%–146.4% in macroporosity at a depth of 5–10 cm. In comparison to the NTS treatment, the adoption of PTS was found to decrease significantly by 10.7%–30.5% soil bulk density, while it increased significantly by 9.9%–42.7% the total porosity and 23.1%–202.8% the macroporosity at a depth of 0–10 cm. Furthermore, the soil microporosity significantly increase of 7.5%–11.1% under the RTS treatment at the 0–5 cm soil depth and 7.7%–11.2% under the PTS treatment at the 10–20 cm soil depth. Soil physical quality index (SQI) significantly increase under the RTS and PTS treatments, with a 41.26% and 57.57% improvement, respectively, in comparison to the NTS treatment. In summary, the adoption of autumn tillage with straw return (RTS and PTS) demonstrated a reduction in soil bulk density, an increase in soil porosity, macroporosity, and a promotion of capillary porosity, and promoted the improvement of soil physical quality on the Eastern Loess Plateau when compared to no-tillage with straw mulch (NTS).