Harvesting Process Research Articles

The Application of Wheat Farmers to Modern Agriculture Technology Related to Improve Crop Production in Thi-Qar

The research aim is to determine the level of application farmers of Modern Agricultural Technology have in improving wheat crop production in Thi-Qar Province. A multistage sample probability proportionates of size (P.P.S.) was used to conduct this study. The sample number was (75 farmers from the Qalat Sukkar district, 105 farmers from the AL-Rifai district, 45 farmers from the AL-Shatrah district, and 29 farmers from the ALNasr district) (15% of the total number of farmers) it was 254 farmers. Questionnaire techniques and interviews with the farmers were adopted to collect the data (March to May 2019). The study has revealed that the highest percentage (62.6 %) belonged to the medium category in applying modern agricultural technology to improve wheat crop production. The application level of modern agricultural technology was significant and positive at a 1% probability level under six variables. Multiple regression analyses have been studied with ten variables: social class, age, Education, Occupation, Farm power, Size of land holding, Family type, Family size, social participation, and Source of information utilized. This research has contributed nine independent variables with significant levels of variation to the extent of the application level of modern agricultural technology in improving wheat crop production (R2= 0.759). The importance of farmers using modern agricultural technology with the parts (Soil preparation, Planting and crop service, harvesting processes and marketing) was high according to (72.12, 70.72, and 68.41) respectively. The data were used for analysis: Frequency, percentage, mean, Standard deviation, and multiple regression analysis. According to the result, farmers' application of modern technology in improving wheat crop production was good. Modern agricultural technology will reduce costs, increase productivity, and save soil quality. The importance of farmers with the parts (Soil preparation, planting, crop service, harvesting processes, and marketing) was high according to (72.12, 70.72, and 68.41) respectively. Because of this, it is necessary to improve the cultivation of wheat crops to achieve high productivity and reduce the problems that happen during agricultural production. Keywords: Technology, Independent variables, Farmers, Harvesting, Size of land holding

Unveiling the impact of harvest time on Dioscorea opposita Thunb. cv. Tiegun maturity by NMR-based metabolomics and LC-MS/MS analysis.

Dioscorea opposita Thunb. cv. Tiegun maturity (DM) is an important factor influencing its quality. However, there are few studies on the impact of harvest time on its maturation. In the present study, a NMR-based metabolomics approach was applied to investigate the dynamic metabolic changes of D. opposita Thunb. cv. Tiegun at six different harvest stages: stage 1 (S1), stage 2 (S2), Stage 3 (S3), stage 4 (S4), stage 5 (S5) and stage 6 (S6). Principal component analysis showed distinct segregation of samples obtained from S1, S2 and S3 compared to those derived from S4, S5 and S6. Interestingly, these samples from the two periods were obtained before and after frost, indicating that frost descent might be important for DM. Eight differential metabolites responsible for good separation of different groups were identified by the principal component analysis loading plot and partial least squares-discriminant analysis. In addition, quantitative analysis of these metabolites using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry determined the effects of harvest time on these metabolite contents, two of which, sucrose and allantoin, were considered as potential biomarkers to determine DM. The present study demonstrated that NMR-based metabolomics approach could serve as a powerful tool to identify differential metabolites during harvesting processes, also offering a fresh insight into understanding the DM and the potential mechanism of quality formation. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Sustainability Evaluation of the Al-Qasab Playa by Integrating Hydrogeochemical and Graphical, ArcGIS Watershed, and Thermodynamic Geochemical Modeling Approaches

Drawing development plans requires evaluating the available resources and assessing their sustainable and subsequent utilization-driven environmental impacts. The current work is concerned with evaluating the sustainability of the halite harvesting process from Al-Qasab Playa, Shaqra, Central Saudi Arabia. The authors integrated, conceptually and quantitatively, ArcGIS-processed SRTM-DEM (Shuttle Radar Topography Mission-Digital Elevation Model) data, hydrogeochemical and thermodynamic-based geochemical modelling, and graphical approaches to achieve the ultimate aims of the study. The watershed is identified as a nonmarine closed basin with a drainage area of 1290 km2, with the slope controlling recharge to the Playa. The Chadha plot including the rainwater exhibits linear regression, with an R2 value of 0.9947, confirming the rainwater origin of the Playa water. The hardness-forming ions are primarily removed in pond 3, eliminating the need for costly and power-consuming steps of softening with ion exchange resins or nanofiltration as it can be used directly as a readily available feed for the chlor-alkali process for producing NaOH, Cl2, and H2 gases through electrolysis. XRD (X-ray diffraction) analysis and the SEM-EDS (Scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy) of the harvested halite confirmed its purity. An improved design of the current folkloric harvesting process has been proposed based on the saturation indices calculated thermodynamically to provide a readily available feed intake for the electrolysis chlor-alkali process with or without minimal pretreatment to produce higher value chemicals. The methodological aspects presented here are deemed robust and valid for applications in other study areas, including the assessment of the exploitation of the rejected brine from the desalination plants to achieve the zero liquid discharge approach, as well as other types of sabkhas, regardless of their geographical location.

Microcellulose From Pineapple Leaf Fiber as a PotentialSustainable Material: Extraction And Characterization

Pineapple leaf fiber is consideredan agricultural waste during the harvesting process. Pineapple leaves are rich in cellulose, which made it applicable in many industrial applications. This study aims to extract and characterize microcellulose from pineapple leaf waste in Kampar district, Riau. Pineapple fibers were isolated by alkalization (5 % NaOH) at 70 ºC for 150 minutes, followed by bleaching treatment(3% H2O2) at 60°C for 60minutes. Microcellulosewascharacterized through various techniques, namely chemical composition analysis, Fourier transform analysis (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and thermogravimetric analysis (DT/TGA). The results reveal that the extractedmicrocellulose has significantcellulose content (72.45%) with a crystallinity index of 73.48%. The FTIR spectra of microcellulose indicatethat alkalization and bleaching treatments removed lignin and hemicellulose in varying degrees. Moreover, the extracted microcelluloseshows high thermal stability, the maximum decompositionoccurredat 347 ºC (weight residue 16.37%).Pineappleleaf fiber in Kampar district, Riau, can be a source of microcellulose as a renewable, eco-friendly, and sustainable material for future industrial applications.

An Enhanced Nonlinear Energy Sink for Hybrid Bifurcation Passive Mitigation and Energy Harvesting From Aeroelastic Galloping Phenomena

Abstract Galloping is a self-excited vibration problem that structures immersed in fluid flow can experience. Due to its essential nonlinear phenomena, the structure exhibits limit cycle oscillations (LCOs), which, at high levels, can lead to failure of the systems. This work proposes an investigation of electromagnetic-enhanced nonlinear energy sinks (NES-EH) for the hybrid mitigation of aeroelastic LCOs and energy harvesting. The study focuses on a prismatic bluff body with a linear suspension immersed in the airflow, using classical steady nonlinear modeling for aerodynamic loads. The conventional NES approach is adopted, employing cubic stiffness and linear damping. Additionally, a linear electromagnetic transducer is included in the assembly for the energy harvesting process. By combining the method of multiple scales with the Harmonic Balance Method, analytical solutions are derived to characterize the system's dynamics under the influence of the device. The different response domains and their respective boundaries induced by the NES-EH are characterized based on the bifurcation diagrams. Furthermore, a slow invariant manifold (SIM) characterization is presented for each induced response domain, and its significant features are discussed. Parametric studies are carried out based on bifurcation analyses to assess the effect of NES-EH parameters on the galloping system dynamics, which allows for designing the absorber parameters. The electrical resistance is optimized to maximize the harvested power. The optimal design of NES-EH is then compared with classical energy harvesting solutions for the galloping problem. Additionally, a thorough analysis of the Target Energy Transfer phenomenon is performed.

Optimizing Atmospheric Ion Harvesting Electrodes with Graphene for Clean Energy Generation Based on Capacitive Properties and Energy Storage

The atmosphere is rich in positive ions, rendering it electrically more positive than the Earth's surface. This characteristic presents the atmosphere as a potential source of renewable energy through ion harvesting. This study harnesses the electrical properties by optimizing ion harvesting electrodes using pristine graphene and graphene-Au thin films to generate clean electricity. Research methods included Raman Spectroscopy and Cyclic Voltammetry (CV) to assess the surface characteristics and capacitance of the graphene samples, along with laboratory-scale ion harvesting simulations to evaluate the energy data produced in the ion harvesting process. The samples used in this study were identified as bilayer graphene, as confirmed by Raman Spectroscopy. CV testing yielded capacitance values of 0.40288 F for pristine graphene and 0.44879 F for graphene-Au samples. According to ion harvesting simulations, graphene-Au generated approximately 6.8 times more energy than pristine graphene and five times more energy than copper alone. The respective energy outputs for graphene-Au, pristine graphene, and pure copper were 1.376 mW, 1.157 mW, and 0.374 mW. These results demonstrate that adding a graphene layer to the atmospheric ion-harvesting electrode can optimize the electricity generation process.

Hybrid energy harvesting by reverse di-electric on a piezo-electric generator with thermo-couple and monitoring in WSN

Smart renewable energy harvesting has been implemented from hybrid sources such as solar and wind. The wireless sensor node is created for monitoring surface water. In the intelligent building, electrical energy is harvested from the hybrid source of solar and wind energy. The source energy was selected for the harvesting process by using a fuzzy controller. In this proposed method, piezo-electric reverse electro-wetting on di-electric energy harvesting is proposed where constant DC voltage is generated by a rectifier. A DC-DC converter is designed to power up the remote read-out sensor. The produced charge is transformed by a charge amplifier with the proportion of output voltage that is delivered to the wireless receiver. The harvested DC voltage varies with the temperature and external environmental effect. In our work, we obtained 6 × 10−3 W/m2 of voltage and this harvested energy is monitored using the Internet of Things (IoT) by the proposed EHOR (Energy Harvested Optimized Routing) algorithm.

On Search for Unconventional Energy Sources for Harvesting

Energy transformation requires replacing power plants based on fossil raw materials with renewable energy. Energy harvesting plays an important, although not fully appreciated, role here. Distributed, local power supply systems for small receivers, based on various sources which previously dissipated energy, may contribute to changing the current energy paradigm. This article presents an overview of energy harvesting technologies and various energy sources used in this process. Particular attention was paid to sources of a less conventional nature. The aim of this article is to encourage and direct scientists with the potential to explore this topic to look for new, previously unexploited energy sources and innovative and effective methods of obtaining useful energy in the harvesting process.

Optical properties of cotton and mulching film and feature bands selection in the 400 to 1120 nm range

Cotton is prone to being mixed with mulching film during the harvesting and packing process in China, which can significantly decrease the quality of cotton fiber and impact the quality of subsequent textile products. Mulching film is a translucent material that makes it challenging to detect optically, which presents an urgent challenge for cotton quality testing due to the lack of research on its detection mechanism. In this study, the absorption coefficient (μa), reduced scattering coefficient (μs'), and scattering anisotropy factor (g) of cotton lint and mulching film in the spectral region of 400–1120 nm were obtained using an integrating sphere-based spectroscopic measurement system. The accuracy of the system was validated using liquid phantoms made from polystyrene particles and absorbing dyes. The interval random frog (iRF) algorithm was used to select feature bands, and multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) was employed to assess the differences between cotton and mulching film in terms of μa and μs' in the selected feature bands. Support vector machine (SVM) and linear discriminant analysis (LDA) were utilized to classify the concatenation of μa, μs', μa and μs' of cotton and mulching film in full wavelengths and feature bands. The results demonstrated that there were significant differences in μa, μs' and g between cotton and mulching film due to their different chemical compositions, surface morphology, and tensile properties. The selected feature bands were in the blue band (456.1 nm), red bands (605.8 nm, 628.9 nm, 685.6 nm), and near-infrared bands (805.4 nm, 837 nm, 1006.3 nm). The SVM classification results of the concatenation of μa, μs', μa and μs' for cotton and mulching film were 100 % in both full wavelengths and feature bands. This study makes a significant contribution by reporting the optical properties of cotton and mulching film, which were used to determine the detection sensitive bands. These findings will serve as a theoretical foundation and data set for the development of detection equipment to identify mulching film in the cotton production process.

Effect of Moisture Content on Combine Harvested Seed Crop and its Quality

The moisture content during harvesting significantly influences post-harvest losses, encompassing factors that collectively diminish both the quantity and quality of agricultural produce. These factors involve pre-harvest sprouting, mechanical damages and susceptibility to diseases at post-harvest. To mitigate the risks associated with excessive moisture, farmers have to employ proper harvesting techniques such as using a combine harvester. The combine harvester proves invaluable by efficient harvesting, threshing and winnowing various crops like rice, corn, wheat, sunflower and pulses directly in the field. This streamlined process not only saves time and reduces the need for human labour but also lowers overall work costs for farmers. Additionally, the utilization of these machines enhances agricultural productivity, ensuring a more efficient harvesting process and contributing to greater profitability in farming practices. Consequently, effective moisture content management becomes essential for minimizing losses and preserving seed quality. A multipurpose nature of a combine harvester minimizes the need for manual labour in harvesting, leading to a reduction in workforce requirements, time expenditure and effort. Consequently, this enhances overall productivity. The objective of the present review is to describe the effect of moisture content on crop, machine and operational parameters on seed quality of combine harvested crops and discussed the effect of moisture content on mechanical damage of combine harvested seed crop and its germination potential and seedling vigour.

Multi-Vehicle Unmanned Following Operation Driving System Based on OpenMV

In response to the low level of agricultural production automation and labor shortage, to improve the efficiency of agricultural machinery utilization and the reliability of automatic navigation, this paper designs an intelligent agricultural machinery system based on OpenMV for multi-vehicle unmanned following operations. Firstly, the kinematics of the agricultural machinery vehicle is analyzed, the path recognition and location line extraction are carried out using the OpenMV vision module, and the agricultural machinery steering control system is designed using the cascade PID closed-loop control technology, which achieves accurate steering control and path tracking on straight lines and curves. Subsequently, using embedded microcontrollers to manage the workflow, utilizing OpenMV visual modules to receive, store, and process positioning information, and sending control instructions to execution units such as the TB6612FNG motor drive module. Moreover, in response to the communication issues involving multiple HC-05 Bluetooth modules in the system's multi-vehicle communication, corresponding protocol specifications have been developed, and combined with the use of the HC-SR04 ultrasonic module to maintain dual vehicle distance and obstacle detection, achieving multi-vehicle collaborative following operations. The experimental results show that the system achieves a path recognition navigation accuracy of 93.4% and a communication success rate of 97.5% in simulating the process of farm harvesting and transportation, effectively proving the multi-vehicle collaboration of the system in the paper

Postharvest Losses and Management of Horticultural Produce: A Review

Horticultural postharvest losses pose a significant challenge to the supply chain and economic growth, particularly in impoverished nations. This review paper explores the multifaceted issues surrounding postharvest losses in horticultural crops and emphasizes the critical role of technological innovations in mitigating these losses. Various stakeholders within the value chain, including farmers, handlers, and consumers, face substantial risks due to insufficient postharvest handling techniques. The study underscores the urgency of adopting advanced postharvest technologies, focusing on enhanced harvesting and packaging strategies. By using cutting-edge technologies, it is possible to lower losses after harvest and raise the general standard of fresh produce. The improper use of packing materials and inadequate packaging methods significantly contribute to these losses, making it imperative to address these aspects for sustainable solutions. This comprehensive review not only identifies the reason for fruit and vegetable losses after harvesting within the countries but also provides actionable insights into mitigating measures. This article intends to support the creation of a robust and successful horticulture supply chain by addressing the issues and offering workable solutions. The integration of technological advancements in harvesting, handling, and packaging processes emerges as a key element in the overall strategy to reduce postharvest losses and promote economic growth in resource-constrained regions.

Fibular free flap with proximal perforator skin paddle due to aberrant anatomy — a case report

BackgroundThe fibular free flap is considered one of the most valuable options for mandible reconstruction. A perforator flap has gained widespread acceptance in oral and maxillofacial reconstruction. Typically, the fibula flap is obtained primarily with the distal perforator due to its reliable blood supply, with less attention given to the proximal perforators during the harvesting process. Normally, the distal perforator of the fibula exhibits stability and shows limited anatomical variations. However, there have been reported cases in which the distal perforator is absent. At times, these vascular abnormalities remain undetectable through Doppler examination or preoperative angiography evaluation. Therefore, this case details the experience of encountering the rare event of vascular abnormality in oral cancer surgery.Case presentationThis article reports the case of a patient who presented with a congenital absence of the distal perforator in the peroneal artery, attributed to a vascular abnormality. Additionally, we provide a review of the concept of utilizing the proximal perforator as an alternative approach in the flap harvesting process.ConclusionsWhile the distal perforator of the peroneal artery is typically utilized for fibula free flap procedures, surgeons must remain cognizant of the potential for its absence due to aberrant anatomy. Recognizing an alternative approach in such cases can be pivotal for precise surgical planning and favorable outcomes in oral and maxillofacial reconstruction

Recognition of Mushrooms and Classification of Edible and Toxic Families using Hardware Implementation of CNN Algorithms on an Embedded system

In this work, new ideas in the realm of picture identification and classification are developed and implemented on hardware. This entails putting new algorithms into practice, whether for color, texture, or shape identification for AI (Artificial Intelligence) and picture recognition applications. We concentrate on identifying edible mushrooms in the harvesting and food manufacturing processes. Our proposal for an embedded system based on a Raspberry-Pi4 type microcomputer employing a combination of hardware and software components has helped with the recognition and classification of items in the image. Our object recognition system is built on a novel neighborhood topology and a cutting-edge kernel function that enables the effective embedding of image processing-related characteristics. We tested the suggested CNN-based object recognition system using a variety of challenging settings, including diverse fungus species, uncontrolled environments, and varying backdrop and illumination conditions. The outcomes were superior to various state-of-the-art outcomes. On the other hand, our contribution relating to the dynamic mode integrates a CNN network to accurately encode the temporal information with an attention mask allowing us to focus on the characteristics of an edible mushroom according to the state of the art, and guarantee the robustness of the recognition. We implemented our algorithm on a Raspberry Pi400-based embedded system connected to a CMOS camera-type image sensor plus an HMI human-machine interface for the instantaneous display of results for the rapid classification of edible and inedible mushrooms.

Experimental Investigation of by-Product Hydrogen Gas in the Harvesting Process of Dunaliella salina using a Non-Sacrificial Cathode

Experimental Investigation of by-Product Hydrogen Gas in the Harvesting Process of Dunaliella salina using a Non-Sacrificial Cathode

Theoretical Study of the Motion of a Cut Sugar Beet Tops Particle along the Inner Surface of the Conveying and Unloading System of a Topping Machine

One of the most delicate operations in the sugar beet harvesting process is removing the tops from the heads of the root crops without any mechanical damages. The aim of this study is to improve the design of the conveying and unloading system of the sugar beet topper machine. In this paper, a mathematical model of the motion of a cut beet tops particle M, along the conveying and unloading system, has been developed to support the evaluation of kinematic and design parameters, depending on the rotational speed of the thrower blade, the air flow speed, the required ejection speed of particle M, and the position of the trailer that moves alongside the harvester. It has been established that increasing the speed Va of the top particle M, which has left the end of the blade of the thrower, leads to an increase in the arc coordinate S(t) of its movement along the cylindrical section of the casing. Within the range of the speed change from 4 m·s–1 to 8 m·s–1, the value of the arc coordinate S(t) increases by 1.4 times during time t = 0.006 s. Moreover, a rapid decrease in speed V is observed with an increase in the length x of the discharge chute.

Further Studies of Mechanical Damage on Machine-Harvested Cotton Fiber via Coupling Effect of Moisture Regains and Low Temperature

ABSTRACT Cotton is a crucial raw material for the textile industry, and the quality of its initial product greatly affects the properties of the yarn and fabric. However, the impact of low temperature and moisture regain during ginning on the mechanical properties has not been extensively studied. This paper aims to address this gap by designing and analyzing a strategy for evaluating the mechanical properties of machine-harvested cotton fibers pretreated at different moisture regain levels and temperatures. Regression models for the relationship between temperature and mechanical properties under different moisture regain conditions were also established, showing good consistency. Additionally, the study examines the mechanical damage mechanism of cotton fibers during the harvesting and ginning process by observing the fiber fracture interface of different samples. Especially, those with low moisture regain exhibit a V-type fracture, while those with high moisture regain display significant fibrils exposed on the fiber body, resulting in a tearing morphology at the fracture interface. In conclusion, this study provides theoretical support for optimizing the harvesting process in cotton processing enterprises in terms of moisture regain and low temperature and makes a significant toward sustainable cotton fiber harvesting and processing technology.

Exploring the feasibility of autonomous forestry operations: Results from the first experimental unmanned machine

AbstractThis article presents a study on the world's first unmanned machine designed for autonomous forestry operations. In response to the challenges associated with traditional forestry operations, we developed a platform equipped with essential hardware components necessary for performing autonomous forwarding tasks. Through the use of computer vision, autonomous navigation, and manipulator control algorithms, the machine is able to pick up logs from the ground and manoeuvre through a range of forest terrains without the need for human intervention. Our initial results demonstrate the potential for safe and efficient autonomous extraction of logs in the cut‐to‐length harvesting process. We achieved a high level of accuracy in our computer vision system, and our autonomous navigation system proved to be highly efficient. This research represents a significant milestone in the field of autonomous outdoor robotics, with far‐reaching implications for the future of forestry operations. By reducing the need for human labor, autonomous machines have the potential to increase productivity and reduce labor costs, while also minimizing the environmental impact of timber harvesting. The success of our study highlights the potential for further development and optimization of autonomous machines in the forestry industry.

Integrated metabolome and transcriptome analysis of differences in quality of ripe Lycium barbarum L. fruits harvested at different periods

BackgroundWolfberry is well-known for its high nutritional value and medicinal benefits. Due to the continuous ripening nature of Goji berries and the fact that they can be commercially harvested within a few weeks, their phytochemical composition may change during the harvesting process at different periods.ResultThe involved molecular mechanisms of difference in fruit quality of ripe Lycium barbarum L. harvested at four different periods were investigated by transcriptomic and metabolomics analyses for the first time. According to the results we obtained, it was found that the appearance quality of L. barbarum fruits picked at the beginning of the harvesting season was superior, while the accumulation of sugar substances in L. barbarum fruits picked at the end of the harvesting season was better. At the same time the vitamin C and carotenoids content of wolfberry fruits picked during the summer harvesting season were richer. Ascorbic acid, succinic acid, glutamic acid, and phenolic acids have significant changes in transcription and metabolism levels. Through the network metabolic map, we found that ascorbic acid, glutamic acid, glutamine and related enzyme genes were differentially accumulated and expressed in wolfberry fruits at different harvesting periods. Nevertheless, these metabolites played important roles in the ascorbate–glutathione recycling system. Ascorbic acid, phenolic substances and the ascorbate–glutathione recycling system have antioxidant effects, which makes the L. barbarum fruits harvested in the summer more in line with market demand and health care concepts.ConclusionThis study laid the foundation for understanding the molecular regulatory mechanisms of quality differences of ripe wolfberry fruits harvested at different periods, and provides a theoretical basis for enhancing the quality of L. barbarum fruits.

BRIKET SEKAM PADI SEBAGAI ENERGI ALTERNATIF DI DESA BANDINGAN, BAWANG BANJARNEGARA

Rice husk is a type of food that is very valuable for food security in cultivation in various parts of the world. The agricultural, harvesting and rice processing processes are an integral part. The evaluation was carried out with the aim of knowing the follow-up to the implementation of this training. From the evaluation, it was found that training in briquette making would be followed up by the Bandingan Village farmer group together with students. Based on the results of the implementation of outreach activities, it can be concluded that: 1) Provide knowledge and awareness to the people of Bandingan Village, Bawang sub-district regarding the use of briquettes from rice husk waste. 2) The creation of processed rice husk waste into briquettes has economic value so that it can be used as an additional alternative to help the economy of the community around the comparison village of Bawang District, Banjarnegara Regency.