Furrow Width Research Articles

Development and evaluation of a self-adaptable planting unit for an autonomous planting process of field vegetables

Today, the number of solutions for automated processes in agriculture is growing rapidly. This is primarily driven by the lack of available and affordable labour, pricing pressures, and regulatory requirements. Vegetable production in particular has a lot of potential for automation, as many process steps, such as planting, are performed partly manually. Fully automated systems for the planting process are characterized by their big size, which is only suitable for large farms. At the same time, these planters typically have a low level of intelligence, which is essential for a fully autonomous planting process performed by autonomous vehicles or robots. The following work therefore deals with the development and construction of a prototype for vegetable planting via a robotic platform. This prototype is designed to meet the requirements of a conventional planter and carry out the planting process automatically using a robotic platform. To ensure a robust robotic planting process, an AI-based control system has been integrated that can detect and adjust the planting quality. For this reason, the planting unit was designed to allow dynamic changes in working depth and furrow width. By dynamically controlling these planting parameters, there is potential for a more sustainable planting process with lower energy requirements. A number of evaluations have been carried out to validate the described characteristics of the prototype planting unit.

Investigation of pollen morphology and viability of sweet and sour cherry genotypes by multivariate analysis.

The aim of this study was to examine the dimensions and surface morphology of pollen grains of some sweet and sour cherry genotypes through scanning electron microscopy (SEM) as an additional alternative identification tool. In vitro pollen germination and pollen tube length as indicators of their viability were determined as well. Observations were carried on 10 sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) and 7 sour cherry (Prunus cerasus L.) genotypes. All genotypes had prolate, tricolpate pollen grains, and striate exine ornamentation, with more parallel longitudinal ridges. Significant differences among genotypes within species and between species were found for most pollen grain characteristics and exine ornamentation. In both sweet and sour cherry the largest variability was recorded for colpus length (CV = 15.0% and 12.9%, respectively). For sweet cherry genotypes, in vitro pollen germination and pollen tube length ranged between 1.4% to 51.5% and 360.4 to 669.3 μm respectively, while for sour cherries they ranged from 15.5% to 37.0% and 96.3 to 960.2 μm, respectively. The results of the correlation analysis showed that in vitro pollen germination correlated positively with pollen length/pollen width (L/W) ratio (r = .640) and furrow width (r = .588), and negatively with the number of ridges (r = -.517), while pollen tube length was not significantly correlated with any of the studied characteristics. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that pollen length, pollen width, L/W ratio, colpus length, mesocolpium width, and ridge width are relevant tools to discriminate among the studied genotypes. The measurements made on pollen grains did not reveal individually big differences, but when all features were considered together, the pollen of each genotype exhibited a unique pattern. The distribution on the scatter plot showed considerable variation among sweet and sour cherry genotypes based on pollen morphological characteristics, which led to their distribution into two separate groups. This demonstrates the ability to distinguish cherry species based on pollen morphological characteristics determined by SEM. To improve discriminative ability for genotypes within species combination between pollen ultrastructural analysis, morphological and molecular markers is desirable, in subsequent work. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: Significant differences in pollen characteristics between sweet and sour cherry. Significance of pollen morphology in taxonomic differentiation. Significance of SEM studies for the taxonomic identification.

Participatory Demonstration of Durum Wheat Production Blending Vertisols Management Technologies in Lume District, East Shewa, Ethiopia

Durum wheat production on Vertisols is constrained by waterlogging, where excessive soil moisture limits nutrient availability, resulting in lower yields and higher input demand. Aybar broad bed maker (BBM) was recommended to make broad beds and furrows (BBF) and drain the excess water although it is not widely adopted by farmers. Therefore, this demonstration activity was conducted to create awareness about the importance of BBF along with the recommended fertilizer rates in Lume district during the 2021 and 2022 main cropping seasons. Nine target farmers were purposefully selected based on the ground that their farms are waterlogged Vertisols. Aybar BBM to make the BBF with an 80 cm bed and 20 cm furrow width, while recommended fertilizers at a rate of 92 kg ha<sup>-1</sup> nitrogen (N) and 10 kg ha<sup>-1 </sup>phosphorous (P) were used. The yield data and farmers’ perception were analyzed using t-test, descriptive statistics, and narration, while partial budget analysis was conducted to examine the economic feasibility of the technologies. Results showed that growing durum wheat on BBF by applying the recommended N and P rates resulted in significantly higher grain yield (3474 kg ha<sup>-1</sup>) <i>with a 65.4% yield advantage </i>compared to ridge and furrow (RF) (2100 kg ha<sup>-1</sup>) with the blanket fertilizer rates. The partial budget analysis revealed that land preparation using Aybar BBM, alongside the recommended fertilizer rates, brought a net benefit of 48,563 ETB ha<sup>-1</sup> over the farmers' practice. Likewise, the marginal rate of return for changing from the local plow to Aybar BBM is 901.7%. The farmers also witnessed that the Aybar BBM even takes less plowing time and energy, and they want to continue to use it. <i>In light of these results, the study concludes that the use of Aybar BBM and recommended N and P rates, as a production package on waterlogged Vertisols, is profitable for farmers and recommends promoting and scaling up these technologies in the study area and other waterlogged Vertisols regions of the country.</i>

Research on self-healing characteristic and state prediction method of the copper based powder metallurgy materials on friction interface

In high power density transmission systems, the friction and wear characteristic of copper based powder metallurgy materials is directly linked to working reliability. Moreover, these materials have frictional self-healing characteristic at the material interface. This paper focuses on exploring the healing mechanism of copper based powder metallurgy materials and conducts ‘damage-healing’ tests, proposing a method to characterize the self-healing characteristic. Subsequently, through comparative tests, the influence of temperature, speed, and pressure on the self-healing characteristics is analyzed. The results show that the increase in temperature reduces the furrow width and depth by 15.30% and 59.76%, respectively. Pressure has the greatest effect on surface roughness, reducing it by 67%. Meanwhile, this paper developed a PSO (Particle Swarm Optimization)-LSTM (Long Short-Term Memory) method to accurately predict the self-healing characterization parameters and self-healing time with small error (average 4.35%) and high correlation coefficient (R 2) (average 0.976). This study contributes to the development of interface repair technology for friction materials.

Evaluation of Locally Fabricated Ridger Attached to Power Tiller and Mini Tiller for Bed Making and its Breakeven Analysis

Growing vegetables in raised beds offers several advantages, including proper drainage, weed control, and higher yields, among others. However, Bhutanese farmers construct these beds manually due to the lack of appropriate equipment’s, which is labor-intensive and tedious. To address this issue, ridgers attached to power tillers and mini tillers were designed and evaluated. Power tiller attached ridger was tested at three forward speeds 1.1, 1.4 and 2.4km/h and mini tiller attached ridger was tested for the interaction of the same speeds and two different depths to determine the bed height, furrow width and field capacity of the machines. The result shown that power tiller ridgers showed increased capacity of 4.51 acre/day at higher speed of 2.4km/h, while mini tiller ridgers maintained a relatively constant capacity ranging from 3.44 acre/day to 3.46 acre/day at forward speed ranging from 1.1km/h to 2.4km/h. The result indicated that forward speed had a minimal effect on bed height formation. Deeper tillage resulted in higher bed heights within recommended range of 20-30cm. Furrow width slightly increased with higher speeds. Power tiller and mini tiller bed making is 55 and 38 times more efficient than manual labor, and the investment in these implements can be recovered after using them for 1.03 and 0.55 acres, respectively, indicating their economic viability. Incorporating ridgers into vegetable cultivation practices has the potential to improve productivity and alleviate the burden on farmers in Bhutan.

Investigation of Furrow Formation by Rotary Tillage Tools with an Active Drive

Power driven rotary tillage tools are widely used in agriculture. However, the process of furrow formation by these tillage tools remains insufficiently studied. (Research purpose) To study the process of furrow formation by the actuating elements of rotary working bodies with an active drive. (Materials and methods) The experiments were carried out on a laboratory setup in a soil bin filled with sandy soil. The attack angle of the working elements ranged from 30 to 90 degrees, and the kinematic parameter varied from 0.8 to 2.2. The actuating element of the investigated rotary tillage tools was made in both circular and elliptical blade forms with the least curvature line (the major semi-axis of the ellipse). The actuating element with an elliptical blade has the ability to adjust the angle of inclination relative to the axis of rotation of the of the tillage tool. (Results and discussion) Rotary tillage tools with a circular blade form a furrow parallel to the travel direction. It has been established that an increase in the attack angle of the tillage tool from 30 to 90 degrees results in a twofold increase in the width of the furrow. The actuating element, made along the elliptical line of the blade, forms a furrow having the shape of a parallelogram when viewed from above. At a small angle of attack, this actuating element forms a short, narrow furrow deviating from the unit’s travel direction within the boundaries of the furrow width of the rotary tillage tool. (Conclusions) The results obtained make it possible to choose the parameters for the studied rotary tillage tools, which will ensure the formation of optimal furrows. This will increase the evenness of the furrow bottom and the degree of weed destruction, i.e. improved soil quality.

Effects of Burial Furrow Parameters on Soil Water Movement under Subsurface Stalk Composite Pipe Irrigation

Stalk composite pipe (SCP), a novel product used for subsurface irrigation, is primarily composed of crop stalks, soil, and water. In subsurface SCP irrigation (SSI), comprehending the effects of burial furrow parameters on soil water movement is critical. However, the precise effects are not known. Here, we aimed to assess the effects of varying burial furrow dimensions, including widths of 15, 20, and 25 cm, depths of 10, 15, and 20 cm, and backfilling-soil bulk densities of 1.1, 1.2, and 1.3 g cm−3, on wetted distance and soil water movement. We conducted an indoor soil bin experiment and numerical simulation using HYDRUS-2D in 2020–2021 in Zhengzhou City, Northern China. Wider burial furrows resulted in increased wetted distance and soil water content, ultimately leading to greater effect in a horizontal direction. In the horizontal profile, the average soil water content of the SSI treatments, which used burial furrow widths of 15, 20, and 25 cm, were 1.121, 1.230, and 1.280 times higher, respectively, than those of CK. The burial furrow depth had minimal effect on the wetted distance, whereas adjusting the burial furrow depth primarily affected the saturation depth. The speed of wetting-front migration was affected by the backfilling-soil bulk density. For a given soil and crop, it is advisable to determine first the burial furrow width and backfilling-soil bulk density. Subsequently, the burial furrow depth should be established based on the distribution of the crop’s roots. Our findings offer a scientific basis for using SSI.

Performance Evaluation of Jerusalem Artichoke Digging Tool in Cohesive Soil Using Discrete Element Method

Highlights Response surface methodology is suitable for DEM input parameter optimization. Soil reaction forces reduced at velocity ratios greater than one (1.2-3.9). Vibration reduced soil reaction forces at the target depth of 350 mm by 70%. In general, soil reaction forces increase with speed but decrease with frequency. Abrasive wear predominantly occurred at the tool’s cutting section. Abstract. The discrete element method (DEM) and response surface methodology (RSM) were used to determine the input parameters and combination of operational factors required for optimizing the Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus L.) harvesting tool in cohesive soil. The DEM soil model consisted of particles with different radii in three shapes calibrated using angle of repose and cone penetration data. Compared with data from a soil bin subsoiler evaluation, the DEM model showed acceptable relative errors for draught force (6.7%), vertical force (4.5%), and furrow width (9.3%). The effects of operational factors, including forward speed, vibration frequency, and amplitude, on response variables such as draught and vertical forces, drawbar power, and abrasive wear were analyzed for three harvesting shovels (S-shape, step-shape, and fork-shape). The ratio of vibratory speed to forward speed (velocity ratio, Vr) was used to analyze the combined effect of the factors. The operational factors significantly affected all the response variables (p<0.05). At Vr > 1 (1.2-3.9), soil reaction forces and drawbar power were considerably reduced. The optimal parameters for minimizing the response variables were 2.5 km h-1 forward speed, 14.5 Hz frequency, 30 mm amplitude, and S-shape shovel at Vr = 3.9. The minimum draught force, vertical force, drawbar power, and Archard wear depth were 4.64 kN, 0.41 kN, 2.64 kW, and 2.36 mm, respectively, at an operating depth of 350 mm. Operating in vibratory mode reduced draught force by 54% with the full width of the implement. Future work should include Jerusalem artichoke tubers in the simulation and experimental validation. Keywords: Abrasive wear, Clay, Numerical optimization, Soil reaction forces, Velocity ratio, Vibration.

Soil mobilization in function of sowing speed in maize

The sowing process can be affected by constructive differences related to the seeder, morphological and climatological conditions, and depending on the working speed used. The performance of the furrow opening components of the seeders is essential for obtaining good yields and productivity of maizecrops. This work aims to evaluate maize sowing with a Massey Ferguson tractor model MF 7370 with power of 125 kW pneumatic seeder-fertilizer as a function of its behavior at the different displacement speeds. The statistical design used was randomized blocks, with six displacement speeds, approximately (V1=2.0; V2=4.7; V3=6.5; V4=8.1; V5=10.3 and V6=12.3 km h-1), for the maize crop, with four replications, totaling 24 experimental plots. Soil mobilization parameters were evaluated: furrow width and depth, furrow mobilized area, and furrow opening angle. As agronomic traits were evaluated: the number of days for sowing emergence, initial and final sowing population, and grain yield. The mobilized area, angle, and depth of the furrowing fitted the quadratic regression model, while sulcus width had an increasing linear effect. Intermediate speeds V4 (8.1 km h-1) showed the highest values of the mobilized area and furrow depth and the lowest furrow angle value, whereas V3 (6.5 km h-1) presented the highest yield (8902 kg ha-1).

Assessing the influence of furrow width on growth and yield of soybean in ridge-furrow relay intercropping system with flax

Soybean flax ridge-furrow relay intercropping system is a new method of intercropping system to distress excessive vegetative growth of soybean during the rainy season. However, the effects of furrow width for flax on growth and yield of soybean in ridge-furrow relay intercropping system remain unclear. In this study, we investigated that the effects of three treatments (FS1: 10 cm furrow width, FS2: 20 cm furrow width, FS3: 30 cm furrow width) on growth and yield of soybean and clarified informative principal data for soybean flax ridge-furrow relay intercropping system. In a three-year field experiment, soybean was grown in ridges and flax was grown in furrows. At the early vegetative growth stage of soybean, environmental conditions such as water, light, and temperature, in ridge-furrow relay intercropping system, decreased significantly by interspecific competition in comparison with sole cropping system. The differences in environmental conditions between sole cropped and intercropped treatments increased in accordance with increasing width of flax furrow. Especially, soil moisture content, photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), and temperature in FS3 were 39.9%, 29.6%, 4.4 ℃ lower than those of SS, respectively, on average of 3 years. At the reproductive growth stage, expanding furrow width for flax decreased the number of abscised leaves, plant height, leaf area index (LAI), and specific leaf area (SLA) of intercropped soybean, while increased PAR penetration within the canopy and stem diameter. At 130 DAS, average numbers of abscised leaves in FS2 and FS3 were 4 and 5 lower than that of SS, respectively. Plant height of soybean was 0.3 m lower than that of SS in both FS2 and FS3. In LAI, the value of sole cropped soybean varied between 6.8 and 7.2, but it in FS2 and FS3 varied between 3.4 and 4.3. Particularly, LAI in FS2 ranged from 4.1 to 4.3. Average stem diameter of soybean was 0.3 cm higher than that of SS in both FS2 and FS3. PAR penetration at 30 cm below soybean canopy in FS1, FS2, and FS3 was 111.2, 122.5, 133.0% of that in SS, respectively. These led to a higher crop growth rate (CGR), reproductive growth rate (RGR), and grain distribution in intercropped soybean, as compared to sole cropped soybean. Among three treatments, FS2 exhibited the maximum CGR, RGR, and grain distribution. Also, FS2 achieved maximum soybean yield of 4.9 t ha−1 (averaged by 2020, 2021, and 2022) and maximum land equivalent ratio (LER) of 2.1 (averaged by 2020, 2021, and 2022). No significant difference in LER was observed between FS2 and FS3; however, soybean yield in FS2 was significantly higher compared to FS3 across each year. Our results suggest that by selecting the appropriate furrow width, we can constrain the excessive vegetative growth more effectively and increase the yield of soybean under ridge-furrow relay intercropping system with flax.

Optimizing Fertilizer Management Practices in Summer Maize Fields in the Yellow River Basin

This study aims to examine the impact of combined irrigation and fertilizer control on the summer maize yield, nitrogen use efficiency (NE), and nitrogen leaching (NL) in the Yellow River Basin. Based on the measured data from the field summer maize experiment in 2021 and 2022, a water-nitrogen movement model was constructed for ‘Zhengdan 958’ maize under two irrigation methods (wide furrow irrigation (G) and border irrigation (Q)), three fertilizer rates (120 kg/ha (N1), 220 kg/ha (N2), and 320 kg/ha (N3)), and three fertilizer frequencies (1 (T1), 2 (T2), and 3 (T3)), yielding 18 total treatments. Calculation of nitrogen leaching was based on water nitrogen transport modeling. The study then analyzed the factors and their combined effects. A multi-objective optimization genetic algorithm (NSGA-II) was established to evaluate maize yield, nitrogen use efficiency, and nitrogen leaching. The results indicate that the determination coefficients between simulated and measured water, nitrogen values exceeded 0.74. The rate optimized HYDRUS model effectively simulated the soil solute movement. The interaction of the irrigation method, fertilizer rate, and fertilizer application frequency did not significantly affect yield and nitrogen leaching, but did significantly impact nitrogen use efficiency (p < 0.05). Nitrogen leaching increased gradually as nitrogen application increased. The yield under wide furrow irrigation was 6.26% higher than that under border irrigation. The optimal coupling scheme of water and fertilizer was obtained using the genetic algorithm multi-objective optimization method, where the combined GN2T2 treatment was the optimal management model, the summer maize yield reached 14,077 kg/ha, nitrogen use efficiency and nitrogen leaching were reduced to 30.21 kg·kg−1 and 17.64 kg/ha, respectively. These findings can guide summer maize cultivation in the Yellow River Basin and assist in reducing nitrogen surface source pollution.

Partitioning evapotranspiration using 18O abundance to understand water use efficiency in maize produced using ridge-furrow mulching system

The ridge-furrow mulching system (RFMS) is an efficient farming strategy that has been used widely for improving crop productivity in dryland agriculture. However, the physical mechanism that allows RFMS and its optimal ridge/furrow ratio to drive the efficient utilization of water in fields are unclear. Thus, we conducted a field research for two years with spring maize based on a long-term field experiment in a semiarid region of Northwestern China to quantify evaporation and transpiration, and their relationship with maize growth, yield and water use efficiency (WUE) under RFMS. Three planting patterns of ridge/furrow ratio were tested: (1) RF40, RFMS with 60 cm wide ridges and 40 cm wide furrows; (2) RF60, RFMS with 60 cm wide ridges and 60 cm wide furrows; (3) FP, traditional flat planting (control). Stable oxygen isotope (18O) analysis was used to partition the evapotranspiration (ET) into evaporation (E) and transpiration (T). The results showed that RFMS significantly increased the soil water content (SWC) in the early and late growing season, but not in the middle period (60–120 days after sowing, DAS) when dry matter accumulated rapidly and the highest transpiration occurred. RFMS significantly decreased the nonproductive evaporation, thereby increased the physiologically significant maize transpiration by 25.0–35.7% during the whole growing season. Therefore, the transpiration fraction of ET (T/ET) was 73% and 70% under RF40 and RF60 during the whole growing season, which were significantly higher than FP. Compared to FP, the maize yield and WUE increased significantly by 55.1% and 52.2% under RF40 and by 49.5% and 47.6% under RF60. We found RFMS drives optimization of ET fractions by increased transpiration but decreased evaporation and then improved WUE of maize, higher ridge/furrow ratio (RF40) create uneven line space and higher mulching area in the field, thus drives optimization of ET components and increased yield and WUE the most. Clarification of this physical mechanism improves our understanding of the optimization of maize production under RFMS, thereby helping to optimize the ridge/furrow ratio in semiarid regions.

Can soil organic carbon sequestration and the carbon management index be improved by changing the film mulching methods in the semiarid region?

Plastic film mulching has been widely used to increase maize yield in the semiarid area of China. However, whether long-term plastic film mulching is conducive to agricultural sustainability in this region remains controversial. A field experiment was initiated in 2013 with five different film mulching methods: (i) control method, flat planting without mulching (CK), (ii) flat planting with half film mulching (P), (iii) film mulching on ridges and planting in narrow furrows (S), (iv) full film mulching on double ridges (D), and (v) film mulching on ridges and planting in wide furrows (R). The effects on soil organic carbon (SOC) content, storage, and fractions, and on the carbon management index (CMI) were evaluated after nine consecutive years of plastic film mulching. The results showed that long-term plastic film mulching generally maintained the initial SOC level. Compared with no mulching, plastic film mulching increased the average crop yield, biomass yield, and root biomass by 48.38, 35.06, and 37.32%, respectively, which led to the improvement of SOC sequestration. Specifically, plastic film mulching significantly improved CMI, and increased the SOC content by 13.59%, SOC storage by 7.47% and easily oxidizable organic carbon (EOC) by 13.78% on average, but it reduced the other labile fractions. SOC sequestration and CMI were improved by refining the plastic film mulching methods. The S treatment had the best effect among the four mulching methods, so it can be used as a reasonable film mulching method for sustainable agricultural development in the semiarid area.

Аналіз конструктивних особливостей мініобприскувачів для невеликих фермерських господарств

The purpose of the study is to perform an analysis of the design characteristics and efficiency of various types of mini-sprayers in small areas of row crops and to form criteria by which a new self-propelled mini-sprayer with a rod stabilization system should be designed. An analysis of the efficiency of various types of mini-sprayers in small areas used for planting various crops in small farms was carried out. For the outlined areas of treatment of field crops (within 0.2 hectares), it was established that knapsack sprayers require a significant amount of physical labor of the operator: to move the mass of the sprayer with the working fluid, pumping with a manual pump (for the option without an electric pump), frequent refueling. In addition, manual movement of the rod cannot guarantee the uniformity of application of the working preparation over the entire area, especially with continuous application. For wheelbarrow sprayers, it is established that their mass is transferred to the chassis, but the operator must push it to move. If we talk about the inter-row of plants, then a furrow is formed in the loose soil, which greatly complicates the movement of such a sprayer. In addition, small ground clearance and unregulated furrow do not allow movement by inter-rows of row crops. In the option of using a hinged rod, it is difficult to maintain a constant speed of movement if the sprayer is moved manually. When using the mini energy tool, the same issues arise – a small clearance of the energy tool and the inability to adjust the furrow width. There is also no rod stabilization system. Hinged sprayers are more dependent on the parameters of the power supply chassis. Here, mainly, the same problems arise – limited adjustment of furrow width and fixed clearance, which narrows their use in certain phases of plant growth, when the ground clearance of the energy source is insufficient to avoid damaging plants during processing. In addition, the absence of a rod stabilization system can be seen. This leads to its oscillations, which are transmitted from the wheels of the energy store when moving by field irregularities, and this has an effect on the uniformity of the introduction of the operating solution and the resource of work. Regarding trailed mini-sprayers, it is possible to eliminate some of the described drawbacks in their designs, but their functionality is significantly limited by the parameters of the energy tools with which they are aggregated. To increase the efficiency of applying the operating solution to the treated areas, at least the simplest pendulum suspensions should be used to stabilize the rod. In order to improve the quality of application of the operating solution on the treated surfaces, universal use for processing various crops, including work in gardens, reducing the manual labor of the operator, etc., it is necessary to develop a self-propelled small-sized sprayer, analogues of which are not observed on the Ukrainian market. The following requirements are put forward to the developed design: self-moving (using an engine); the ability to change the furrow width using service mechanisms; have sufficient clearance or regulate it; the hinged rod must have a stabilization system and be adjustable in height of the installation; the pressure line must maintain a constant and controlled pressure of the operating solution; the developed model of a self-propelled sprayer should be affordable for the average agricultural producer in the subsistence farming. Taking into account these requirements and the implementation of the sprayer design in practice, we will get a highly efficient and competitive machine in the mini sprayer market.

Supplemental irrigation and modified plant density improved photosynthesis, grain yield and water productivity of winter wheat under ridge-furrow mulching

In the semi-arid and semi-humid areas, ridge-furrow planting with film mulch on the ridge (R) has been found to significantly enhance crop yields and water productivity, but the interaction effects of supplemental irrigation and plant density on the growth, photosynthesis, grain yield and water productivity (WP) of winter wheat under ridge-furrow mulching are still poorly understood. A two-season experiment (during October 2020 - June 2021 and October 2021 - June 2022) was undertaken on winter wheat in a semi-humid but drought-prone area in northwest China, with two cultivation patterns (R, with ridge width of 40 cm and furrow width of 60 cm; F: traditional flat planting), two supplemental irrigation amounts (I0: rainfed; I60: 60 mm of supplemental irrigation equally applied at the overwintering and regreening stages) and three plant densities (D1:240 × 104 plants ha−1; D2: 360 × 104 plants ha−1; D3: 480 × 104 plants ha−1; with row spacing of 20 cm). The results showed that cultivation pattern, supplemental irrigation and plant density had significant effects on soil water content, leaf area index (LAI), aboveground biomass, relative chlorophyll content (SPAD value), photosynthesis, chlorophyll fluorescence parameters and grain yield of winter wheat. In addition, the interaction effects of cultivation pattern, supplemental irrigation and plant density on SPAD value, fluorescence parameters, grain yield, evapotranspiration and WP were significant. Compared to F and I0, R and I60 significantly increased LAI (4.8 % and 4.6 %), aboveground biomass (9.3 % and 8.1 %), SPAD value (5.0 % and 6.4 %), net photosynthetic rate (19.8 % and 11.7 %), maximal PSII quantum yield (Fv/Fm) (5.2 % and 2.4 %), energy transformation potential activities of PSII (Fv/Fo) (4.1 % and 1.5 %), effective PSII quantum yield (ΦPSII) (12.2 % and 9.5 %), grain yield (10.4 % and 13.5 %) and WP (11.8 % and 7.7 %), while they reduced the relative energy excess at the PSII level. Increasing plant density generally improved LAI, aboveground biomass, but it reduced SPAD value, net photosynthetic rate and fluorescence parameters. Grain yield and WP reached their maximum values at D2 under R and at D3 under F, which was because R had a higher plant number (by 25 %) in each row at D3 compared to F due to the decreased row number resulting from the existence of 40-cm-wide ridge under R. The greatest grain yield (7383.5 kg ha−1 and 8577.4 kg ha−1) and WP (20.03 kg ha−1 mm−1 and 21.77 kg ha−1 mm−1) were obtained under RI60D2 during the two growing seasons. These results suggest that ridge-furrow mulching combined with supplemental irrigation and modified plant density of 360 × 104 plants ha−1 can produce high grain yield and WP for winter wheat in the semi-humid but drought-prone areas of northwest China.

Influence of rotation speed on abrasive wear behavior of the UHMWPE in lubrication environment

AbstractTo better understand the damage failure mechanism of ultra‐high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) in engineering application environments, a study was conducted to explore the effect of rotation speed on its abrasive wear performance in lubricant media containing abrasive particles, especially in comparison to the water. The wear mechanism was analyzed by friction coefficient and wear behavior. The results show that UHMWPE has excellent tribological properties in the water and is seriously worn in the abrasive environment. Under the condition of abrasive wear, there exists a critical rotation speed (360 r/min) leading to a shift in the wear mechanism of UHMWPE and obtaining the lowest wear rate of about 8.49 × 10−6 mm3/N•m. At below critical rotation speed, three‐body abrasive wear and adhesive wear mainly occur in UHMWPE; And at above critical rotation speed, the wear mechanism is mainly the plowing effect of particles on the material, and the furrow width can reach 40 μm. It is believed that this study can help to improve the understanding of the wear mechanism of UHMWPE, which can support the enhancement modification of the material and the application in complex environment.

Optimized Ridge–Furrow Ratio to Decrease Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Increase Winter Wheat Yield in Dry Semi-Humid Areas

The plastic-mulched ridge–furrow rainwater harvesting (RF) system has been widely adopted worldwide due to its visible economic benefits. However, few and inconclusive studies have focused on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In addition, it is still unknown whether different coverage ratios under RF have an impact on greenhouse gas emissions. Here, we evaluate the effects of various coverage ratios on the soil hydrothermal characteristics, global warming potential (GWP), greenhouse gas intensity (GHGI), and yield productivity in dry semi-humid areas. A control (FP, conventional flat planting without mulching) and three different ridge–furrow ratios (40:40 (RF40), 40:60 (RF60), and 40:80 (RF80)) were tested in 2017–2019. Compared with FP, RF increased the soil temperature and promoted soil moisture in the furrows during the vegetative growth period. However, the soil temperature of the furrows slightly increased with furrow width, whereas the soil moisture obviously decreased under the three RF practices. In a wet year (2017–2018), FP significantly increased the winter wheat yield (43.6%) compared with RF, while the opposite was the case in a normal year (2018–2019). Among the three RF treatments, RF40 and RF80 significantly increased the yield by 13.9% and 17.2%, respectively, compared with RF60. Compared with FP, all of the RF treatments increased the flux of N2O and CO2 emissions but reduced CH4 absorption. Compared with FP, RF with ridge–furrow ratios of 40:40 cm, 40:60 cm, and 40:80 cm increased the GWP by 99.6%, 53.4%, and 31.3%, respectively, and increased the GHGI by 55.8%, 45.3%, and 0.7%, respectively. Therefore, conventional flat planting in wet years and a ridge–furrow ratio of 40:71 cm in normal years can reduce GHG emissions, sustaining crop productivity, and promote the sustainable development of agriculture and the environment.

Effect of tool and operational parameters on soil disruption single point tractor operated cultivator shovels in sandy loam soil

Single point shovels type furrow openers are simple in design and because of their simple low-cost construction; they are widely used in cultivator for opening the soil. The study was conducted on the soil disruption by tractor operated cultivator type single point shovel to improve soil conditions in sandy loam soil using six types of single point shovels at operational speed (1.53 and 1.81 m/s ) and depth of operation of (0.10 and 0.12 m), respectively. Shovel S5 gave more spoil furrow width, spoil furrow depth, spoil area and trench area compared to the other single point shovels.

Regression analysis of ploughshare parameters for different depth sowing of seeds and fertilizers

The study reveals the disadvantages of technical units intended for sowing grain crops. Vectors of modernization of existing and the design of new working bodies of sowing equipment were identified. The arrangement and principle of ploughshare operation for different depth sowing of seeds and fertilizers is described. The results of the planned experiment are presented, the regression equations are obtained describing the process of changing the uniformity of seeds distribution along the length and width of the planted furrow. Based on regression equations, response surfaces, uniformity of seed distribution along the length and width of the planted furrow are built depending on the design parameters of a ploughshare. The experimental studies revealed that the uniformity of seed distribution (85.5 % in length and 76.3 % in width of the planted furrow) is achieved with the following ploughshare parameters: drift angle α=15 degrees; roll angle β=15 degrees; cutout length of a lower edge of a leg L=50 mm. With these design parameters, the proposed ploughshare provides a uniform depth of seeding-down and meets the corresponding agricultural requirements. At the same time, mineral fertilizers are embedded below the horizon of the main crop at 30…40 mm.

Relationship between Furrow Width and Excessive Vegetative Growth of Soybean in Ridge-Furrow Intercropping System

Relationship between Furrow Width and Excessive Vegetative Growth of Soybean in Ridge-Furrow Intercropping System