Mechanization in agriculture & Conserving of the resources
Vol. 61 (2015), Issue 8

Table of Contents

  • EVALUATION OF THE MAINTENANCE PRACTICES IN MECHANIZED AGRICULTURE – SADC REGION

    pg(s) 3-6

    The Southern Africa Development Community countries have embarked on mechanizing their agriculture. It is envisaged on the factual basis that it leads to increased labour productivity, reduction in drudgery, creation of employment in Agriculture and other support sectors and increase in farm income. Given that the SADC Governments’ rural development focus is based on Agriculture at both small and medium scale level, this research was undertaken to uncover research based information that will inform policy during the resurrection of the agricultural mechanization endeavours. This study assessed the maintenance practices in Namibian, South African and Zambian mechanized agriculture and used the Czech mechanized agriculture maintenance practices as a benchmark. Tribotechnical Analysis was used to monitor component structural changes based on the fact that wear deteriorates mating functional surfaces of machine elements leading to poor component functional that negatively impact on the environment and the non-cost effectiveness of mechanization in SADC primary agriculture. A fleet of Massey Fergusson and Zetor tractors were sampled at 100-ltr-diesel consumption interval. Oil total contaminants and Cleveland open cup flash point method was used to evaluate the condition of the lubricant while Direct Reading Ferrograph assessed the ratio share of Small wear particles (Ds), Large wear particles (DL) and the Total Wear Particle Concentration (WPC). Extreme value showing samples from the Direct Reading Ferrograph were further investigated using the Ferrograph Analyzer.
    Data were analyzed to generate a baseline based nomogram that is being used as a maintenance support tool. Upon recommendation of this study, Ferrography has been introduced as a cost effective proactive maintenance tool at the Tractor maintenance center in Zambia.

  • HIGH VOLTAGE ELECTROSTATIC FIELD (HVEF) ON THE EFFECTS OF SEED GERMINATION

    pg(s) 12-13

    Seed is an important organ in order to maintain the sustainability of the plant species and varieties. Ability of seed germination is important and preferred to be tough. And increasing the percentage of germination as well as the effect of environmental conditions in different applications extend the endurance time the effect is concerned. One is a high voltage electrostatic field application. Successful results in terms of the extension of the duration and strength as well as the germination percentage were obtained with this application. It is also an alternative protection against malicious applications using substances of this embodiment may be also considered. Studies in this context have been found to be mostly positive results. What this study, the next step is to compile the work done on the effects of high voltage electrostatic field germination applications developed recommendations are made.

  • THE EFFECT OF EXCESSIVE MAGNESIUM NUTRITION ON GROWING OF HYDROPONIC LETTUCE (LACTUCA SATIVA CONVAR. CAPITATA L.)

    pg(s) 14-17

    The use of modern technology on hydroponic lettuce (Lactuca sativa convar. capitata L.) enables the cultivation throughout the year. The plant is a significant vegetable, rich in vitamins. The lettuce grown without soil may have several favourable properties such as faster growth, higher yields, balanced growth, well-automated, environmentally friendly technology and does not requite significant manual labour. The experiments of hydroponic cultivation were carried out in the greenhouse of Kecskemét College, Faculty of Horticulture (Hungary). The plants were placed into stone wool, where the submersible pump provided proper moisture and nutrients to the roots. In the course of our experiments Mg(NO3)2 treatments were used (50-, 100-, 150-, 200-, and 250 mg/L). The highest biomass weight was measured in the control group, while the lowest biomass was measured after the 250 mg/L Mg(NO3)2 treatment. Increasing magnesium content depressed the growing of lettuce and antagonism with potassium and calcium was supposed as well. The average height of lettuce head reached 20 cm.

  • FERTILIZER PLANTERS FOR RESOURCE-SAVING CULTIVATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE CONDITIONS OF NORTHERN KAZAKHSTAN

    pg(s) 18-19

    This paper presents the development of fertilizers drills for resource-saving technologies aimed at modernization (simplification) in general device, increasing the safety factor implementation process and to improve the performance of seeders, minimal disruption of the soil structure to ensure the quality of sowing on moist soils, providing high cross at sowing after cereal backgrounds, with a spacing of 15 cm.