Mechanization in agriculture & Conserving of the resources
Vol. 68 (2024), Issue 2

Table of Contents

  • MECHANIZATION IN AGRICULTURE

    • Study of the technological process of operation of transplanting machines

      pg(s) 30-32

      The article proposes a classification based on the method of movement of the working parts of the planting apparatus, which identifies three groups of transplanting machines: with the movement of the working parts in a vertical plane, a horizontal plane, and a combined method. The speed of planting seedlings depends on the following main factors: the frequency m of seedling supply, the planting step l, the design of the planting apparatus with seedling holders, the condition of the planting material, as well as the experience and skill of the planting operators. Feeding seedlings into seedling holders or cups of the planting apparatus is limited by the physical capabilities of a person, namely the number of seedlings fed per minute or frequency m. Thus, in order to increase the speed Vm of seedling planting, it is necessary to increase the frequency m of seedling supply. The speed of planting seedlings into cups or seedling holders (the frequency m) actually determines the maximum operating speed of the transplanting machine.
      The study of the technological process of operation of a transplanting machine, as well as a phase analysis of the working process of a carousel-type transplanting machine, makes it possible to better understand ways to improve the design of the machine and its working parts and will make it possible to obtain important decisions on increasing the speed. As a result of a theoretical study of the technological process of a carousel-type transplanting machine, a relationship was obtained between various factors on which the maximum operating speed of planting seedlings depends.

    • Research and restoration of rural areas of active and passive working bodies using Georgian raw material (gumboil)

      pg(s) 33-35

      The paper studies the process of restoration of worn-out parts of agricultural machinery under submerged arc welding, produces definable and determining similarity criteria characterizing the process and discloses their physical entity. The methodology is developed and the criterion equation is received for determining and optimizing the hardness of metal coatings obtained, which is a scientific basis for conducting targeted experiments. An outfit is made for surfacing ploughshares submerged, that allows changing the basic factors without stepwise method. Experimental studies are conducted, as a result of which an analytic form of criteria equation is produced and optimum modes of the recovery of details under gumboil arc welding are established mined in Georgia.

    • Evaluation of the work quality of seeding techniques in soil protection technologies of soil tillage

      pg(s) 36-38

      In our conditions, corn is the most cultivated crop, because it is used mainly as feed for cattle. However, germination as well as the amount of maize produced is influenced by a number of factors, in which it is necessary to focus on achieving uniform emergence, sowing within the optimal time period, achieving the right density and achieving an even distance between plants. The choice of sowing technique has a great influence on the formation of the future harvest, since sowing is one of the most important work operations, usually with an irreversible condition. In this paper, we focused on the comparison of Horsch seeder in different working conditions

    • Influence of the working elements of the digging unit of a carrot harvester on soil deformation

      pg(s) 39-41

      This publication presents an analysis of the operation of an active undermining assembly in the form of two symmetrical, oscillating feet, designed for machine harvesting of carrots. The use of the proposed assembly makes it possible to effectively loosen the soil layers close to the carrot roots, which significantly reduces the force required to pull the roots out of the soil.

    • Reducing the risk of heat stress for livestock development in Kazakhstan

      pg(s) 42-45

      The last three decades in Kazakhstan turned out to be the warmest in the history of meteorological observations, and led to an increase in the average annual temperature by 1.91 °C. Global warming has become a serious risk for the intensive development of animal husbandry in the country. To reduce the stressful effects of abnormal heat and cool animals, a number of domestic farmers use shadow screens, various forms of forced convection and evaporative cooling, which include fans and sprayers, sprinklers. However, these measures do not give the desired result: they are energy-intensive, inefficient and do not form a normalized microclimate in livestock premises. The article describes the formation of a normalized microclimate for keeping cattle in the summer in the southern, southeastern and western regions of Kazakhstan.

    • Investigation of the cooling system in the poultry house using cfd

      pg(s) 46-48

      A new method of cooling the outside air in ventilation systems of poultry houses is proposed, based on the use of water from underground wells and heat exchangers of recuperators for cooling the supply air.
      Numerical modeling of aerodynamics and heat transfer processes in poultry houses at tunnel ventilation system was performed. As a result of numerous calculations the distribution of temperatures, velocities and pressures in the air environment of a poultry house has been obtained. The use of heat exchangers for cooling the supply air allows to maintain its temperature at the level of +20-25 ℃ and to reduce the indicators of moisture content in poultry houses, which are high when using cassette methods or water spraying with nozzles for cooling the supply air.
      As a result of the numerous studies conducted, it is recommended to increase the air flow rate by including a third exhaust fan located on the top line of the end rear wall. This will allow for a more uniform temperature distribution in the house.

    • Pilot Project for an Integrated Complex for clean soil-based production, harvest and delivery (logistic operations) of Iceberg lettuce

      pg(s) 49-51

      In order to address multiple UN Sustainable Development Goals, we aim to revolutionize iceberg lettuce harvesting with intelligent robots. Our team, comprised of agricultural producers and engineers, has utilized TRIZ methodology, brainstorming, and other techniques to develop an agricultural technology solution: an Integrated Complex that automates harvesting and loading of produce onto transportation vehicles. Our design leverages state-of-the-art deep computer vision – a form of AI that analyzes camera images – to precisely locate mature lettuce heads. The robot identifies optimal grasping points for harvesting and carefully places the heads in a designated transport area. With deep learning at its core, our robots will optimize yield, reduce waste and costs, ushering in a new era of intelligent agriculture.

    • Influence of different rates of irrigation and fertilization on the quality indicators of the fruits of three genotypes of greenhouse tomatoes

      pg(s) 52-55

      To establish the influence of different irrigation and fertilization rates on the quality indicators of the fruit of three specific genotypes of tomatoes- Maldo, Pink Rock, and Hayet- in 2022, experiments were conducted in the experimental field of Maritza Vegetable Crop Research Institute – Plovdiv in an unheated steel and glass greenhouse type Venlo. The experiment was conducted under three irrigation regimes – optimal, reduced, and increased irrigation – 100%, 75%, and 125% using water-saving irrigation technologies and three fertilization regimes – optimal, reduced, and increased fertilization – 100%, 75%, and 150%.
      It was found that reducing the water content resulted in a slight increase in dry matter, total soluble solids (TSS), and vitamin C content while varying the fertilizer rate did not significantly change the studied characteristics. Tomato fruit quality was more affected by irrigation than by fertilizer levels. Titratable acidity and pH differed between cultivars but not between treatments applied. The highest dry matter, TSS, and vitamin C contents were observed in the treatments with low irrigation rates and optimal fertilization (75%W and 100%F). Strong positive correlations were found between dry matter, TSS and vitamin C, while a strong negative correlation was found between fruit firmness and dry matter, TSS and vitamin C.
      The factor Genotype had the strongest effect on the tomato fruit quality parameters studied, with a weaker but proven effect of the individual factors irrigation rate and fertilization rate on dry matter, soluble solids content, and vitamin C. The highest fruit quality was found in Pink Rock, followed by Maldo. The variety with the lowest values for most of the quality indicators is Hayet.

    • Correction of the inter-repair period of aggregates /nodes / of the machines

      pg(s) 56-57

      The stages of the life cycle of complex technical products, such as tractors and self-propelled agricultural machinery, are examined. The need to correct /extend/ the period between repairs of individual aggregates and nodes is justified.
      For this purpose, a corrective expression was derived for determining the economically expedient extension of the between-repair period of the machine elements, which takes into account the economic effect of extending the repair period, the relative share of the costs of purchasing replacement units and the set value of the confidence probability of the resource of the aggregates.

  • CONSERVING OF THE RESOURCES

    • The impact of education on the utilization and comprehension of chemical fertilizers and pesticides in relation to the environment. A case study in the ohrid lake catchment area

      pg(s) 61-65

      Farmers use commercially available chemical fertilizers and pesticides to increase crop yields, though this can potentially harm their health and the environment. This research aims to scrutinize the correlation between farmers’ educational attainment and their awareness of the ecological ramifications associated with using these chemical inputs. Structured interviews with farmers from seven villages along the shores of Lake Ohrid in Albania provided empirical data to elucidate the relationship between farmers’ educational backgrounds and their propensity to use environmentally harmful chemicals. This premise constitutes the central hypothesis underpinning the study. Employing rigorous non-parametric statistical methodologies, the amassed data underwent comprehensive analysis. The findings reveal a substantive association between farmers’ educational levels and their utilization patterns of chemical agents within agricultural contexts, thus accentuating the imperative for educational interventions and broader policy measures.

    • Beginning of agricultural machinery and equipment testing in ukraine – facts and historical events

      pg(s) 66-67

      The introduction of a testing system for agricultural machinery and implements, from the very beginning of the emergence of this research and production industry, is possible only with the establishment of a machine testing station, which reproduces the full cycle of crop cultivation. To do this, it is necessary to have appropriate land plots where crops are grown and subsequently tested, appropriate management personnel (agronomist and ordinary workers) and traction vehicles, i.e. horses. It is mandatory to have measuring instruments and various measuring equipment that can be used by scientists, testers and engineers during the tests. They should carry out preparatory work on the adaptation, adjustment, calibration and use of these devices. The next necessary condition is also the methodology for conducting the tests and processing the results of these measurements. The first testing station for agricultural machinery and implements in Ukraine that met these requirements was founded, established and began to operate successfully in Kharkiv, namely at the Kharkiv Practical Technological Institute in 1889.