Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Timothy Adekanye Author-Workplace-Name: Landmark University SDG 1 (No Poverty Research Group), Omu-Aran, Kwara State, Nigeria Author-Name: Abiodun Okunola Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, College of Engineering, Landmark University, Omu-Aran, Kwara State, Nigeria Author-Workplace-Name: Landmark University SDG 2 (Zero Hunger Research Group), Omu-Aran, Kwara State, Nigeria Author-Name: Olumuyiwa Moses Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, College of Engineering, Landmark University, Omu-Aran, Kwara State, Nigeria Author-Workplace-Name: Landmark University SDG 2 (Zero Hunger Research Group), Omu-Aran, Kwara State, Nigeria Author-Name: Endurance Idahosa Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, College of Engineering, Landmark University, Omu-Aran, Kwara State, Nigeria Author-Name: Yisa Boye Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, College of Engineering, Landmark University, Omu-Aran, Kwara State, Nigeria Author-Name: Aminu Saleh Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Agricultural and Bio-Resources Engineering, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria Title: Mathematical modeling of drying parameters of moringa oleifera leaves in a cabinet drye Abstract: This study focused on drying moringa leaves using a cabinet dryer. The impact of the 40, 50, and 60 °C drying air temperatures on the moisture content of the leaves at a constant air velocity with variation in weight (40, 80, and 120 g) was considered. Ten drying models were fitted to the drying data to describe the drying parameters of moringa leaves. The best model was chosen based on the highest coefficient of determination (R2), and the lowest sum of square error (SSE) and root mean square error (RMSE) values. The Henderson and Pabis model best described the drying characteristics of the moringa leaves having the highest R2 (0.9888) and lowest SSE (0.0401) and RMSE (0.0604). The effective moisture diffusivity increased with the temperatures ranging from 8.72 × 10-9 to 1.40 × 10-8 m2.s-1. The activation energy ranged from 90.4636, 40.4884, and 22.7466 KJ.mol-1 for 40, 80, and 120 g, respectively. Keywords: agriculture, coefficient of determination, drying temperature, moisture diffusivity, thin layer drying Journal: Research in Agricultural Engineering Pages: 159-166 Volume: 69 Issue: 4 Year: 2023 DOI: 10.17221/72/2022-RAE File-URL: http://rae.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/72/2022-RAE.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/rae-202304-0001.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlrae:v:69:y:2023:i:4:id:72-2022-RAE Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Ahmed Shawky El-Sayed Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Agricultural Bioengineering Systems, Agricultural Engineering Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center, Giza, Egypt Title: Development and evaluation of an electromagnetic device to improve the physiological properties of some crop seeds Abstract: This research aims to develop an eco-friendly technique for treating seeds before sowing and improving their physiological features. The developed technique depends on utilizing synchronized electro-magnetization and microwave radiation. An electromagnetic device was evaluated to provide multiple treatment ranges. The treatments are regulated electronically according to the seeds' physiological properties and storage duration. The device was designed to accommodate small and medium seeds for a variety of strategic crops, including wheat, barley, etc. Three different treated wheat varieties were tested and compared to the control. Also, eight different levels of synchronized electro-magnetization and microwave radiation were tested. The treated wheat seeds' vegetative properties, such as germination percentage, germination rate index, germination speed coefficient, and vigour indexes, were highly significant compared to the control. The treated wheat seeds' physiological properties were highly significant. The device productivity ranged from 0.023 to 0.059 Mg.h-1 with minimum energy consumption rates of 0.396 to 0.018 kWh.Mg-1, while the operating costs decreased to 11.53-44.13 USD.Mg-1. Keywords: chlorophyll, frequency, radiation, sowing, vigour, wheat Journal: Research in Agricultural Engineering Pages: 167-178 Volume: 69 Issue: 4 Year: 2023 DOI: 10.17221/108/2022-RAE File-URL: http://rae.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/108/2022-RAE.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/rae-202304-0002.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlrae:v:69:y:2023:i:4:id:108-2022-RAE Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Birhanu Gurracho Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Agricultural engineering, Fadis Research Center, Oromia Agricultural Research Institute, Harar, Ethiopia Author-Name: Yetenayet Tola Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Postharvest Management, Jimma University College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Jimma, Ethiopia Author-Name: Abebe Badie Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Agricultural Engineering, Institute of Technology, Haramaya University, Haramaya, Ethiopia Author-Name: Solomon Habtegabriel Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Postharvest Technology, Institute of Technology, Haramaya University, Haramaya, Ethiopia Author-Name: Sirawdink Forsido Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Postharvest Management, Jimma University College of Agriculture & Veterinary Medicine, Jimma, Ethiopia Title: Determination of sorghum production energy input-output balance under farmers' practices in the Hararghe lowland areas of Ethiopia. Abstract: Sorghum production energy input-output balance was studied during the 2020/2021 production year in Hararghe lowland areas of Ethiopia under farming methods practised by the farmers. The study aimed to assess the energy input and output and to analyse the energy use efficiency of sorghum production under farming practices of the farmers using the recently adopted early maturing varieties. Three sorghum varieties were used with Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) in 3 replications. Production inputs were uniformly applied to the entire unit plots. The average total production energy input was 12 188.07 MJ.ha-1 in which chemical fertiliser and mechanical energy contributed 47.40% (5 771.48 MJ.ha-1) and 43.60% (5 314.10 MJ.ha-1), respectively. The highest energy consumer stage was top-dressing followed by land preparation and sowing stages with values of 33.7, 25.20 and 20.20% of the total input, respectively. The remaining 20.90% of the input was distributed among the rest production operations. The mean energy output of 77 284.59 MJ.ha-1 for Makko was significantly higher than that of Qaqaba and Malkam varieties. Makko was also superior to Malkam and Qaqaba in mean energy ratio with values of 6.31, 5.48 and 5.84, respectively. Keywords: early maturing, energetic depreciation, energy efficiency, energy productivity, sorghum varieties  Journal: Research in Agricultural Engineering Pages: 189-198 Volume: 69 Issue: 4 Year: 2023 DOI: 10.17221/11/2023-RAE File-URL: http://rae.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/11/2023-RAE.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/rae-202304-0003.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlrae:v:69:y:2023:i:4:id:11-2023-RAE Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Tomáš Saller Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague Author-Name: David Herák Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague Title: Utilisation of rheological models for describing the mechanical behaviour of oil palm empty fruit bunches under compression loading Abstract: This study uses rheological models to describe the mechanical behaviour of oil palm empty fruit bunches (EFB) under compression loading. The oil palm empty fruit bunches were obtained from North Sumatra, Indonesia. The rheological models for different fraction sizes of the mechanical behaviour under compression loading were developed based on a mathematical concept involving spring and dashpot components. The dependencies between fraction size, viscosity, and modulus elasticity were determined and mathematically described for each branch of the rheological model. The general rheological model was developed based on the defined dependencies, considering the deformation and fraction sizes. The determined rheological models and their components could be used as a fundamental building block of digital twins of oil palm empty fruit bunches, and they could be used to optimise the compressing technology and increase the efficiency of the entire pressing process. Keywords: dashpot, deformation, force, fraction, Newton's laws, Hooke's law, spring, viscoelasticity Journal: Research in Agricultural Engineering Pages: 199-205 Volume: 69 Issue: 4 Year: 2023 DOI: 10.17221/17/2023-RAE File-URL: http://rae.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/17/2023-RAE.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/rae-202304-0004.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlrae:v:69:y:2023:i:4:id:17-2023-RAE Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Jan Hart Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Engineering, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague Author-Name: Veronika Hartová Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Engineering, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague Title: Development of microclimate in the New Holland T6.165 tractor Abstract: A number of stimuli lead to what is termed "seasonal fatigue", where the only firm interconnection is the fact that this form of fatigue only occurs during a certain period of the season. The interior of the cabin and its effect on the machine operator is notable. The microclimate of the environment in which the operator works has a direct impact on his/her condition and, consequentially, the extent of his/her fatigue. The development of microclimate in a modern agricultural machine must be identified, and based on such findings, recommendation should be given regarding procedures for improving the current situation in agricultural technology. For testing, the New Holland T6.165 tractor was therefore selected. The individual measurements show that a certain drop of oxygen occurs in the cabin during the first half hour of driving. This leads to  an increase in CO2, which is in turn caused by the higher ventilation of the given individuals present in the vehicle. To eliminate said drops in O2, the use of oxygen concentrators may be recommended. Keywords: agriculture machinery, carbon dioxide, operator, oxygen, seasonal fatigue Journal: Research in Agricultural Engineering Pages: 206-210 Volume: 69 Issue: 4 Year: 2023 DOI: 10.17221/27/2023-RAE File-URL: http://rae.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/27/2023-RAE.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/rae-202304-0005.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlrae:v:69:y:2023:i:4:id:27-2023-RAE Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Paola D'Antonio Author-Workplace-Name: School of Agricultural, Forestry and Environmental Sciences, University of Basilicata, Italy Author-Name: Andi Mehmeti Author-Workplace-Name: School of Agricultural, Forestry and Environmental Sciences, University of Basilicata, Italy Author-Workplace-Name: Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Bari, Valenzano, Italy Author-Name: Francesco Toscano Author-Workplace-Name: School of Agricultural, Forestry and Environmental Sciences, University of Basilicata, Italy Author-Name: Costanza Fiorentino Author-Workplace-Name: School of Agricultural, Forestry and Environmental Sciences, University of Basilicata, Italy Title: Operating performance of manual, semi-automatic, and automatic tractor guidance systems for precision farming Abstract: Precision agriculture is increasingly relying on tractor auto-steer systems to boost productivity and optimize crop inputs. Identifying field variations and performance, on the other hand, is necessary for giving site-specific recommendations. This study reports the field operating performance indicators of manual (MG), semi-automatic (SG), and automatic (AG) tractor guidance for weed control in wheat production in Southern Italy. Performance indicators include effective worked area, overall working time, effective field capacity, field efficiency, fuel consumption, and product usage. The SG tractor guidance working times were similar to the MG, but with significant savings in the herbicide spray solution and work quality. In terms of all parameters examined, the AG outperformed the SG and MG. The AG was 54% faster than the MG, resulting in an increased area worked and effective field capacity of 5 and 46%, respectively. The total time (effective time plus non-productive time) was reduced by 28%, while overlapped areas by 88.9%. Herbicide and fuel input was reduced by 30 and 11.5%, respectively. A streamlined environmental analysis indicated that AG could reduce the energy and carbon intensity of the one-time weed control process by 25 and 27% for each hectare. Our results confirm that auto guidance provides numerous benefits (e.g., machining uniformity, increased work quality, reduced resource use, and reduced environmental burdens), supporting the larger goal of agricultural production sustainability. Keywords: automated guidance system, smart agriculture, self-steering tractors, variable rate technology Journal: Research in Agricultural Engineering Pages: 179-188 Volume: 69 Issue: 4 Year: 2023 DOI: 10.17221/5/2023-RAE File-URL: http://rae.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/5/2023-RAE.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/rae-202304-0006.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlrae:v:69:y:2023:i:4:id:5-2023-RAE