Research in Agricultural Engineering, 2023 (vol. 69), issue 4
Mathematical modeling of drying parameters of moringa oleifera leaves in a cabinet dryeOriginal Paper
Timothy Adekanye, Abiodun Okunola, Olumuyiwa Moses, Endurance Idahosa, Yisa Boye, Aminu Saleh
Res. Agr. Eng., 2023, 69(4):159-166 | DOI: 10.17221/72/2022-RAE 
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...
Development and evaluation of an electromagnetic device to improve the physiological properties of some crop seedsOriginal Paper
Ahmed Shawky El-Sayed
Res. Agr. Eng., 2023, 69(4):167-178 | DOI: 10.17221/108/2022-RAE
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...
Operating performance of manual, semi-automatic, and automatic tractor guidance systems for precision farmingOriginal Paper
Paola D'Antonio, Andi Mehmeti, Francesco Toscano, Costanza Fiorentino
Res. Agr. Eng., 2023, 69(4):179-188 | DOI: 10.17221/5/2023-RAE
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...
Determination of sorghum production energy input-output balance under farmers' practices in the Hararghe lowland areas of Ethiopia.Original Paper
Birhanu Gurracho, Yetenayet Tola, Abebe Badie, Solomon Habtegabriel, Sirawdink Forsido
Res. Agr. Eng., 2023, 69(4):189-198 | DOI: 10.17221/11/2023-RAE
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...
Utilisation of rheological models for describing the mechanical behaviour of oil palm empty fruit bunches under compression loadingOriginal Paper
Tomá¹ Saller, David Herák
Res. Agr. Eng., 2023, 69(4):199-205 | DOI: 10.17221/17/2023-RAE
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...
Development of microclimate in the New Holland T6.165 tractorOriginal Paper
Jan Hart, Veronika Hartová
Res. Agr. Eng., 2023, 69(4):206-210 | DOI: 10.17221/27/2023-RAE
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...