scholarly journals Robotic Mowing of Tall Fescue at 90 mm Cutting Height: Random Trajectories vs. Systematic Trajectories

Agronomy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 2567
Author(s):  
Mino Sportelli ◽  
Marco Fontanelli ◽  
Michel Pirchio ◽  
Christian Frasconi ◽  
Michele Raffaelli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Navigation Systems ◽  
Tall Grass ◽  
Turf Quality ◽  
Schedonorus Arundinaceus ◽  
The One ◽  
Cutting Height ◽  
Working Efficiency

Tall fescue (Schedonorus arundinaceus (Schreb.) Dumort.) is often managed with a cutting height ranging from 70 to 100 mm in ornamental lawns. Some autonomous mowers have been specifically designed to maintain mowing height in the same range. Generally, autonomous mowers operate by following random trajectories, and substantial overlapping is needed to obtain full coverage of the working area. In the case of tall grass, this may cause lodging of grass plants, which in turn may reduce turf quality. The introduction of a navigation system based on systematic trajectories has the potential to improve the performances of autonomous mowers with respect to machine efficiency and turf quality. With the aim of determining the effects of reduced mowing frequency and systematic navigation systems on turf quality and mower performances in terms of working time, energy consumption and overlapping, the performances of two autonomous mowers working with random and systematic trajectories were tested on a mature tall fescue lawn at 90 mm cutting height. The working efficiency was approximately 80% for the systematic trajectories and approximately 35% for the random trajectories; this was mainly due to the lower overlapping associated with systematic trajectories. Turf quality was slightly higher for the mower working systematically (a score of 8 using a 1–9 score with 1 = poor, 6 = acceptable and 9 = best) compared to the one working randomly (quality of 7 and 6 on a 1–9 scale with 1 = poor and 9 = best). No appreciable lodging was observed in either case. For tall, managed lawns, systematic trajectories may improve autonomous mowers’ overall performances.

Species Succession and Turf Quality of Tall Fescue and Kentucky Bluegrass Mixtures as Affected By Mowing Height

Crop Science ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 54 (3) ◽  
pp. 1220-1226 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefano Macolino ◽  
Guido Pignata ◽  
Maurizio Giolo ◽  
Michael D. Richardson
Keyword(s):  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Kentucky Bluegrass ◽  
Species Succession ◽  
Turf Quality

scholarly journals Physiological Response to Water Deficit Stress with Restricted Rooting in Tall Fescue and Zoysiagrass

2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-36
Author(s):  
Travis Culpepper ◽  
Joseph Young ◽  
David T. Montague ◽  
Manish Sapkota ◽  
Eduardo Escamilla ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Festuca Arundinacea ◽  
Physiological Response ◽  
Water Deficit Stress ◽  
Zoysia Japonica ◽  
Gross Photosynthesis ◽  
Zoysia Matrella ◽  
Turf Quality ◽  
Green Cover ◽  
Schedonorus Arundinaceus

Abstract Urban soils may restrict turfgrass rooting depth with shallow soil layers in high sand content soils, which may influence water conservation. A greenhouse study sought to quantify water usage and determine the physiological response of turfgrasses at four irrigation levels. ‘ATF-1434′ tall fescue (Schedonorus arundinaceus (Schreb.) Dumort. nom. cons.; syn. Festuca arundinacea Schreb.), ‘Jamur' Japanese lawngrass (Zoysia japonica Steud.), and ‘Zeon' Manilagrass [Zoysia matrella (L.) Merr.] were established in 10 cm (4 in) diameter by 17.8 cm (7 in) tall containers. Each species was irrigated with 16.5, 21.9, 27.3, or 32.7 mm.wk−1 (0.65, 0.86, 1.1, or 1.3 in.wk−1). Gravimetric water loss was determined by pre- and post-irrigation pot weights. Turf quality, leaf discoloration, percent green cover, and gross photosynthesis were evaluated weekly and root parameters were measured at the conclusion of each trial. Although root mass was similar among species, water deficit stress and leaf discoloration occurred sooner in tall fescue than the two Zoysia species, reducing turf quality and green cover. Japanese lawngrass and Manilagrass had greater stomatal conductance, resulting in 109 and 89% higher gross photosynthesis relative to tall fescue. Both zoysiagrasses maintained acceptable turf quality with 27.3 mm water.wk−1. However, tall fescue quality was not acceptable at any irrigation level. Index words: Photosynthesis, gravimetric water loss, tall fescue, Japanese lawngrass, Manilagrass. Species used in this study: Tall fescue (Schedonorus arundinaceus (Schreb.) Dumort. nom. cons.; syn. Festuca arundinacea Schreb.); Japanese lawngrass (Zoysia japonica Steud.); Manilagrass [Zoysia matrella (L.) Merr.].

scholarly journals Field Test Analysis of Straw Reaper Combine for Optimized Operating Condition to Improve the Performance

2020 ◽  
pp. 77-86
Author(s):  
Shukla Prabhakar ◽  
Nandi Subhasis ◽  
Shau Parmanand ◽  
Patel Anurag ◽  
Tripathi Himanshu
Keyword(s):  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Specific Energy Consumption ◽  
Field Capacity ◽  
Ex Situ ◽  
Forward Speed ◽  
Performance Parameters ◽  
Straw Management ◽  
Actual Field ◽  
Cutting Height

The profitability of ex-situ straw management largely depends on the quantity and quality of straw recovered from the field. The straw reaper-combine is one of the widely used ex-situ straw management technologies being used to retrieve the leftover residue in the field after grain combine operation. Besides considering the positive implication of this technology in recent times, the quality of operation, which accounts for maximizing the performance parameters of straw reaper-combine in a wheat crop. The relationship among these parameters was established using multiple linear regression techniques through the regression equation. The ANOVA test of this experiment also established the significant (P<0.01) effect of forwarding speed and cutting height on all performance parameters. It was observed from the experiment that when the forward speed was increased while keeping the cutting height at a constant level the recovery percentage and specific energy consumption were decreased whereas, straw split percentage and actual field capacity were increased. Likewise, when cutting height was increased keeping the forward speed at a constant level the recovery and split percentage were reduced but, the actual field capacity and specific energy consumption were increased. In order to achieve maximum performance at optimum energy consumption, the straw reaper should be operated at a speed between 3-4 km/h with cutting height between 30-60 mm.

Sequential Applications of Preemergence and Postemergence Herbicides for Large Crabgrass (Digitaria sanguinalis) Control in Tall Fescue (Festuca arundinacea) Turf

1997 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 693-697 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Jack Johnson
Keyword(s):  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Festuca Arundinacea ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Digitaria Sanguinalis ◽  
Turf Quality ◽  
Turfgrass Quality ◽  
Postemergence Herbicides ◽  
Herbicide Programs ◽  
Large Crabgrass

Preemergence (PRE) and postemergence (POST) herbicides were sequentially applied to tall fescue over a 2-yr period to determine the lowest herbicide rates needed for acceptable large crabgrass control. Prodiamine was the only PRE herbicide that provided full-season large crabgrass control in tall fescue turf. The control was 85% in plots treated at one-third recommended rate (0.3 kg/ha) and 96% at the full rate (0.8 kg/ha). Sequential applications of oxadiazon at one-third recommended rate (1.1 kg/ha) in late February followed by fenoxaprop (0.2 kg/ha) in June controlled 85% large crabgrass in late August. Control was similar in mid-August when pendimethalin, dithiopyr, or oryzalin at one-third recommended rates was followed by fenoxaprop, but was not acceptable (≤ 74%) by late August. In most instances, large crabgrass control was higher when fenoxaprop followed the PRE herbicide application than with MSMA. Reduced herbicide rates may not provide full-season large crabgrass control in other areas with different soil and weather conditions. Tall fescue quality was not affected by prodiamine, dithiopyr, and oxadiazon. In 1996, pendimethalin at 3.3 kg/ha reduced turf quality 16% and oryzalin at 2.2 kg/ha reduced quality by 46%. In 1995, MSMA reduced the quality of tall fescue more (≤ 21%) than fenoxaprop (≤ 10%). When compared to the use of PRE and POST herbicides alone, sequential PRE plus POST herbicide programs did not affect turfgrass quality.

scholarly journals Autonomous Mower Saves Energy and Improves Quality of Tall Fescue Lawn

2016 ◽  
Vol 26 (6) ◽  
pp. 825-830 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicola Grossi ◽  
Marco Fontanelli ◽  
Elisa Garramone ◽  
Andrea Peruzzi ◽  
Michele Raffaelli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Festuca Arundinacea ◽  
Disease Incidence ◽  
Working Time ◽  
Leaf Width ◽  
Promising Alternative ◽  
Turf Quality ◽  
Quality Aspects ◽  
N Rates

Battery-powered autonomous mowers are designed to reduce the need of labor for lawn mowing compared with traditional endothermic engine mowers and at the same time to abate local emissions and noise. The aim of this research was to compare autonomous mower with traditional rotary mower on a tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) lawn under different nitrogen (N) rates. A two-way factor experimental design with three replications was adopted. In the study, four N rates (0, 50, 100, and 150 kg·ha−1) and two mowing systems (autonomous mower vs. gasoline-powered walk-behind rotary mower equipped for mulching) were used. As expected, N fertilization increased turf quality. At the end of the trial, the autonomous mower increased turf density (3.2 shoots/cm2) compared with the rotary mower (2.1 shoots/cm2) and decreased average leaf width (2.1 mm) compared with the rotary mower (2.7 mm). Increased density and decreased leaf width with autonomous mowing yielded higher quality turf (7.3) compared with the rotary mower (6.4) and a lower weed incidence (6% and 9% cover for autonomous mower and rotary mower, respectively). Disease incidence and mowing quality were unaffected by the mowing system. The autonomous mower working time was set to 10 hours per day (≈7.8 hours for mowing and 2.2 hours for recharging) for a surface of 1296 m2. The traditional rotary mower working time for the same surface was 1.02 hours per week. The estimated primary energy consumption for autonomous mower was about 4.80 kWh/week compared with 12.60 kWh/week for gasoline-powered rotary mowing. Based on turf quality aspects and energy consumption, the use of autonomous mowers could be a promising alternative to traditional mowers.

scholarly journals Autonomous Rotary Mower versus Ordinary Reel Mower—Effects of Cutting Height and Nitrogen Rate on Manila Grass Turf Quality

2018 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 509-515 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michel Pirchio ◽  
Marco Fontanelli ◽  
Christian Frasconi ◽  
Luisa Martelloni ◽  
Michele Raffaelli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Warm Season ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Nitrogen Rate ◽  
Zoysia Matrella ◽  
Turf Quality ◽  
Factor C ◽  
Cutting Height ◽  
Nitrogen Rates ◽  
Grass Turf

High-quality sports turfs often require low mowing and frequent maintenance. Sports turfs often consist of hard-to-mow warm season turfgrasses, such as zoysiagrass (Zoysia sp.) or bermudagrass (Cynodon sp.). Although autonomous mowers have several advantages over manually operated mowers, they are not designed to mow lower than 2.0 cm and are consequently not used on high-quality sports turfs. All autonomous mowers are only equipped with rotary mowing devices and do not perform clipping removal. An ordinary autonomous mower was modified to obtain a prototype autonomous mower cutting at a low height. The prototype autonomous mower was tested on a manila grass (Zoysia matrella) turf and compared its performance in terms of turf quality and energy consumption with an ordinary autonomous mower and with a gasoline reel mower. A three-way factor experimental design with three replications was adopted. Factor A consisted of four nitrogen rates (0, 50, 100, and 150 kg·ha−1), factor B consisted of two mowing systems (autonomous mower vs. walk-behind gasoline reel mower with no clipping removal), and factor C consisted of two mowing heights (1.2 and 3.6 cm). Prototype autonomous mower performed mowing at 1.2-cm mowing height whereas ordinary autonomous mower mowed at 3.6-cm mowing height. The interaction between the mowing system and mowing height showed that the turf quality was higher when the turf was mowed by the autonomous mower and at 1.2 cm than at 3.6 cm. Autonomous mowing not only reduced the mowing quality, but also reduced the leaf width. Lower mowing height induced thinner leaves. Nitrogen fertilization not only increased the overall turf quality, reduced weed cover percentage, but also reduced mowing quality. Autonomous mowers also had a lower energy consumption if compared with the reel mower (1.86 vs. 5.37 kWh/week at 1.2-cm mowing height and 1.79 vs. 2.32 kWh/week at 3.6-cm mowing height, respectively). These results show that autonomous mowers can perform low mowing even on tough-to-mow turfgrass species. They could also be used on high-quality sports turfs, thus saving time as well as reducing noise and pollution.

China: "A Bee Has a Stripy Back, but No One Can Call It a Tiger"

2003 ◽  
pp. 61-75
Author(s):  
V. Guelbras
Keyword(s):  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Gdp Growth ◽  
International Demand ◽  
Real Size ◽  
Rates Of Growth

The article is devoted to verification of the Chinese GDP data. The author compares the rates of GDP growth with the rates of growth of energy consumption, transport turnover of goods, and numbers of projected and constructed objects in 1980-2000. The former was significantly lower during that period. He also analyses the level of using productive capacities and the quality of production. About 25-30% of industrial productive capacities are not used because there is neither national nor international demand for their low quality goods. The main conclusion of the article is that the Chinese GDP real size is about 20-30% less than official releases.

Evaluation of the Properties of Humus Liquid of Earthworm Eisenia Foetida Obtained from Different Rachis

2017 ◽  
Vol 3 (02) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ramiro Remigio Gaibor Fernández ◽  
Abraham Adalberto Bayas Zamora ◽  
Galo Israel Muñoz Sánchez ◽  
Cristhian Adrián Rivas Santacruz
Keyword(s):  
Plant Growth ◽  
Fulvic Acids ◽  
Cattle Manure ◽  
Eisenia Foetida ◽  
Humic And Fulvic Acids ◽  
Livestock Manure ◽  
A Value ◽  
The One ◽  
Liquid Slurry

The objective of the present investigation was to evaluate the physical characteristics of the vermicompost and the quality of the purine of the red Californian (Eisenia foetida) using different substrates of feed for these worms. For this purpose, nine treatments were studied: 75% African palm rachis + 25% cattle manure, 50% African palm rachis + 50% cattle manure, 25% African palm rachis + 75% livestock manure, 50% manure of cattle, 50% of manure of cattle, 25% of manure of cattle, 50% of manure of cattle, 50% of manure of cattle, 50% of rach of coconut + 50% of manure of Livestock, 25% coccus rachis + 75% livestock manure. The substrate made up of 50% of rachis of coconut and 50% of livestock manure can be used in nurseries or nurseries for being the one that registered a value of pH 7.3 plus the closest to the neutral compared to the others, besides this (75% of oil palm rachis and 25% of cattle manure) showed a higher content of humic and fulvic acids (0.87 and 0.45 p / p, respectively), compounds that are important for agriculture by stimulating plant growth, in addition to this reflection 0.06% sulfur content, 4.0 ppm boron, 7.0 ppm copper, 47.5 ppm iron, 6.0 ppm manganese, with a presence of microorganisms of the species Trichoderma, Penicillium, Cladosporium sp. in amounts of 1.91x105 UFC / ml, however in this substrate was obtained between 13.3 and 43.5% less liquid slurry in Comparison with other treatments.

Contribution to a Magnetite Consumption in the Karviná Mine's Preparation Plant of the Lazy Plant / Příspěvek Ke Spotřebě Magnetitu Na Úpravně Dolu Karviná, Závodu Lazy

2012 ◽  
Vol 58 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Radim Pavlík ◽  
Vlastimil Řepka
Keyword(s):  
The One ◽  
Preparation Plant

Abstract In its introduction, this contribution deals with the usage of magnetite during the process of coal separation in the Karviná Mine's preparation plant of the Lazy Plant. Next it deals with the evaluation of quality of magnetite used in the preparation plant, losses of magnetite adhering to the products leaving the preparation plant, the recovery of a diluted suspension with focus on the efficiency of magnetite separation of the diluted suspension and the comparison of the magnetite consumption with the one in the ČSM preparation plant. In conclusions, the article presents options leading to the reduction of the magnetite consumption in the Karviná Mine's preparation plant of the Lazy plant. For comparison, the data of the ČSM Mine is stated here.

The concept of motivation for effective credit risk management

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (11) ◽  
pp. 2567-2593
Author(s):  
M.V. Pomazanov
Keyword(s):  
Risk Management ◽  
Economic Modeling ◽  
Type I ◽  
Credit Risk Management ◽  
Curve Modeling ◽  
Business Functions ◽  
The Common ◽  
Lending Decisions ◽  
The One

Subject. The study addresses the improvement of risk management efficiency and the quality of lending decisions made by banks. Objectives. The aim is to present the bank management with a fair algorithm for risk management motivation on the one hand, and the credit management (business) on the other hand. Within the framework of the common goal to maximize risk-adjusted income from loans, this algorithm will provide guidelines for ‘risk management’ and ‘business’ functions on how to improve individual and overall efficiency. Methods. The study employs the discriminant analysis, type I and II errors, Lorentz curve modeling, statistical analysis, economic modeling. Results. The paper offers a mechanism for assessing the quality of risk management decisions as opposed to (or in support of) decisions of the lending business when approving transactions. The mechanism rests on the approach of stating type I and II errors and the corresponding classical metric of the Gini coefficient. On the ‘business’ side, the mechanism monitors the improvement or deterioration of the indicator of changes in losses in comparison with the market average. Conclusions. The study substantiates the stimulating ‘rules of the game’ between the ‘business’ and ‘risk management’ to improve the efficiency of the entire business, to optimize interactions within the framework of internal competition. It presents mathematical tools to calculate corresponding indicators of the efficiency of internally competing entities.

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