Development and Performance Evaluation of a Soil Moisture Sensor

This study was aimed at developing a soil moisture sensor to effectively monitor moisture level for optimum crop growth. The sensor was made using a programmed Arduino microcontroller. It is attached to a sensing panel with two probes made of nickel that measures the volumetric content of water in soil. The probes were non-corrosive and robust material suitable for use in wet surfaces. The developed sensor was tested and evaluated. The two legged Lead (probes) goes into the soil where water content was to be measured by passing current through the soil, and then reads the resistance to get the moisture level. Nine different soil classification samples (Sandy Clay, Fine Sandy Loam, Sandy Loam, Salty Loam, Loamy Sand, Coarse Sand, Fine Sand, Sandy Clay Loam and clay soils) at different depths (3, 6, 9, 12 and 14.3 cm) were used to analyse the moisture meter at three different portion of each soil sample. Results obtained indicates that there was a progressive increase in moisture levels the more the sensor was being dipped into the soil. Results obtained also shows that all the nine soil samples but one (Silt Loam Soil Sample) analysed were within acceptable range of accuracy (0.1 - 5.0 %). The moisture sensor whose cost was approximately #22,300:00 was found to be effective, high precision at less efforts and a suitable guide for farmer for determining soil moisture levels.Keywords- Moisture, Probe, Sensor, Soil Classification

COMPARISON OF TWO MICROWAVE DRYING TECHNIQUES FOR CEREAL SEEDS AND DETERMINATION OF THEIR PHYSICAL PARAMETERS

The microwave drying of wheat and corn seeds by two technologies at different working powers is studied here. The main objective is to evaluate the effect of microwaves on variations in the moisture, colour and size of the seeds after microwave drying. The tests are performed in microwave ovens with and without inverter technology at three drying powers (260, 440 and 620 W). It has been observed that increasing drying power results in a ~50% reduction in drying time and a seed moisture level below 14%. The colour variation of the seeds is insignificant between microwave drying with and without the inverter. However, there is also an unacceptable decrease in size for both types of seeds with increasing drying power, which can lead to increased shrinkage of the seeds and the appearance of cracks, especially in the corn seeds.

THE ENEOLITHIC KURGAN IN THE SOUTH OF THE VORONEZH REGION

Статья вводит в научный оборот материалы погребений эпохи энеолита, происходящие из кургана, расположенного на Среднем Дону (Воронежская область). Обнаруженный в кургане инвентарь (керамика с примесью раковины, подвески из зубов оленя, наконечники стрел и орудия из кремня, металлические пронизки) в совокупности с абсолютными датировками указывает на энеолитическую принадлежность публикуемого комплекса (втор. пол. V тыс. до н. э.). Спорово-пыльцевой анализ погребенной почвы под курганом свидетельствует о кратковременном похолодании и повышенной увлажненности в период сооружения кургана. The paper introduces into scientific discourse materials from Eneolithic burials in a kurgan located on the Middle Don (Voronezh region). Funerary offerings discovered in the kurgan (ceramics with crushed shells admixture, pendants made from deer teeth, arrowheads and flint tools, metal tubular beads) along with the absolute dates obtained demonstrate that this assemblage dates to the Eneolithic (second half of V mill. BC). The pollen analysis of the buried soil under the kurgan reveals short-term cooling and a high moisture level at the time when the kurgan was erected.

Yield and vivipary of pecan nut (Carya illinoinensis[Wangenh.] K. Koch) in relation to soil moisture

Introduction: Viviparity in pecan nut (Carya illinoinensis [Wangenh.] K. Koch) has increased considerably. This genetic-environmental phenomenon can be controlled with soil moisture management and other quality variables.Objective: To determine the effect of soil moisture content on yield, nut size, kernel percentage and germinated nut on the tree.Materials and methods: Forty-year-old pecan nut trees were irrigated by 40 emitters with an output of 3.2 L∙h-1. From the phenological stage of shell hardening, irrigation time was 4, 6 and 8 h, corresponding to moisture levels of 0.257, 0.327 and 0.380 m3 of water per m3 of soil, at depths of 40 to 80 cm. Yield per tree, germinated nut percentage, fruit size and kernel percentage were evaluated during the production cycles of 2016 and 2017 production cycles.Results and discussion: During the two production cycles, when soil moisture level increased from 0.257 to 0.380 m3∙m-3, nut yield per tree, fruit length and diameter, and kernel percentage increased on average 23.8 %, 25.3 and 10 %, and 1.8 %, respectively; however, vivipary increased 11.2 %, which was reflected in the decrease of commercial pecan nut percentage. Treatments 0.327 and 0.380 m3∙m-3 had a similar effect (P > 0.05) on these variables.Conclusions: The lower moisture level (0.257 m3∙m-3), starting at the kernel filling stage, decreased vivipary and increased commercial kernel percentage.

Embodiment design of a soil bin for soil-tool interaction study

The agriculture industry is an important aspect of Indian economy. The changes occurring in global climate and increased frequency of extreme weather conditions pose challenges for agriculture industry. In such unpredictable conditions, achieving required outputs from farming for supporting continuously increasing population necessitates the mechanization of traditional processes. The selection of machinery for such mechanized setup is a key management task. Tractor is one of the farm machines being used in various farm related operations. Thus understanding constraints imposed on selection of a tractor is a primary factor in decision making process. The study has highlighted importance of power requirement for farming operation in tractor selection process. Thus to determine power requirement for farming operation a study of soil-tool interaction is necessary. A soil bin setup is one of the tools for studying the soil-tool interaction. This work presents the conceptual and embodiment design of a soil bin developed to find variation in draft force with respect to variations in the parameters like tillage depth, operation speed and soil moisture level. The tillage depth and operation speed were found to be directly proportional whereas the soil moisture level was found to be inversely proportional to the draft force.

Design and Development of an Automatic Prototype Smart Irrigation Model

In the current condition, it is difficult to increase plant development and reduce expenses in agricultural sectors; nevertheless, an advanced thought leads to the use of an automated model that introduces automation in the irrigation system, which can aid in improved water and human resources management. An automated model has been developed using sensors and microcontroller technology, to make the most efficient use of water supply for irrigation. A soil moisture content detector is inserted into the soil of the crops, and an ultrasonic sensor is placed above the soil of the crops to measure the water level after irrigation has begun. A C++ program with threshold values for the moisture sensor was used to start the system in the crop field depending on the soil moisture level, and an ultrasonic sensor was used to control the water in the crop field. The Arduino UNO board is a microcontroller inbuilt of Atmel in the mega AVR family (ATMega328) and the sensors were used to lead the model in turning ON/OFF. A microcontroller was included in this model to run the program by receiving sensor input signals and converting them to soil water content and water level values in the crop field. The microcontroller began by receiving input values, which resulted in an output instructing the relay to turn on the groundwater pump. An LCD screen has also been interfaced with the microcontroller to show the percentage of moisture in the soil, field water level, and pump condition. When the soil moisture level reaches 99 percent and the water level reaches 6 cm after 2.5 and 4 minutes, respectively, the pump is turned off. This model, according to the study, might save water, time, and reduce human effort.

The Role of Water Content in the Casing Layer for Mushroom Crop Production and the Occurrence of Fungal Diseases

Mushroom cultivation requires effective control of environmental cues to obtain the best yield and high quality. The impact of water content in the casing layer on mushroom yield and the incidence of two of the most important diseases in the mushroom growing farms, dry bubble and cobweb diseases, was evaluated. Different initial water content in the casing and two alternative irrigation programs applied (light or moderate irrigation) were the agronomic parameters under study during five separate button mushroom crop trials. Higher initial humidity content in the casing layer reported a larger yield, with a fewer number of basidiomes but heavier, while no correlation to the dry matter content or the colour of the basidiomes was noted. The incidence of dry bubble disease was not conditioned by the water content of the casing layer, at the high moisture levels established in the study. In the case of Cladobotryum mycophilum, the lower moisture level of the casing layer reported more incidence of cobweb disease, and subsequently harmful yield losses. According to the results obtained, the right management of the moisture level in the casing materials could promote crop yield and preclude the significant impact of dry bubble and cobweb diseases.

Priming with Humic Acid to Reverse Ageing Damage in Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill.] Seeds

Soybean seed vigour declines with increase in storage duration, due to ageing, which can be alleviated through seed priming. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of Humic acid (HA) priming on germination, vigour and seedling performance under laboratory and greenhouse conditions with two soil moisture level [50% and 80% field capacity (FC)]. Seeds stored for 12 months having 60% germination were primed either with 0.2 g/L HA solution or distilled water (hydro-primed) at 25 °C for 1, 3, 5 and 7 h. Non-primed dry seeds were used as control, giving nine treatment combinations. Various germination traits [mean germination time (MGT), final germination percentage (FG%), germination rate index (GRI), seedling emergence percentage (SEP)], mean emergence time (MET), seedling quality traits [seedling vigor index (SVI), shoot length, root length, root volume], antioxidant enzyme activities [catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD)], lipid peroxidation [malondialdehyde (MDA)] and electrical conductivity (EC) were determined. A germination test in the laboratory was conducted as single factor (nine priming treatments), while the greenhouse experiment was conducted as two factors [2 soil moisture level (50 and 80% FC) and 9 priming treatments]. The results indicated that seeds primed with HA for 5 h was able to reinstate the CAT activities (25%), POD activities (50%) and reduced EC (51%) and MDA content (40%) compared with non-primed seeds, reduced the MET (from 4.3 to 3.5 days), increased FG% (from 62 to 71%), GRI (15.6–21.1) and SEP (from 35 to 54%) and (from 60 to 72%) at 50% FC level and 80% FC level, respectively. A strong negative correlation (r = −0.80 **) was found between MDA content and GRI, while CAT and POD activities had positive correlation with GRI r= 0.67 ** and r = 0.56 **, respectively. Thus, priming with 0.2 g/L HA for 5 h improved the vigour of minimally deteriorated soybean seeds resulting in increased emergence with more uniform field establishment.