Performance assessment of mass-based yield prediction for Chinese cabbage yield monitoring applications

( Ashrafuzzaman Gulandaz ),( Sazzadul Kabir ),( Nasim Reza ),( Mohammad Ali ),( Shaha Nur Kabir ),( Sun-ok Chung ) 한국농업기계학회 2023 한국농업기계학회 학술발표논문집 Vol.28 No.1

Yield monitoring is a crucial tool for the effective management of agricultural production and accurate measurement of crop yield prediction. The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of an impact-based load cell for predicting the mass-based yield of Chinese cabbage for yield monitoring. Specifically, the study aimed to identify the optimal configuration for the load cell setup to ensure accurate yield prediction. The experiments were conducted using two different load cell configurations, including the number and placement of load cells. Two layouts of impact plates were tested; one with two load cells, 150 mm apart, and the other with a single load cell, mounted center on the supporting impact plate. Both of the layouts used an acrylic plate and a 10mm thick polyurethane cushion as supporting impact plate to avoid damage to the load cells and cabbages. The performance of the load cell setup was evaluated by comparing the predicted mass with the actual mass of the cabbage samples. The effects of three variables- conveyor speed, falling height, and impact plate angle on cabbage mass were also considered. Three different conditions were tested, including static condition, vibration, and with vibration and inclination. The single load cell configuration provided the most accurate prediction of mass-based yield, with the maximum R2 value of 0.92, the minimum RMSE of 205g, and an error less than 5% for all experimental variables compared to the double load cell configuration. Based on the findings, it can be concluded that the load cell configuration with a single load cell is reliable and effective tool for predicting mass-based yield monitoring. This configuration can also be extended for other crops with similar characteristics.

Control and arrangement of small-sized suspension-type dehumidifier for ICT based greenhouse environment

구란다즈아스라푸자만 ( Ashrafuzzaman Gulandaz ),레자나심 ( Nasim Reza ),초두리밀론 ( Milon Chowdhury ),키라가샤픽 ( Shafik Kiraga ),정선옥 ( Sun-ok Chung ) 한국농업기계학회 2021 한국농업기계학회 학술발표논문집 Vol.26 No.2

Humidity control inside greenhouses is essential for optimum plant growth and physiological disorders and diseases managements. The humidity response and variability depend extensively on the performance of the dehumidifier. The objective of this research was to evaluate the performance of a small-sized suspension-type dehumidifier in terms of temperature and humidity changes and spatial and vertical variability in a greenhouse. The dehumidifier consisted of a 0.6 kW compressor and a 0.1 kW fan. We compared the performance of dehumidifier among the different installation layouts like one at the center, two at the center (facing opposite directions from the center to the sides), one at either of the sides, two at both of the sides (facing to the center). To evaluate the functional ability of the dehumidifier, 45 temperature and humidity sensors were placed at three layers (top, middle, and bottom) and in five sections for monitoring the environmental status inside the greenhouse. Two additional sensors were placed in front of the dehumidifier and outside of the greenhouse. A wireless sensor network was used to collect the data for 90% to 70% dehumidifier operating conditions and monitor the humidity status during the operation and collected the data. The humidity response results showed that the time required for 90% to 70% dehumidification were 33 minutes. Temperature fluctuates 1degree after 11 minutes in upper layer and 27 minutes in bottom layer. The spatial and variability results indicated that the changes in humidity at, two at the center (facing opposite directions from the center to the sides) were higher than those in the other setup of dehumidifier in greenhouse. The outcomes of this research will be helpful for the development of low-power, small-sized dehumidifying systems and its setup position in greenhouse for cultivation.

Volumetric yield prediction of Chinese cabbage using CCD camera

구란다즈아스라푸자만 ( Ashrafuzzaman Gulandaz ),카비르사자둘 ( Sazzadul Kabir ),래자나심 ( Nasim Reza ),알리모하마드 ( Mohammad Ali ),정선옥 ( Sun-ok Chung ) 한국농업기계학회 2022 한국농업기계학회 학술발표논문집 Vol.27 No.2

Yield monitoring helps farmers make the proper use of their resources and estimate their crop yield precisely. The objective of the study was to measure the volume of Chinese cabbage using CCD (Charged-coupled device) camera. This system captures RGB images of 30 cabbage samples with the help of two 9-W fluorescent LED light sources, a CCD camera, and an HP core i7 laptop. The camera and LED lights were mounted 1.08 m above the harvester conveyor. The speeds of the conveyor were 0.55 m/s, 0.70 m/s, and 0.85 m/s, respectively, for taking RGB images using the CCD camera, which was triggered by two ultrasonic sensors at a frequency of 5 Hz. Archimedes’ law was used to measure the actual volume of the 30 cabbages in a traditional way. A combination of an RGB image processing technique and a point cloud approach was developed. The images were processed by background subtraction and edge detection algorithms using a Python-based programming language. The volume of cabbage with an ellipsoidal shape was estimated using the box method. Height of each cabbage surface point was found by subtracting the value of each cabbage sample point from the value of the background point. These traditional and box estimation methods provided volumes in the range of 0.003m3 to 0.007m3, respectively. The linear regression approach and t-test analyses (equal variances for means α=0.05) were used to compare the estimated and measured volumes of cabbage, and each method was not substantially different. The results showed that the R2 values were 0.82, 0.74, 0.67 and the root mean square error (RMSE) values were 0.00035 m3, 0.00028 m3 and 0.00025 m3, respectively. In real conditions, the estimated volume can be used to calculate the cabbage yield during harvesting.

Theoretical fatigue analysis of spiral bevel gears for a utility track vehicle in various agricultural operations

알리모하마드 ( Mohammod Ali ),아스라푸자만구란다즈 ( Gulandaz Md Ashrafuzzaman ),레자나심 ( Md Nasim Reza ),하비네자엘리에젤 ( Habineza Eliezel ),정선옥 ( Sun-ok Chung ) 한국농업기계학회 2022 한국농업기계학회 학술발표논문집 Vol.27 No.1

To ensure the durability of gears a fatigue analysis is essential to avoid failure during field operations under various dynamic loads. Therefore, the objective of the study was to conduct a theoretical fatigue analysis of spiral bevel gear to calculate the service life of the power transmission part of a utility track vehicle that is under development. A field experiment was performed to measure the applied load (torque) of the gear in various agricultural operations. A torque measurement system was developed to collect the axle torque data of the vehicle. The load duration distribution (LDD) method was applied to analyze the torque data to assess cyclic load characteristics. The Palmgren-Miner cumulative damage model was employed to predict fatigue failure levels of spiral bevel gears. The fatigue life under an empty platform with the driver, a lawnmower, a sprayer-trailer (150-L payload), and a lawnmower and 150-L payload trailer was recorded from 13,000 to 25,000 h approximately, which was a sufficient lifespan range of gears for 12-years service life. According to the analyses, the gears met the standard service life during field operations with attached implements. The results provided in this study can be used to design power transmission systems of utility vehicles for multipurpose agricultural operations.

Estimation of pepper plant height and canopy area under field conditions using an image processing approach

( Mohammad Ali ),( Rejaul Karim ),( Ashrafuzzaman Gulandaz ),( Eliezel Habineza ),( Sazzadul Kabir ),( Ho-sung An ),( Sun-ok Chung ) 한국농업기계학회 2023 한국농업기계학회 학술발표논문집 Vol.28 No.1

Regular crop phenotypic trait monitoring is a crucial agricultural field management technique for analyzing crop growth and predicting yield. The aim of this study was to estimate the height and canopy area of pepper plants using automatically captured images for monitoring plant growth under field conditions. Four Raspberry Pi cameras were mounted on a crop-scouting electric vehicle platform, and used in an experimental field to collect random images of pepper plants. The recorded images were processed with a commercial and open-source data-processing software. Automatic data collection and segmentation methods were tested on two rows with 83 pepper plants. The image used in the measuring method was compared to the measured ground truth data to evaluate the accuracy of the results. The average plant height and canopy area were 60.43±7.92 cm and 0.32±0.13 m2, respectively. The sensor data processing algorithm showed an RMSE of 3.11 to 3.62 cm and 0.04 to 0.07 m2 for plant height and canopy average estimations, respectively. The R2 values were 0.85 for the individual phenotype traits of plant height and 0.82 for canopy area coverage, respectively. The results showed that the proposed system could automatically segment and measure pepper plant height and canopy area under field conditions. The findings of this study would contribute to further research on upland crop growth, and yield monitoring.

Yield monitoring systems for non-grain crops: A review

KABIR MD SAZZADUL,GULANDAZ MD ASHRAFUZZAMAN,ALI MOHAMMOD,레자 나심,사하눌 카빌,정선옥,한광민 충남대학교 농업과학연구소 2024 Korean Journal of Agricultural Science Vol.51 No.1

Yield monitoring systems have become integral to precision agriculture, providing insights into the spatial variability of crop yield and playing an important role in modern harvesting technology. This paper aims to review current research trends in yield monitoring systems, specifically designed for non-grain crops, including cabbages, radishes, potatoes, and tomatoes. A systematic literature survey was conducted to evaluate the performance of various monitoring methods for non-grain crop yields. This study also assesses both mass- and volume-based yield monitoring systems to provide precise evaluations of agricultural productivity. Integrating load cell technology enables precise mass flow rate measurements and cumulative weighing, offering an accurate representation of crop yields, and the incorporation of image-based analysis enhances the overall system accuracy by facilitating volumetric flow rate calculations and refined volume estimations. Mass flow methods, including weighing, force impact, and radiometric approaches, have demonstrated impressive results, with some measurement error levels below 5%. Volume flow methods, including paddle wheel and optical methodologies, yielded error levels below 3%. Signal processing and correction measures also play a crucial role in achieving accurate yield estimations. Moreover, the selection of sensing approach, sensor layout, and mounting significantly influence the performance of monitoring systems for specific crops.

Effect of boom height and operating pressure on spray uniformity and distribution under test bench experiment

카비르사자둘 ( Sazzadul Kabir ),구란다즈아스라푸자만 ( Ashrafuzzaman Gulandaz ),레자나심 ( Nasim Reza ) 한국농업기계학회 2022 한국농업기계학회 학술발표논문집 Vol.27 No.2

The overuse of pesticides has caused increased production costs and environmental pollution. A major focus of precision variable rate technologies has been improving spraying effectiveness. Sprayer performance and quality are significantly impacted by technical performance of the nozzle. The objective of this work was to analyze the impact of boom height and operating pressure on spray distribution and uniformity. The test bench consisted of four nozzles (NN D-35) and a single-cylinder motor with a four-stroke capacity of 0.72 kW. This sprayer was self-propelled and operated with applied speeds of 2 km/h on testing grounds. Experiments were conducted in the lab with conventional spray nozzles and water as the test liquid. Tested liquid outflow pressure ranged from 280 to 520 kPa. Depending on the spraying target surface, 35, 45, and 55 cm of working spray boom height were adjusted. The nozzle spacing was 30 cm, and the spray angles of the nozzles were 110o. Resultant sprayer nozzle width with boom heights of 35, 45, and 55 cm caused overlaps of 22.38%, 23.43%, and 24.15%. The average droplet density levels of 155.38, 159.20, and 168.31 (spots/cm2) were achieved at boom heights 35, 45, and 55 cm with a speed of 2 km/h, resulting in the spray coverage levels of 23.21%, 26.38%, and 28.35%, respectively. This study may assist in designing future sprayers and spray booms. Additionally these spraying devices would also be cost-effective and environmentally friendly to utilize.

An loT-Based Drip Irrigation System for Precise Water Management in Sandy Soil Greenhouses

( Mohammad Ali ),( Bicamumakuba Emmanuel ),( Md Ashrafuzzaman Gulandaz ),( Md Razob Ali ),( Sun-ok Chung ) 한국농업기계학회 2023 한국농업기계학회 학술발표논문집 Vol.28 No.2

To enhance crop yields in greenhouse agriculture, precise water management is important, especially in sandy soil where water retention is challenging. Therefore, the study aimed to develop a data acquisition (DAQ) system to monitor the water content of sandy soil using the Internet of Things (IoT) in an experimental soil bin inside a greenhouse. The system used drip irrigation with four pipelines spaced 60 cm apart, each having drippers at 30 cm intervals along the pipeline. The whole setup was placed inside a sandy soil testing bin (3 × 3 m). The design of the DAQ system revolved around three essential components: sensor interface and electronics, programming for sensor data collection, and data storage and monitoring. The device utilized a microprocessor to establish communication with a set of sensors responsible for measuring soil water content, ambient temperature, and humidity. The soil water content sensors were placed in the soil at depths ranging from 0 to 50 cm. A microcontroller gathered and transmitted the sensor data for real-time monitoring and storage. The system indicated variations in soil water content during the experiment, with maximum and minimum average values ranging from 33.91±2.5 to 26.95±1.3%. Ambient temperature and humidity levels varied similarly, ranging from 21.39±2.1 to 42.84±1.7 ℃ and 48.73±2.3 to 99.90±0.3%, respectively. The developed DAQ system offers potential for greenhouse irrigation management, incorporating remote monitoring and control capabilities, considering various crop traits and climatic conditions.

Estimation of apple tree canopy height and area coverage using 3D LiDAR point clouds

( Rejaul Karim ),( Mohammod Ali ),( Shahriar Ahmed ),( Ashrafuzzaman Gulandaz ),( Nasim Reza ),( Justin Sung ),( Sun-ok Chung ) 한국농업기계학회 2023 한국농업기계학회 학술발표논문집 Vol.28 No.1

Phenotyping characteristics (Tree height and canopy area) are crucial factors for growth and yield monitoring. This study aimed to use 3D LiDAR point clouds to estimate the apple tree canopy height and area using different digital models. The traditional method of manually measuring trees at various heights and canopies is time-consuming and labor-intensive, so the study aimed to automate the process using 3D LiDAR (VLP-16) to collect point clouds of orchard apple trees. The data was pre-processed using a 3D point cloud data processing software, and automatic segmentation methods were applied to calculate the canopy height and area for selected orchard tree samples. The processed 3D point cloud data was converted into raster images for visualization and estimation of orchard tree canopy height and area coverage using digital surface model (DSM), digital elevation model (DEM), and canopy height model (CHM). Python program was also used for visualization and reconstruction of trees from the preprocessed data. The accuracy of the sensor-based measuring method was compared to manually-acquired ground truth data, but the accuracy was worse by 15%. The study found that the proposed system could efficiently segment and measure tree canopy height and area coverage. The proposed models showed comparatively lower result than manual measurement, with an sensor based average tree canopy height and area of 2.1 m and 5.83 m², respectively, where as measured values were 2.4±0.2 m and 6.0±0.21 m², respectively. However, the findings of this study can still contribute to further horticultural crops research particularly for orchard fruits production and yield monitoring.

Development of a sandy soil water content monitoring system for greenhouses using Internet of Things

Mohammod Ali,Md Razob Ali,Md Ashrafuzzaman Gulandaz,Md Asrakul Haque,Md Sazzadul Kabir,Sun-Ok Chung 사단법인 한국정밀농업학회 2023 정밀농업과학기술지 Vol.5 No.3

Precision water management is crucial for greenhouse agriculture to maximize crop yields in sandy soil. Due to the low water holding capacity, it is necessary to monitor the water movement in different depths of sandy soil to ensure effective irrigation. Therefore, this study aimed to develop a data acquisition (DAQ) system for sandy soil water content monitoring in an experimental soil bin inside a greenhouse, utilizing the capabilities of the Internet of Things (IoT). A drip irrigation system was implemented, arranged in four pipelines, spaced 60 cm apart, with drippers placed at 30 cm intervals along the pipeline. The overall system was installed in a sandy soil testing bin. A DAQ system was comprised of three basic units: sensor interfacing and circuit board, programming and sensor data acquisition, and data storage and monitoring. A microprocessor was used by interfacing a set of soil water content sensors, ambient temperature, and humidity sensors. The water content sensors were placed in the soil at different depths of 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 cm, respectively. A microcontroller was used to collect and send the sensor data to monitor and store in memory. During the test, the maximum and minimum average of soil water content, ambient temperature, and humidity values were observed at 33.91±2.5 to 26.95±1.3%, 21.39±2.1 to 42.84±1.7°C, and 48.73±2.3 to 99.90±0.3%, respectively. The water content percentages were varied at different depths of sandy soil due to low water holding capacity. The developed automatic DAQ system would help with remote monitoring and control of greenhouse irrigation, considering the different crop characteristics and environmental conditions.