Tillage Operational Analysis Based on Soil Moisture Content, Machine Speed, and Disc Space of Compact Disc Harrow

( Frank Gyan Okyere ),( Byeong Eun Moon ),( Waqas Qasim ),( Jayanta Kumar Basak ),( Fawad Kahn ),( Dae Sik Kang ),( Yong Cheol Yoon ),( Hyeon Tae Kim ) 한국농업기계학회 2018 바이오시스템공학 Vol.43 No.3

Purpose: During tillage operations, the selection of a working machine (tool) depends on the soil conditions as well as the type of tillage operation to be performed. The goal of this research was to ascertain the effects of varying working machine parameters of a compact disc harrow on tillage operations under various soil moisture content (SMC) conditions. Methods: The working machine parameters were the disc spacing and machine speed. The tillage parameters under investigation were the soil inversion ratio (SIR), tillage cutting depth (TCD), and soil clod breakage ratio (SCB). To determine the SIR, the areas of the white regions before and after tillage were obtained. The ratio of the difference of the areas of the white regions before and after tillage to the area of the white regions before tillage was considered as the SIR. The SCB was obtained as the ratio of the weight of soil clods after sieving with a mesh size of <0.02 m to the total weight of the soil clods before sieving. The soil TCD was measured using a tape measure at random points after the tillage operation. The resulting data were statistically analyzed in a one-way analysis of variance. Results: The highest soil inversion was achieved when the machine speed was 0.2 m/s with the disc spaced at 0.2 m in the 16.5% SMC. At a 0.4-m/s machine speed and 0.3-m disc spacing the highest soil breakage was achieved in the 26.5% SMC. The highest TCD was achieved at a 0.2-m/s machine speed and 0.2-m disc spacing in the 16.5% SMC. Conclusions: It was concluded that varying the working machine parameters, such as the disc spacing and machine speed, could significantly affect the soil inversion and soil clod breakage; however, it had no significant impact on the TCD.

Performace Evaluation of Baler Machine for Cutting Corn Stalks for Biomass Production

( Frank Gyan Okyere ),( Waqas Qasim ),( Jayanta Kumar Basak ),( Fawad Khan ),( Jo Jihoon Park ),( Hyeon Tae Kim* ) 한국농업기계학회 2018 한국농업기계학회 학술발표논문집 Vol.23 No.2

The use of agro waste for biomass production is on the rise in recent times. To achieve a high surface to volume ratio for efficient biomass production, the agro waste material needs to be chopped or cut into pieces. However machines for such purposes are not readily available. The aim of this research was to analyze the performance of a designed baler machine which cuts corn stalks into small pieces for biomass production. Waste corn stalks were used for the experiments. The machine has a main rotor which revolves at various speeds and also a ground/bed for holding and moving the corn stalks for cutting. Three rotor speeds were selected; 1100rpm, 1750rpm and 2250rpm whiles the ground/bed speed remained constant at 4.5km/h. The moisture content of the corn were varied at high; 80~70%, medium 50~40% and low; 20~10%. The corn stalk at a moisture content of 50~40% had the best cutting pattern when the rotor speed was set at 1750rpm. At a high speed of 2250rpm, most of the corn stalk were destroyed. It was concluded that to achieve a cutting pattern with a high accuracy, the moisture content of the corn stalk should be low and the medium speed of the rotor needs to be selected.

Disease Detection on Tomato Leaves and Rate of Spread Analysis Using Image Processing Techniques

( Frank Gyan Okyere ),( Waqas Qasim ),( Jayanta Kumar Basak ),( Fawad Khan ),( Jo Jihoon Park ),( Hyeon Tae Kim ) 한국농업기계학회 2018 한국농업기계학회 학술발표논문집 Vol.23 No.2

Cultivating crops using greenhouse technology is an advancement in food production. One major challenge is the early detection of diseases and its spread rate. Detecting diseases in plants accurately and timely can help mitigate much losses in food production in greenhouse. Also the survival of most disease infection on plants is influenced by the bio - environmental factors that affects the plants. However the impact of this influence of bioenvironmental factors on the plants are not well known. The aim of this research was to develop algorithms to detect diseases in tomatoes leaves, and to analyze the effect of variations in the bioenvironmental conditions on disease spread rate using image processing technique in Mat lab 2017Ra software. The tomato plants under research were subjected to two main bioenvironmental conditions; temperature and relative humidity. All other conditions remained constant. Images of the leaves were taken with a point grey camera for diseases detection for about 64 days. The images were first preprocessed, segmented to determine the diseased areas. Segmentation was done using K- means clustering and features were extracted for training and classification. SVM were used to train and classify the images.The results shows that diseases were first detected on the 7^th day after transplanting. On the 10^th day, diseases were found on all the plants. The highest temperature and humidity were 15.8°C and 66rH respectively whiles the lowest were recorded at -2°C and 18rH respectively. It was concluded that disease spread rate was high in low temperature and high humidity conditions. Also the instability of the bioenvironmental conditions may have effect on the disease spread rate on the plant leaves.

Machine Learning Application to Disease Identification on Tomato Leaves

( Frank Gyan Okyere ),( Waqas Qasim ),( Jayanta Kumar Basak ),( Fawad Khan ),( Jihoon Park ),( Ackyung Moon ),( Hyeon-tae Kim ) 한국농업기계학회 2019 한국농업기계학회 학술발표논문집 Vol.24 No.1

Modern agricultural productions involves the use of smart technologies to achieve high yields. One of such technologies is the automation of greenhouse and disease detection and its eradication. Detecting diseases early on crops has a ripple effect of improving crop yield and reducing the cost effect. The aim of this experiment is to develop a machine learning based algorithm to detect the early occurrence of diseases on tomato leaves. The experiment was in two parts; 40 plants were used for the experiment of which 30 were inoculated with fusariuim oxysporum fungi and the remaining 10 used as control. Images of plant leaves were taken with an RGB camera every three days for 90days. The images were processed in Matlab 2017a Software and an Support Vector Machine algorithm with different kernel functions (Laplacian, Cauchy and invmult kernels) was written to train and validate and test the dataset. The use of the different kernel function was to analyze the robustness of the algorithm. About 2450 dataset were obtained and 70% - 30%, 60%-40% and 50%-50% training - validation proportions were used. The results showed that training the SVM with 70% of dataset yielded a 94.2% accuracy with area under curve of 0.98 when viewed under ROC. However the 50% -50% dataset showed the lowest accuracy performance of 88% with a 0.75 AUC under the ROC. The Cauchy kernel produced the most effect performance whiles the Laplacian produced the worst performance. Hence to develop a robust SVM based algorithm for detecting leaves, it is recommended that 70% or more of the dataset should be used in conjunction with the Cauchy kernel for high performance.

Analysis of Tillage Operations with Variable Working Machine Parameters Using a Disc Harrow

( Frank Gyan Okyere ),( Minho Lee ),( Byeongeun Moon ),( Waqas Qasim ),( Jo Jaemin ),( Hyeon Tae Kim ) 한국농업기계학회 2017 한국농업기계학회 학술발표논문집 Vol.22 No.2

During tillage operations a lot of factors are considered to achieve a high soil tilt for plant growth and reduce cost of operation. The experiments in this study were conducted to ascertain the effect that varying working machine parameters such as disc spacing and ground machine speed would have on tillage operations in various soil moisture content of 16.5%, 26.5% and 36.5%. This experiment was conducted in a soil bin facility at ground machine speed of 0.2 m/s, 0.3 m/s, and 0.4 m/s and also disc spacing of 20 cm, 30 cm, and 40 cm. The tillage parameters such as soil inversion, soil clod breakage and tillage cutting depth were all measured. The results showed that disc spacing and ground machine speed all affected soil inversion in the different soil moisture content. The best soil inversion ratio was achieved when the ground machine speed was 0.2 m/s with the disc spacing at 20 cm. Also according to the study results, when the disc was spaced at 20 cm and the ground speed running of the disc was 0.2 m/s in the 26.5% soil moisture content, the highest soil breakage ratio was achieved in this medium. According to the study, changing the disc spacing or the forward ground speed of the working machine did not have any significant change on the tillage cutting depth. After the analysis of the experimental results, it was concluded that varying working machine parameters such as disc spacing and ground speed could affect the soil inversion, and soil clod breakage.

Tillage Operational Analysis Based on Soil Moisture Content, Machine Speed, and Disc Space of Compact Disc Harrow

Okyere, Frank Gyan,Moon, Byeong Eun,Qasim, Waqas,Basak, Jayanta Kumar,Kahn, Fawad,Kang, Dae Sik,Yoon, Yong Cheol,Kim, Hyeon Tae Korean Society for Agricultural Machinery 2018 바이오시스템공학 Vol.43 No.3

Purpose: During tillage operations, the selection of a working machine (tool) depends on the soil conditions as well as the type of tillage operation to be performed. The goal of this research was to ascertain the effects of varying working machine parameters of a compact disc harrow on tillage operations under various soil moisture content (SMC) conditions. Methods: The working machine parameters were the disc spacing and machine speed. The tillage parameters under investigation were the soil inversion ratio (SIR), tillage cutting depth (TCD), and soil clod breakage ratio (SCB). To determine the SIR, the areas of the white regions before and after tillage were obtained. The ratio of the difference of the areas of the white regions before and after tillage to the area of the white regions before tillage was considered as the SIR. The SCB was obtained as the ratio of the weight of soil clods after sieving with a mesh size of <0.02 m to the total weight of the soil clods before sieving. The soil TCD was measured using a tape measure at random points after the tillage operation. The resulting data were statistically analyzed in a one-way analysis of variance. Results: The highest soil inversion was achieved when the machine speed was 0.2 m/s with the disc spaced at 0.2 m in the 16.5% SMC. At a 0.4-m/s machine speed and 0.3-m disc spacing the highest soil breakage was achieved in the 26.5% SMC. The highest TCD was achieved at a 0.2-m/s machine speed and 0.2-m disc spacing in the 16.5% SMC. Conclusions: It was concluded that varying the working machine parameters, such as the disc spacing and machine speed, could significantly affect the soil inversion and soil clod breakage; however, it had no significant impact on the TCD.

Analysis of Blade Oblique Angles Effect on Cutting Properties of Corn Stalks

( Frank Gyan Okyere ),( Jayanta Kumar Basak ),( Anil Bhujel ),( Fawad Khan ),( Dougheon Lee ),( Junbeon Cho ),( Hyeon Tae Kim ) 한국농업기계학회 2019 한국농업기계학회 학술발표논문집 Vol.24 No.2

Biomass is produced by green plants that converts sunlight into plant materials through phot osysnthesis and it includes land- and - water based vegetation as well as all organic waste. C orn stover is a good source of biomass for feedstock, bioproducts. On a large scale, commerci al large square or round balers for harvesting corn stalks which are made of the cut and pick up, pre- compression chamber, and bale chamber. The cut and pick up system is critical in d etermining the size cut, the length of stalk in soil after cut and eventually the volume of bale produced. Hence knowledge of cutting blades size, its geometric design and other features re lative to the cutting material is required. The aim of this research is to analyze the effect of bl ade oblique angles on the cutting properties of corn stalks of various moisture content and siz es using a prototype cutting system of a baler machine. Three oblique angle cutting blades- 30 o,45o and 60o, three rotor speeds (1100rpm, 1750rpm and 2230rpm) and three ground speeds (2.5km/h, 5.0km/h and 7.5km/h) were used as the machine variable access its impact on the l ength of cut and length in soil using four different sets of corn stalk moisture content -70.05 ± 2.42%, 48.12± 1.19%, 28.14 ± 2.02% and 18.14 ± 2.22%. Also the effect of the oblique angl es and corn stalk physical properties (size) relative to their mechanical cutting properties (spec ific energy, peak load etc) were also analyzed. The optimum oblique angle of choppers requir ement to achieve a low length of cut, cut in soil, energy requirement et al was 45o followed by 60o. The ultimate shear strength was insignificantly affected by change in oblique angle, siz e and moisture content of corn stalk.

Influence of operational properties and material’s physical characteristics on mechanical cutting properties of corn stalks

Okyere Frank Gyan,김현태,Basak Jayanta Kumar,Khan Fawad,Bhujel Anil,박지훈,이동헌 한국농업기계학회 2022 바이오시스템공학 Vol.47 No.2

Purpose This work aimed at analyzing the effect of variation in selected machine factors and crop physical properties on the cutting properties of corn stalks. Method Corn stalks on the field were simulated using 20-cm cut stalks inserted into a holding cup and held firmly using commercial clay soil. Stalks with mean moisture content of 70.05 ± 2.42%, 48.12 ± 1.19%, 28.14. ±2.02% and 18.14 ± 2.22% were subjected to cutting using three ground speeds (2.5 kmh−1, 5.0 kmh−1 and 7.5 kmh−1) and three machine speeds (30°, 45° and 60°), and the cutting properties—length of cut (LC) and length remaining in the soil (LS)—were measured with tape measure and statistically analyzed. Results Variations in moisture content significantly affected the LC and LS. The 48.12 ± 1.19% stalks produced the lowest LC and LS followed by the 18.14 ± 2.22%. There was a significant difference in the means of the LS and LC when the ground speeds were varied with 2.5 kmh−1 speed producing the lowest LC and LS. Also, increase in machine speed decreases the LS and LC with the 2230 rpm producing the lowest LC and LS. The 45° and 60° oblique angles produced better LC and LS with 45° being the ideal blade angle for effective LC and LS production. Conclusion From the study, stalks with 48.12 ± 1.19% moisture content, ground and machine speeds of 2.5kmh−1 and 2230 rpm respectively, and 45° angle blade are ideal for producing good levels of LC and LS in corn stalk processing.

Analysis of Draft Force Requirement of a Compact Disc Harrow and Model Development for Future Predictions

Frank Gyan Okyere,Waqas Qasim,Jayanta Kumar Basak,Fawad Khan,이용진,박지훈,Elanchezhian Arulmozhi,윤용철,강대식,김현태 한국농업기계학회 2019 바이오시스템공학 Vol.44 No.2

Purpose During tillage operations, draft force contributes hugely to the operational cost. Accurate knowledge of draft force (DF) requirement for tillage implements is a useful tool for machinery selection, matching of implements to tractor, etc. The goal of this research was to measure the draft force of a compact disc harrow and analyze the effect of soil moisture content (SMC) and machine speed on draft force. Also, another aim is to develop a model equation to predict draft force requirement of compact disc harrow. Methods A EWX 10000F winch was used to provide the draft (pull) force which was powered by a 24 V DC battery. The draft force was measured using a load cell which transmitted the measured values to an AND ad 4532B indicator. The draft force of the compact disc harrow was measured at three different levels of SMC: low SMC (5–7%, 9–11%, 13–15%); medium SMC (25– 27%, 29–31%, 33–35%); and High SMC (40–42%, 44–46%, 48–50%) with machine speed (MS) of 0.06 m/s, 0.09 m/s, and 0.12 m/s. Results The results obtained were statistically analyzed and it showed that the lowest draft force occurred at 26% SMC with a force of about 658 N. A multi-variable regression equation was developed after the regression analysis. The regression equation DF = 466.91 + 6.25*(SMC) + 2952.1*(MS) was selected as the best model for predicting draft force. This equation was verified using the Bland–Altman plot, the t test analysis, and the standard error analysis. Conclusion The results of the verification methods proved that the suggested model can be used for predicting draft force requirement of a compact disc harrow.

Prediction of Draft Force Requirement for Compact Disc Harrow

( Frank Gyan Okyere ),( Min Ho Lee ),( Byeong Eun Moon ),( Waqas Qasim ),( Jo Jae Min ),( Dae Sik Kang ),( Hyeon Tae Kim ) 한국농업기계학회 2018 한국농업기계학회 학술발표논문집 Vol.23 No.1

During tillage operations, draft force contributes hugely to the operational cost. From previous research, draft energy takes more than 50% of the total energy required for tillage and seed bed preparations. Hence accurate knowledge of draft force (DF_P) requirement for tillage implements is a useful tool for machinery selection, matching of implements to tractor etc. The purpose of this research was to measure the draft force requirement and develop a model equation to predict draft force requirement of compact disc harrow. An EWX 10000F winch was used to provide the draft (Pull) force which was powered by a 24volts battery. The draft force was measured using a load cell which transmitted the measured values to an AND ad 4532B indicator. The draft force of the compact disc harrow was measured at three different levels of soil moisture content (SMC); Low SMC - (5-7%, 9-11% 13-15%), Medium SMC- (25-27%, 29-31%, 33-35%) and High SMC - (40-42%,44-46%, 48-50%) with speed(S) of 0.06m/s, 0.09m/s, and 1.12m/s. The results obtained were statistically analyzed and it showed that the lowest draft force in all three speeds occurred at 26%SMC and 41% SMC with a force about 600N and 850N respectively. A multi- variable regression equation was developed after the regression analysis. The regression equation DFP=416.78 + 6.94^*(SMC) + 3165.37^*(S) with R²=0.478and p-value = 0.0025 was recommended to be used as the equation for predicting draft force requirement of compact disc harrow.