This study analyzed the efficiency of various types of expenditures such as human labor, energy, total, and expenditures in farms which are classified into six groups based on their economic size. Analysis was performed during the period 2004-2015 for farm holdings from the entire area of Poland, and those participating in the Farm Accountancy Data Network. It was determined, that the total efficiency has a decreasing tendency in all holding groups. Both the holdings with the lowest as well as largest economic size in case of turbulence in financial markets (e.g., the financial crisis of 2007 notsign 2009) obtain the total expenditure efficiency below 1. The efficiency of human labor expenditures has a tendency to increase through the entire period of analysis for the largest holdings. The direct expenditures are most efficiently used in the smallest holdings, and they are slightly over 50% higher than in the largest holdings.
The issue of connecting two collaborating tools in the scope of determination of forces occurring in the hitch of the tools was discussed. The analysis was carried out at the example of a modular device for soil application of digestate. In one working pass the device enables to organize a work enabling evenly spreading the digestate at the soil surface, mixing it and covering with soil. Finite Element Method (FEM) numerical methods have been used for the development of a construction which allowed, among others, the determination of loads at the point of the tools connection. Carrying out experimental research in real conditions of operation, stress distribution and force values occurring in connection were determined. The force values obtained were verified with computer analysis carried out at the 3D model of the device, demonstrating the correctness of the assumptions made.
The paper presents evaluation of the quality characteristics of briquettes produced from selected wood waste, whose use is part of a sustainable farming policy. The following types of wood waste were used in the study: poplar sawdust, poplar bark, oak shavings and oak bark. In order to crush the poplar and oak bark, a beater shredder was used. Briquettes were made using hydraulic piston briquetting machine. During the briquetting process, the working pressure was 8 MPa. Depending on the type of waste used, the briquettes produced differed in their qualities. Based on the analysis of the obtained results, it was found that the characteristics of produced briquettes were influenced by such factors as the type of raw material, its humidity and fragmentation. The best quality features characterized briquettes made of oak bark and the least advantageous of oak shavings.
Technical progression in sustainable agriculture requires the need for search more and newer analytical methods in order to reduce time of analysis and to minimize costs routine of tests for the highest accuracy of the result.Infrared (IR) and near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy provides such possibility.The paper presents a method of measuring the basic quality parameters (moisture, content of protein, fat, damage and contamination of raw material) of winter rapeseed for cultivars: Abacus, Bellevue, and Adriana+Catanaconcoction.Statistically significant differences resulting from various measurement systems between results obtained by means of sieve methods and infrared (IR), were observed.A three-dimensional way of measuring the seed shape used in three dimensional particle size analyzer (AWK 3D) suggests that it is more accurate than the measurement applying two-dimensional method used in the shaker with a set of sieves.
The work investigates possibilities of plant products quality assessment by means of neural networks. A quick method of plant products assessment was proposed based on the correlations occurring between selected features of plant products and neural modelling. This approach facilitates sustainable agricultural production, which often requires making decisions based on approximate but quick assessment of the quality of produced or processed products. The method of quality assessment is presented using changes in the features of pumpkin being dried as an example. Changes in selected features of chemical composition and colour were analysed, including correlations between them. Initial analysis involved cluster analysis, which allowed for grouping data into cases characterized by similar quality. Based on the analysis, a neural model was developed, which, based on easily obtainable features, allowed for classification of products according to their quality features. This approach was positively verified based on the results of chemical composition and quality assessment performed using statistical analysis of data.
The study into the use of an active substance per hectare was performed to examine the matches of plant protection products applied by agricultural sprayers, containing the same active substance but with a different formulation. The doses of fungicides and herbicides registered in Poland to protect winter wheat against two economically important pests were analyzed. On the basis of the results it is difficult to draw any definite conclusions regarding the influence of formulation on the dose of active substance used per hectare. In some cases, use of a different formulation may be connected with the different amount of an active substance used per hectare. However, the results strongly differed depending on the analyzed active substances. It seems that more cases should be examined to determine whether there are any discernible patterns.
The paper analyses an orcharding farm that specializes in apple trees production. Based on the data for the period of 2008-2014, the authors analysed the main factors that might have impact on apple yield. A computer system for assessment of apple trees cultivation efficiency that aids in making appropriate decisions allowing for obtaining the highest yield, was proposed. The system was developed using selected Data Mining techniques such as cluster analysis and Kohonen networks. The system may be useful for decision support in sustainable horticulture production, and thus contributes to the development of sustainable agriculture. Although its quality is acceptable it still requires improvement using a bigger dataset.
An experiment was conducted to study the effect of inlet fuel temperature on the performance of diesel engine for tractor (Anter-71). The experiment was carried out during June, 2014 in College of Agriculture, University of Baghdad. Three levels of diesel fuel temperature 40, 45, and 50 ̊C, and two levels of load (without load and with load), with variant engine speeds (1000, 1500, 2000 rpm) were used as factors. Engine performance that was studied included fuel consumption FC, exhaust gas temperature EGT and noise intensity were measured at different fuel temperatures and loads. Treatment data were analyzed by using (SAS 2000) statistical program, factorial design under Complete Randomized Design (CRD), with three replications and Least Significant Differences LSD; 5% were used. Results obtained showed that changing fuel temperature from 50 ̊C to 45 ̊C and 40 ̊C led to a significant reduction in fuel consumption, exhaust gas temperature and noise intensity. A comparison between working tractor engine with load and without load showed that loading tractor engine led to significant increase on FC, EGT, and noise intensity. INTRODUCTION Diesel engines generally draw more fuel than is needed for the combustion process, the excess fuel drawn is designed to cool and lubricate the engine fuel system. Mamat et al. (2009) mentioned that after circulation through the engine, fuel is returned to the fuel tank, this “returns” fuel, if untreated, will carry heat rejected by the fuel system and can over an extended run period and elevate the temperature of the fuel stored in the tank. Therefore as inlet temperature exceed (37.8 0C), fuel density and lubricity decrease, so diesel fuel expands slightly in volume and its temperature increases like all liquids. Pedley et al. (1989) showed that thermal expansion for diesel fuel coefficient equal to 0.00083 liter per Celsius degree and engine power can de-rate as much as 1% for every 5.6 0C in fuel temperature increasing. At approximately 73 0C some engines are automatically shut down by their protection systems, since diesel fuel provides cooling for the Injection system, the temperature of the fuel may vary considerably due to engine operating temperature. As fuel temperature increased, fuel density and viscosity were decreased, along with the lubrication capabilities of the fuel. There are many apparatuses and devices or methods were used to control the inlet and outlet fuel temperature for diesel engine. Chyo et al. (2011) were gained a patent by designing an apparatus to cool the fuel by fan and controlling the coolant pump. Rafidah (2012) reported that, most engine manufactures specify a maximum inlet fuel temperature to allow a full output rating. Aworanti et al. (2012) showed that as fuel temperature increased, the fuel density would be decreased that led to increase fuel consumption. Due to, higher injection pressure is required to gain an equal fuel mass in order to produce the same required brake power, that cause to increase engine fuel consumption. Oluwa Funmilayo (2012) defined load as external resistance which specify engine is subjected in practical engine operation, to produce useful work, Pawan (2009) also observed an increase in fuel consumption with present of load, engine running with load consumed more fuel than
Analysis of the wheat, rye, triticale, buckwheat straw and meadow hay pellets combustion process was carried out for hydrogen emissions. Tests were performed in grate upper combustion boiler. The air was supplied through a ventilator beneath the grate at the rate of 1.5 m.s(-1). Differences in obtained hydrogen amounts in exhausted gas were observed: from 216 to 266 ppm, on average. This substance presence was usually characterized by negative correlation with exhaust gas temperature, while positive with the air excess. This aspect emissions hydrogen is very important for achieving the goals of sustainable agriculture that meet current and future human needs. It would be advisable to enhance tests using other forms of combusted bio-fuels, as well as to carry out the analyses of other components of exhausted gas generated during combustion.
The work presents the relationship between the intensity of production organization and technical equipment of Polish agriculture. The intensity of production organization was determined using B. Kopec's indicator method. Updates have been introduced to this method in order to reflect the changes that have occurred in Polish agriculture in the last thirty years. The state of farm mechanization and its changes were determined on the basis of the data collected by the Central Statistical Office (GUS) of Poland. The relationship between agriculture organization intensity and the basic indicators characterizing farm mechanization was analyzed.
The study was carried out in 2014 2016 in Perespa, Poland. Soybean seeds Mavka cultivar were sown in the third decade of April. During the growing season four biostimulants: Kelpak SL (Eclonia maxima extract), Terra Sorb Complex (free amino acids), Atonik (phenolic compounds) and Tytanit (titanium) were used in four combinations each other, using lower or higher concentrations and single or double foliar spraying. All the results were compared to control (no biostimulant applied). After harvesting the plants, the antiradical activity of the seeds against ABTS •+cation radical was evaluated. Biostimulators enhance the yield quality without affecting the environment, thus they are recommended for use in sustainable agriculture. It was determined that the foliar application of Terra Sorb Complex had the most favorable influence on the studied property.
The risk related to the presence of low frequency electromagnetic fields can be a serious OSH risk within different kind of agro-industrial plants. In this paper, an experimental analysis aimed at measuring electromagnetic fields in the productive areas of an olive mill recently built in the Bari district was accomplished. The analysis’ main goal was to assess the workers’ health risk level due to the presence of extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (30 ÷ 300 Hz) mainly due to the presence of electrical distribution lines and electric motors operating at a frequency of 50 Hz with reference to a specific type of processing plants, widely spread in the Apulia region. A first analysis of the spatial layout of the electric machine was carried out, referring to their duty cycles and to workers’ tasks (taking into particular account the working places) identifying 12 most significant points in which the measurements of effective value of the electrical and magnetic field would have been carried out. Effective values of the electric field (ERMS) as well as effective values of the magnetic induction field (BRMS) measured in each testing point, were both significantly lower than the limit values required by law. Peak values of both the electric field (Epeak) and the magnetic induction field (Bpeak) measured in the different testing points at the frequency of 50Hz, were lower than the corresponding effective values ERMS and BRMS. The results of the tests highlight that, inside the analysed olive mill, in the period of its maximum productivity, risks for the workers’ health related to their exposure to low frequency electric and magnetic fields are not relevant.
In developed countries, the mechanized agriculture is highly dependent on fuel. Unfortunately, the heterogeneity and complexity inherent to agricultural process do not help the actors (researchers, counselors, farmers) to improve fuel consumption efficiency in the farms. In order to measure precisely the use of the tractors this study proposes to rely on the embedded CAN bus technology and RTK positioning system implementing modern tractors to record fully characterized data of the engine load. This study demonstrates the feasibility of such proposition by testing specific dataloggers and software in-situ and by decoding signals to data and characterizing them.
An overview of lists of plant protection products used in organic farming in the European Union was carried out in 2017. For the analysis, the lists of products approved for organic farming protection from 8 European Union Member States were used: Belgium, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Luxemburg and Slovakia. It was found that in all the analysed Member States 10 different plant oils were recommended for use in organic farming. Nine of 10 were placed on the market as the only active substance of the plant protection products, in addition to 4 cases where plant oils were registered in the mixtures. There were very significant differences among the Member States as to availability of plant oils, as 6 out of 10 are registered in 1 country only. The plant oils registered in more than one Member State were rapeseed oil, mint oil, orange oil and fennel oil. Plant oils were registered for use in 7 different formulations. Emulsifiable concentrate was definitely the most popular among the formulations.
The aim of this research was to evaluate the potential of mechanical weeding for the cultivation of sugar beet by comparing four weed control programmes (one chemical, two mixed (chemical and mechanical) and one mechanical). Under the dry conditions of 2017, the mixed conditions displayed the best effectiveness (more than 97%), using less herbicide and costing (sic)30/ha less than the chemical scheme, while producing a yield identical to that obtained with fully chemical protection. Conversely, the mechanical programme was ineffective (69%), especially on weeds in the crop row (23% effectiveness only); while its cost was lower ((sic)180/ha), it led to a loss of sugar yield of 18.9% compared to chemical weed control.
Thermoplastic starch (TPS) was prepared from native potato starch:glycerol:keratin (70:20:10 wt.%) blends and processed using a modified single screw extruder at L/D-=16. Recycled polypropylene was mixed with TPS at the ratio of 90:10 and 60:40 and re-granulated at various screw speeds in the extrusion-cooking process. The obtained composites were shaped into big flowerpots using an injection-molding machine. The samples collected from the external pot surface were tested with puncture tests to evaluate the mechanical properties of the material. The addition of 10% of starch-based biopolymer to the recycled PP enhanced the mechanical properties of the tested flowerpots. Selecting the proper composition and processing conditions may help to manage production of pots more sustainable. The results also confirmed the possibility to increase the TPS content up to 40% in horticultural containers and the option of processing such composites with injection-molding as more environmentally friendly than using conventional polymers.
The operational effectivity of pesticide application on small areas of forests (<5 ha) could be improved e.g. by using gyroplanes. The gyroplane is powered by standard automotive fuel, and can be operated without airport infrastructure. For safe and efficient use of such technology an elaboration of working settings is needed. Three most widely used insecticides for protection of Polish forests were tested. In the conducted study new applications parameters (forward speed, flow rate) adapted to gyroplane were used. The rotating atomisers AU 7000 were adapted to gyroplane, to receive the application of insecticides, similar to quality received by aircraft. Additionally, the same dose rates of tank mixes were tested, but for application speed optimized for gyroplane (100 km/h).
Unequal distribution of the liquid outflow from the slotted spray nozzle forms a wide spectrum of drops.This affects the level and uniformity of spraying and the degree of drip drift compensation.The purpose of the work was to determine a method of stabilizing the speed of liquid outflow from the nozzle.The result of the study was construction of a speed stabilizer -an insert mounted in the nozzle.Advantage of the patented design is, besides stabilizing the liquid outflow speed, also a uniform flux of liquid flow over the entire length of the nozzle.
Farming presupposes good acquaintance with the use of machinery, equipment, animal care and work schedules to safely perform duties on integrated farms. This is the reason why the farmers' knowledge of occupational health and safety, including the use and application of personal protective equipment, has become a subject of the research. A survey research was conducted among 90 farmers working on an integrated farm or being interested in such a system. Questions concerned harmful and hazardous factors in the work environment, the principles of safe working with animals, use of personal protection measures, knowledge and implementation of safety signs, pre-medical aid, and participation in training in innovative agriculture. The most active age group of respondents were farmers up to 50 years of age who were willing to participate in the study by providing exhaustive answers. Most of the farmers have a basic or secondary education and a large amount of their knowledge comes from their own experience. The greatest role in implementing the assumptions of the integrated management system plays the human factor together with its own state of awareness in the field discussed.
The extrusion-cooking technique was used for the processing of corn-oat blends with three various screw configurations.The procedure involved the assessment of the effects of the processing conditions on energy consumption.The initial moisture level ranged from 16 to 22% and the screw speed applied during the processing varied from 80 to 120 rpm.Corn-oat gruels were tested for water absorption and bulk density.A significant effect was reported of the initial moisture and screw speed on energy demand as well as on the physical properties of extrudates.The use of the shortest version of the extruder requires more energy than with the longer ones.Corn-oat instant gruels processed with an elongated barrel showed lower water absorption compared with the shorter one.The most important parameter having an influence on the product quality was the initial moisture content of extruded blends.The obtained results can be helpful in management of sustainable settings, low-energy processing conditions and the proper characteristics of extruded instant corn-oat gruels.
