Journal Description
Agriculture
Agriculture
is an international, scientific peer-reviewed open access journal published monthly online by MDPI.
- Open Access— free for readers, with article processing charges (APC) paid by authors or their institutions.
- High Visibility: indexed within Scopus, SCIE (Web of Science), PubAg, AGRIS, RePEc, and other databases.
- Journal Rank: JCR - Q1 (Agronomy) / CiteScore - Q2 (Plant Science)
- Rapid Publication: manuscripts are peer-reviewed and a first decision is provided to authors approximately 17.7 days after submission; acceptance to publication is undertaken in 2.4 days (median values for papers published in this journal in the second half of 2023).
- Recognition of Reviewers: reviewers who provide timely, thorough peer-review reports receive vouchers entitling them to a discount on the APC of their next publication in any MDPI journal, in appreciation of the work done.
- Companion journals for Agriculture include: Poultry, Grasses and Crops.
Impact Factor:
3.6 (2022);
5-Year Impact Factor:
3.6 (2022)
Latest Articles
Design and Optimization of Power Shift Tractor Starting Control Strategy Based on PSO-ELM Algorithm
Agriculture 2024, 14(5), 747; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14050747 (registering DOI) - 10 May 2024
Abstract
Power shift tractors have been widely used in agricultural tractors in recent years because of their advantages of uninterrupted power during shifting, high transmission efficiency and high stability. As one of the indispensable driving states of the power shift tractor, the starting process
[...] Read more.
Power shift tractors have been widely used in agricultural tractors in recent years because of their advantages of uninterrupted power during shifting, high transmission efficiency and high stability. As one of the indispensable driving states of the power shift tractor, the starting process requires a small impact and a starting speed that meets the driver’s requirements. In this paper, aiming at such contradictory requirements, the starting control strategy of a power shift tractor is formulated with the goal of starting quality and the driver’s intention. Firstly, the identification characteristics of the driver under three starting intentions are obtained by a real vehicle test. An extreme learning machine with fast identification speed and short training time is used to establish the basic driver’s intention identification model. For the instability of the identification results of the Extreme Learning Machine (ELM), the particle swarm optimization algorithm (PSO) is used to optimize the ELM. The optimized extreme learning machine model has an accuracy of 96.891% for driver’s intention identification. The wet clutch is an important part of the power shift gearbox. In this paper, the starting control strategy knowledge base of the starting clutch is established by a combination of bench tests and simulation tests. Through the fuzzy algorithm, the driver’s intention is combined with the starting control strategy. Different drivers’ intentions will affect the comprehensive evaluation model of the clutch (the single evaluation index of the clutch is: the maximum sliding power, the sliding power, the speed stability time, the impact degree), thus affecting the final choice of the starting clutch control strategy considering the driver’s intention. On this basis, this paper studies and establishes the MPC starting controller for the power shift gearbox. Compared with the linear control strategy, the PSO-ELM-fuzzy weight starting strategy proposed in this paper can reduce the maximum sliding friction power by 45%, the sliding friction power by 69.45%, and the speed stabilization time by 0.11 s. The effectiveness of the starting control strategy considering the driver’s intention proposed in this paper to improve the starting quality of the power shift tractor is verified.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Design, Optimization and Analysis of Agricultural Machinery)
►
Show Figures
Open AccessArticle
Modeling Positions and Orientations of Cantaloupe Flowers for Automatic Pollination
by
Nguyen Duc Tai, Nguyen Minh Trieu and Nguyen Truong Thinh
Agriculture 2024, 14(5), 746; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14050746 (registering DOI) - 10 May 2024
Abstract
An automatic system for cantaloupe flower pollination in greenhouses is proposed to meet the requirements of automatic pollination. The system consists of a mobile platform, robotic manipulator, and camera that reaches the flowers to detect and recognise their external features. The main task
[...] Read more.
An automatic system for cantaloupe flower pollination in greenhouses is proposed to meet the requirements of automatic pollination. The system consists of a mobile platform, robotic manipulator, and camera that reaches the flowers to detect and recognise their external features. The main task of the vision system is to detect the position and orientation of the flower in Cartesian coordinates, allowing the manipulator to reach the pose and perform pollination. A comprehensive method to ensure the accuracy of the pollination process is proposed that accurately determines the position and orientation of cantaloupe flowers in real environments. The vision system is used to capture images, detect the flower, and recognise its state according to its external features, such as size, colour, and shape, thereby providing appropriate nozzle access during pollination. The proposed approach begins with a segmentation method designed to precisely locate and segment the target cantaloupe flowers. Subsequently, a mathematical model is used to determine the key points that are important for establishing the growth orientation of each flower. Finally, an inverse-projection method is employed to convert the position of the flower from a two-dimensional (2D) image into a three-dimensional (3D) space, providing the necessary position for the pollination robot. The experimental process is conducted in a laboratory and proves the efficacy of the cantaloupe flower segmentation method, yielding precision, recall, and F1 scores of 87.91%, 90.76%, and 89.31%, respectively. Furthermore, the accuracy of the growth-orientation prediction method reaches approximately 86.7%. Notably, positional errors in 3D space predominantly fall within the allowable range, resulting in a successful pollination rate of up to 83.1%.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Advances in Industrial Crops Physioecology and Sustainable Cultivation)
Open AccessArticle
ISSR-Assisted Breeding of Excellent New Strains of Ganoderma lingzhi through Single-Spore Selfing
by
Jintao Li, Sheng Wang, Qi Fan, Linling Liu, Yanliang Gao, Changwei Sun and Meixia Yan
Agriculture 2024, 14(5), 745; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14050745 (registering DOI) - 10 May 2024
Abstract
To improve our understanding of the selfing of G. lingzhi basidiospore monokaryons and increase the efficiency of breeding excellent strains, 52 basidiospore monokaryons were isolated from a commercial G. lingzhi strain (laboratory number P). A severe partial segregation was observed using the chi-square
[...] Read more.
To improve our understanding of the selfing of G. lingzhi basidiospore monokaryons and increase the efficiency of breeding excellent strains, 52 basidiospore monokaryons were isolated from a commercial G. lingzhi strain (laboratory number P). A severe partial segregation was observed using the chi-square test, the growth rate of the monokaryotic strains was normally distributed, and colonies exhibited 5 forms. The genetic diversity of the monokaryotic strains was further demonstrated by intersimple sequence repeat (ISSR) analysis, and the similarity coefficient was in the range of 0.49–1, which was consistent with the genotype classification results. In total, 14 AxBx monokaryotic strains were randomly selected for selfing with the 1 AyBy strain when the similarity coefficient was 0.76, and a total of 14 offspring were obtained via selfing, all of which were incompatible with their parents. The traits of the selfing progenies were diverse. The mycelial growth rate, fruiting body yield, and polysaccharide, triterpene, and sterol contents were the main indices. According to the membership function value, 71.43% of the selfing progeny were super parent, and the A88 strain with the best comprehensive traits was selected. These findings prove that ISSR molecular marker-assisted breeding reduces blindness, greatly reduces workload, and improves work efficiency.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Genetics and Breeding of Edible Mushroom)
►▼
Show Figures
Figure 1
Open AccessArticle
Phenotyping the Anthocyanin Content of Various Organs in Purple Corn Using a Digital Camera
by
Zhengxin Wang, Ye Liu, Ke Wang, Yusong Wang, Xue Wang, Jiaming Liu, Cheng Xu and Youhong Song
Agriculture 2024, 14(5), 744; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14050744 - 10 May 2024
Abstract
Anthocyanins are precious industrial raw materials. Purple corn is rich in anthocyanins, with large variation in their content between organs. It is imperative to find a rapid and non-destructive method to determine the anthocyanin content in purple corn. To this end, a field
[...] Read more.
Anthocyanins are precious industrial raw materials. Purple corn is rich in anthocyanins, with large variation in their content between organs. It is imperative to find a rapid and non-destructive method to determine the anthocyanin content in purple corn. To this end, a field experiment with ten purple corn hybrids was conducted, collecting plant images using a digital camera and determining the anthocyanin content of different organ types. The average values of red (R), green (G) and blue (B) in the images were extracted. The color indices derived from RGB arithmetic operations were applied in establishing a model for estimation of the anthocyanin content. The results showed that the specific color index varied with the organ type in purple corn, i.e., ACCR for the grains, BRT for the cobs, ACCB for the husks, R for the stems, ACCB for the sheaths and BRT for the laminae, respectively. Linear models of the relationship between the color indices and anthocyanin content for different organs were established with R2 falling in the range of 0.64–0.94. The predictive accuracy of the linear models, assessed according to the NRMSE, was validated using a sample size of 2:1. The average NRMSE value was 11.68% in the grains, 13.66% in the cobs, 8.90% in the husks, 27.20% in the stems, 7.90% in the sheaths and 15.83% in the laminae, respectively, all less than 30%, indicating that the accuracy and stability of the model was trustworthy and reliable. In conclusion, this study provided a new method for rapid, non-destructive prediction of anthocyanin-rich organs in purple corn.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Applications of Optical Sensors and Machine Learning in Agricultural Monitoring—2nd Edition)
►▼
Show Figures
Figure 1
Open AccessArticle
Staged Temperature- and Humidity-Controlled Combined Infrared Hot-Air Drying (TH-IRHAD) of Sea Buckthorn Reduces Drying Time, Energy Consumption, and Browning
by
Lichun Zhu, Xinyu Ji, Junzhe Gu, Xuetao Zhang, Mengqing Li, Qian Zhang, Xuhai Yang and Zhihua Geng
Agriculture 2024, 14(5), 743; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14050743 - 10 May 2024
Abstract
Sea buckthorn has garnered significant attention owing to its nutritional richness; however, it has a limited shelf life. In this study, the drying process of sea buckthorn was categorized into the first-, second-, and third-drying stages. Regression models were employed to examine the
[...] Read more.
Sea buckthorn has garnered significant attention owing to its nutritional richness; however, it has a limited shelf life. In this study, the drying process of sea buckthorn was categorized into the first-, second-, and third-drying stages. Regression models were employed to examine the effects of the drying temperature, relative humidity of the medium, and prolonged high humidity retention on various parameters during the first- and second-drying stages. Comparative analysis revealed that the optimal drying conditions for the first-drying stage of sea buckthorn were a drying temperature of 80 °C, relative humidity of 28%, and high humidity retention time of 84 min. In the second-drying phase, the optimal conditions were a drying temperature of 78 °C, a relative humidity of 17%, and a high humidity retention time of 84 min. One-way optimization revealed that the optimal drying temperature for the third-drying stage was 70 °C. The implementation of temperature- and humidity-controlled infrared hot-air drying (TH-IRHAD) techniques considerably improved the outcomes. Specifically, the drying time, energy consumption, and degree of browning decreased by 34.43%, 36.29%, and 21.43%, respectively, whereas the brightness, rehydration ratio, total flavonoid content, and total phenol content increased by 8.94%, 16.99%, 20.57%, and 28.32%, respectively. Staged TH-IRHAD substantially reduced the drying duration, increased the efficiency, and enhanced the drying quality.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Agricultural Technology)
►▼
Show Figures
Figure 1
Open AccessArticle
Synergistic Effects of Exogenous Nutrient Ions on the Real-Time Cadmium Extraction by an Accumulator
by
Siqi Wang, Huiping Dai, Dandan Ji, Shuang Cui, Chengzhi Jiang, Lidia Skuza, Lianzhen Li, Shuhe Wei and Lijun Zhang
Agriculture 2024, 14(5), 742; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14050742 - 9 May 2024
Abstract
Bidens tripartita L. is a cadmium (Cd) accumulator. However, the real-time influx or efflux of Cd2+ around its root apex has not yet been performed. The object of this experiment was to compare the roles of added ions in solution on dynamic
[...] Read more.
Bidens tripartita L. is a cadmium (Cd) accumulator. However, the real-time influx or efflux of Cd2+ around its root apex has not yet been performed. The object of this experiment was to compare the roles of added ions in solution on dynamic Cd extraction by B. tripartita root tip. Quartz sand was used to grow the seedling of B. tripartite. The Cd concentrations of all samples were determined by using ICP-OES after digestion. The Cd2+ influx around the root apex was measured in vivo, i.e., using non-invasive micro-test technology (NMT). The results showed that the Cd2+ influx was found to be decreased by 35.9%, 43.7%, 20.6%, and 57.5% under 10 μM Cd combined with high content Ca2+, Mg2+, Fe3+, or K+ (16 mM, 8 mM, 0.5 mM, 18 mM, respectively), compared to that under 10 μM Cd stress. But Cd treatments with low content ions with 0.05 mM Fe3+ or 0.5 mM S increased the Cd2+ influx in roots by 20.5% and 34.6%, respectively. It was also found that Cd treatment with high concentrations of Ca2+ or K+ increased the shoot biomass of B. tripartita seedlings. Chl a and b contents were significantly decreased in the Cd treatments with low concentrations of Fe3+ or S compared to those under Cd stress alone, and the dehydrogenase activity of the roots decreased in the treatment of Cd with 0.05 mM Fe3+ or 0.5 mM S. Our results indicate that the addition of 0.05 mM Fe3+ or 0.5 mM S promoted Cd2+ influx and Cd uptake by B. tripartita. Unlike traditional measurement, the Cd2+ movements of three-dimensional space around the B. tripartita root tip had been performed by NMT. It was suggested that the effects of S and Fe3+ on the remediation potential of B. tripartita need to be further researched in the future. The results of this study provided a real-time and micro-dynamic theoretical basis for phytoremediation mechanisms.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Agricultural Soils)
►▼
Show Figures
Figure 1
Open AccessArticle
Preliminary Assessment of Alfalfa Crop Trap Strategy in Regulating Natural Predators for Aphis gossypii Glover Control
by
Xuelin Zhou, Jianqin Zhou, Xiaohu Guo, Jiaqi Wu, Hongtao Jia, Deying Ma and Pingan Jiang
Agriculture 2024, 14(5), 741; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14050741 - 9 May 2024
Abstract
Aphis gossypii Glover is an important pest in cotton plantations. Medicago sativa L. (alfalfa) is a host plant for the aphid Aphis craccivora Koch and may prove to be an important reservoir of natural enemies to combat this pest. The objective of this
[...] Read more.
Aphis gossypii Glover is an important pest in cotton plantations. Medicago sativa L. (alfalfa) is a host plant for the aphid Aphis craccivora Koch and may prove to be an important reservoir of natural enemies to combat this pest. The objective of this study was to analyze the impact of different mowing frequencies of alfalfa traps on A. gossypii and their natural enemies, using both ground survey data and UAV remote sensing data. The alfalfa was mowed twice to facilitate the transfer of this primary natural enemy to the cotton fields. Ground surveys were carried out every five days to gather data, while temporal niche and niche overlap methods were used for further analysis. Findings collected over a period ranging from day 31 to day 91 indicated that compared to their counterparts with no alfalfa traps, the cotton fields containing these pest control measures demonstrated a reduction in the A. gossypii population of approximately 16%. A survey conducted 5 days after mowing the alfalfa on days 61 and 71 found that the cotton fields with alfalfa traps experienced a 24.14% and 26.09% reduction in A. gossypii numbers. In contrast, the cotton fields without alfalfa traps experienced a 76.92% and 55.08% increase in cotton aphid numbers during the same period. It is noteworthy that the cotton fields with alfalfa traps showed a delayed onset of cotton aphid damage of approximately 5 days compared to the fields without alfalfa traps. This discovery has significant implications for understanding the ecological control mechanism of A. gossypii within alfalfa traps. Planting alfalfa traps around fields in Xinjiang could be promoted as a method to prevent and control aphid damage.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Crop Protection, Diseases, Pests and Weeds)
Open AccessArticle
Hourly Feeding Regime of Modern Genetics Lactating Sows: Enhancing Productive Performance, Welfare, and Piglet Growth in Smart Farm-Based Systems
by
Keiven Mark B. Ampode, Hong-Seok Mun, Eddiemar B. Lagua, Veasna Chem, Hae-Rang Park, Young-Hwa Kim, Md Sharifuzzaman, Md Kamrul Hasan and Chul-Ju Yang
Agriculture 2024, 14(5), 740; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14050740 - 9 May 2024
Abstract
Effective management of lactating sows significantly influences various aspects of swine production. This study compared the impact of an hourly feeding regime and a five-times-daily feeding regime on the productive performance, body condition, and welfare of lactating sows, as well as on the
[...] Read more.
Effective management of lactating sows significantly influences various aspects of swine production. This study compared the impact of an hourly feeding regime and a five-times-daily feeding regime on the productive performance, body condition, and welfare of lactating sows, as well as on the growth performance of their offspring. Twenty-eight lactating sows (Landrace × Yorkshire) were divided into two groups: Group 1 was fed five times a day, and Group 2 was fed according to an hourly regime. The data were analyzed using independent-samples T-tests and the Mann–Whitney U test using Statistical Analysis System (SAS, 2011, Version 9.3) software. An hourly feeding regime positively affected (p < 0.05) sows’ feed intake and body condition, significantly reducing the days from the weaning-to-estrus interval. Group 1 exhibited significantly higher (p < 0.05) reductions in backfat thickness (BFT) and body condition score (BCS) during the weaning period compared to Group 2. Additionally, significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed in regard to sow body weight loss, feed intake, piglet livability and mortality rate at weaning, sow index, and calculated milk yield. Feeding sows according to an hourly regime positively impacted their productive performance compared to those fed five times daily. No significant differences (p > 0.05) were recorded in regard to the total number of piglets born, live births, mummified piglets, stillbirths, piglet mortality, litter size at weaning, and sow feed conversion ratio (FCR). However, the number of piglets weaned per sow per year (PSY) was numerically higher in Group 2 (p > 0.05). The piglets from Group 2 had significantly higher (p < 0.05) weaning weights and exhibited lower feed intake, greater weight gain, improved average daily gain, and greater litter size weight gain than those from Group 1. Statistically, sows from Group 2 exhibited a higher frequency of standing (p < 0.05), which potentially contributed to the reduction in shoulder skin lesions in sows (p > 0.05). In conclusion, an hourly feeding regime could optimize sow productive performance, body condition, milk yield, welfare, and piglet growth in swine production.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Improvements of Reproduction and Growth Performance in Pig Farming)
Open AccessArticle
Design and Parameter Optimization of Rotary Double-Insertion Device for Small Arched Insertion Machine
by
Jianling Hu, Yan Gong and Xiao Chen
Agriculture 2024, 14(5), 739; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14050739 - 9 May 2024
Abstract
China’s small arched shed-building machinery suffers from a low degree of mechanization, building efficiency, and qualification rate for frame insertion. Therefore, we designed a rotary double-insertion device and established the equation for its motion trajectory. The analysis shows that in the rotary insertion
[...] Read more.
China’s small arched shed-building machinery suffers from a low degree of mechanization, building efficiency, and qualification rate for frame insertion. Therefore, we designed a rotary double-insertion device and established the equation for its motion trajectory. The analysis shows that in the rotary insertion process, a better point of entry into the soil exists. A simulation model was constructed in ADAMS, and the static and dynamic trajectories were analyzed. Additionally, the optimal planting and insertion speed ratios were determined. Considering the qualified rate of the insertion frame as the evaluation index to establish a regression model, we adopted a three-factor three-level experimental design and established the planting speed ratio, center distance of the planting arm, and length of the pressing rod arm as the main influencing factors. We used Design-Expert 13 to perform the analysis of variance and determined the optimal parameter combinations. The experimental results show that the planting speed ratio was 0.7, the center distance of the planting arm group was 554 mm, the length of the pressing rod arm was 923 mm, and the qualification rate of trellis planting at this time was 98.05%. The bench was adjusted and tested based on the optimal parameter combination. The average value of the measured trellis qualification rate was 96.73%, and the relative error between the test value and the theoretical optimization value was 1.32%, thereby verifying the reliability of the optimal parameter combination. Field verification test results show that the rotary double-insertion device had a planting speed ratio of 0.7 and a trellis qualified rate of 95.74% compared with the theoretical optimization value of 2.31%. Conforming to the design requirements of small arch shed-building machinery, the prototype operation performance was stable.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Agricultural Technology)
►▼
Show Figures
Figure 1
Open AccessArticle
Quercetin and Rutin as Tools to Enhance Antioxidant Profiles and Post-Priming Seed Storability in Medicago truncatula
by
Shraddha Shridhar Gaonkar, Federico Sincinelli, Alma Balestrazzi and Andrea Pagano
Agriculture 2024, 14(5), 738; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14050738 - 9 May 2024
Abstract
Seed priming is routinely applied to improve germination rates and seedling establishment, but the decrease in longevity observed in primed seeds constitutes a major drawback that compromises long-term storability. The optimization of priming protocols able to preserve primed seeds from aging processes represents
[...] Read more.
Seed priming is routinely applied to improve germination rates and seedling establishment, but the decrease in longevity observed in primed seeds constitutes a major drawback that compromises long-term storability. The optimization of priming protocols able to preserve primed seeds from aging processes represents a promising route to expand the scope of seed priming. The present work explores this possibility in the model legume Medicago truncatula by testing the effectiveness of quercetin- and rutin-supplemented seed priming at improving the response to subsequent artificial aging. In comparison with a non-supplemented hydropriming protocol, supplementation with quercetin or rutin was able to mitigate the effects of post-priming aging by increasing germination percentage and speed, improving seed viability and seedling phenotype, with consistent correlations with a decrease in the levels of reactive oxygen species and an increase in antioxidant potential. The results suggest that quercetin and rutin can reduce the effects of post-priming aging by improving the seed antioxidant profiles. The present work provides novel information to explore the physiological changes associated with seed priming and aging, with possible outcomes for the development of tailored vigorization protocols able to overcome the storability constrains associated with post-priming aging processes.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Seed Germination, Stress Tolerance and Aging: Physiological and Molecular Aspects)
Open AccessArticle
Sliding Mode Speed Control in Synchronous Motors for Agriculture Machinery: A Chattering Suppression Approach
by
David Marcos-Andrade, Francisco Beltran-Carbajal, Ivan Rivas-Cambero, Hugo Yañez-Badillo, Antonio Favela-Contreras and Julio C. Rosas-Caro
Agriculture 2024, 14(5), 737; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14050737 - 9 May 2024
Abstract
Synchronous motors have extended their presence in different applications, specifically in high-demand environments such as agronomy. These uses need advanced and better control strategies to improve energy efficiency. Within this context, sliding mode control has demonstrated effectiveness in electric machine control due to
[...] Read more.
Synchronous motors have extended their presence in different applications, specifically in high-demand environments such as agronomy. These uses need advanced and better control strategies to improve energy efficiency. Within this context, sliding mode control has demonstrated effectiveness in electric machine control due to its advantages in robustness and quick adaptation to uncertain dynamic system disturbances. Nevertheless, this control technique presents the undesirable chattering phenomenon due to the discontinuous control action. This paper introduces a novel speed integral control scheme based on sliding modes for synchronous motors. This approach is designed to track smooth speed profiles and is evaluated through several numeric simulations to verify its robustness against variable torque loads. This approach addresses using electric motors for different applications such as irrigation systems, greenhouses, pumps, and others. Moreover, to address the chattering problem, different sign function approximations are evaluated in the control scheme. Then, the most effective functions for suppressing the chattering phenomenon through extensive comparative analysis are identified. Integral compensation in this technique demonstrates improvement in motor performance, while sign function approximations show a chattering reduction. Different study cases prove the robustness of this control scheme for large-scale synchronous motors. The simulation results validate the proposed control scheme based on sliding modes with integral compensation, by achieving chattering reduction and obtaining an efficient control scheme against uncertain disturbances in synchronous motors for agronomy applications.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Smart Mechanization and Automation in Agriculture)
►▼
Show Figures
Figure 1
Open AccessArticle
Recognition of Plastic Film in Terrain-Fragmented Areas Based on Drone Visible Light Images
by
Xiaoyi Du, Denghong Huang, Li Dai and Xiandan Du
Agriculture 2024, 14(5), 736; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14050736 - 9 May 2024
Abstract
In order to meet the growing demand for food and achieve food security development goals, contemporary agriculture increasingly depends on plastic coverings such as agricultural plastic films. The remote sensing-based identification of these plastic films has gradually become a necessary tool for agricultural
[...] Read more.
In order to meet the growing demand for food and achieve food security development goals, contemporary agriculture increasingly depends on plastic coverings such as agricultural plastic films. The remote sensing-based identification of these plastic films has gradually become a necessary tool for agricultural production management and soil pollution prevention. Addressing the challenges posed by the complex terrain and fragmented land parcels in karst mountainous regions, as well as the frequent presence of cloudy and foggy weather conditions, the extraction efficacy of mulching films is compromised. This study utilized a DJI Mavic 2 Pro UAV to capture visible light images in an area with complex terrain features such as peaks and valleys. A plastic film sample dataset was constructed, and the U-Net deep learning model parameters integrated into ArcGIS Pro were continuously modified and optimized to achieve precise plastic film identification. The results are as follows: (1) Sample quantity significantly affects recognition performance. When the sample size is 800, the accuracy of plastic film extraction notably improves, with area accuracy reaching 91%, a patch quantity accuracy of 96.38%, and an IOU and F1-score of 85.89% and 94.20%, respectively, compared to the precision achieved with a sample size of 300; (2) Different learning rates, batch sizes, and iteration numbers have a certain impact on the training effectiveness of the U-Net model. The most suitable model parameters improved the training effectiveness, with the highest training accuracy achieved at a learning rate of 0.001, a batch size of 10, and 25 iterations; (3) Comparative experiments with the Support Vector Machine (SVM) model validate the suitability of U-Net model parameters and sample datasets for precise identification in rugged terrains with fragmented spatial distribution, particularly in karst mountainous regions. This underscores the applicability of the U-Net model in recognizing plastic film coverings in karst mountainous regions, offering valuable insights for agricultural environmental health assessment and green planting management in farmlands.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of UAVs in Precision Agriculture—2nd Edition)
►▼
Show Figures
Figure 1
Open AccessArticle
Improved Real-Time Models for Object Detection and Instance Segmentation for Agaricus bisporus Segmentation and Localization System Using RGB-D Panoramic Stitching Images
by
Chenbo Shi, Yuanzheng Mo, Xiangqun Ren, Jiahao Nie, Chun Zhang, Jin Yuan and Changsheng Zhu
Agriculture 2024, 14(5), 735; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14050735 - 9 May 2024
Abstract
The segmentation and localization of Agaricus bisporus is a precondition for its automatic harvesting. A. bisporus growth clusters can present challenges for precise localization and segmentation because of adhesion and overlapping. A low-cost image stitching system is presented in this research, utilizing a
[...] Read more.
The segmentation and localization of Agaricus bisporus is a precondition for its automatic harvesting. A. bisporus growth clusters can present challenges for precise localization and segmentation because of adhesion and overlapping. A low-cost image stitching system is presented in this research, utilizing a quick stitching method with disparity correction to produce high-precision panoramic dual-modal fusion images. An enhanced technique called Real-Time Models for Object Detection and Instance Segmentation (RTMDet-Ins) is suggested. This approach utilizes SimAM Attention Module’s (SimAM) global attention mechanism and the lightweight feature fusion module Space-to-depth Progressive Asymmetric Feature Pyramid Network (SPD-PAFPN) to improve the detection capabilities for hidden A. bisporus. It efficiently deals with challenges related to intricate segmentation and inaccurate localization in complex obstacles and adhesion scenarios. The technology has been verified by 96 data sets collected on a self-designed fully automatic harvesting robot platform. Statistical analysis shows that the worldwide stitching error is below 2 mm in the area of 1200 mm × 400 mm. The segmentation method demonstrates an overall precision of 98.64%. The planar mean positioning error is merely 0.31%. The method promoted in this research demonstrates improved segmentation and localization accuracy in a challenging harvesting setting, enabling efficient autonomous harvesting of A. bisporus.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Intelligent Agricultural Machinery and Robots: Embracing Technological Advancements for a Sustainable and Highly Efficient Agricultural Future)
►▼
Show Figures
Figure 1
Open AccessArticle
Macroplastics Quantity and Its Influence on Soil Nutrients in Typical Plastic Film Mulching Farmland in Northern Xinjiang
by
Tuo Jin, Xiaowei Liu, Jixiao Cui, Jianwei Peng and Qin Liu
Agriculture 2024, 14(5), 734; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14050734 - 9 May 2024
Abstract
Plastic film mulching (PFM) technology plays an important role in agricultural production in “drought and cold” regions, and macroplastics pollution in farmland has become a major concern affecting the sustainable development of regional agricultural production. However, there remains a lack of research on
[...] Read more.
Plastic film mulching (PFM) technology plays an important role in agricultural production in “drought and cold” regions, and macroplastics pollution in farmland has become a major concern affecting the sustainable development of regional agricultural production. However, there remains a lack of research on the effects of film application and macroplastics characteristics on soil nutrients in farmland. In this study, the characteristics of plastic film application and macroplastics, and their effect on soil nutrients in typical plastic film cropland in northern Xinjiang were explored by field research and a review of the relevant literature. It was found that the average annual growth rate was higher in areas where the amount, usage intensity, and proportion of plastic film were lower. The amount of plastic film input was a key factor affecting the amount of macroplastics. The macroplastics amount of plastic film was positively correlated with soil organic carbon content and negatively correlated with soil available phosphorus; however, it had no effect on soil available potassium. It is necessary to take immediate action regarding the characteristics of plastic film application and macroplastics and the impact of macroplastics on soil nutrients, in order to establish a response to the dual challenges of food security and sustainable agricultural development in terms of plastic film pollution prevention and control measures.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Agricultural Soils)
►▼
Show Figures
Figure 1
Open AccessArticle
Influence of Nonionic Surfactants on the Adsorption and Elution of Atrazine in Agriculturally Modified Soils
by
Na Zhao and Chengjian Yang
Agriculture 2024, 14(5), 733; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14050733 - 8 May 2024
Abstract
The Hetao Irrigation District, situated in the Northwest of China, serves as a significant commercial grain base. Widespread use of atrazine, an herbicide in the region, has resulted in significant environmental issues, impacting the ecosystem equilibrium and sustainable agricultural development. The co-adsorption of
[...] Read more.
The Hetao Irrigation District, situated in the Northwest of China, serves as a significant commercial grain base. Widespread use of atrazine, an herbicide in the region, has resulted in significant environmental issues, impacting the ecosystem equilibrium and sustainable agricultural development. The co-adsorption of the globally employed atrazine herbicide along with two nonionic surfactants, Tween-80 and Brij30, onto soils treated with HCl and H2O2 was investigated. The study revealed that the adsorption isothermal curves of surfactants on soil adhered to a two-stage adsorption model. Various types of adsorption isothermal curves, such as S-type or L-type, influenced the adsorption capacity of atrazine on the soil. Observations indicated that S-type or L-type isothermal curves of surfactants interconverted with alterations in soil polarity. Moreover, it has been uncovered that the adsorption properties of Tween 80 in the soil are intricately connected to its ability to elute atrazine within the same soil. This discovery provides theoretical support for a prudent reduction in herbicide usage in the Hetao Irrigation District in the upcoming years.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Agricultural Soils)
Open AccessArticle
The Coupling Effects of PGPR Inoculation and Foliar Spraying of Strigolactone in Mitigating the Negative Effect of Salt Stress in Wheat Plants: Insights from Phytochemical, Growth, and Yield Attributes
by
Shadi Sadat Mehrabi, Manijeh Sabokdast, Mohammad Reza Bihamta and Beáta Dedičová
Agriculture 2024, 14(5), 732; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14050732 - 8 May 2024
Abstract
Salt stress has detrimental effects on wheat plants at several physiological, biochemical, and molecular levels. This stress leads to suppressed growth, reduced grain yield, and poor quality of harvested grains. However, two approaches have shown promise for improving wheat salt tolerance: using a
[...] Read more.
Salt stress has detrimental effects on wheat plants at several physiological, biochemical, and molecular levels. This stress leads to suppressed growth, reduced grain yield, and poor quality of harvested grains. However, two approaches have shown promise for improving wheat salt tolerance: using a synthetic strigolactone analog called GR24 and applying plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR). GR24 plays a vital role in regulating plant growth and development and in defense against various stresses. Conversely, PGPR are beneficial bacteria that colonize the rhizosphere of plants and promote their growth through multiple mechanisms. In our study, we investigated the effects of salinity on the growth and yield traits of two different wheat cultivars and explored the combined role of PGPR and GR24 in mitigating the impact of salt stress. We created three different salinity levels using NaCl in pots (original, 5 dS m−1, and 10 dS m−1) and inoculated wheat seeds with a salt-tolerant Bacillus velezensis UTB96 strain. In addition, we applied 10 μM GR24 via foliar application during the pollination stage. Our observations showed that salt stress negatively affected wheat’s growth, yield, and phytochemical properties compared to the control. However, both single and combined applications of PGPR and GR24 mitigated the adverse effects of salinity. The combined treatment had a more substantial impact than either alone in inducing and improving biochemical and ionic characteristics. These included decreasing Na+ content in both leaves and roots, and EL, H2O2, and MDA content in leaves while increasing K+ content in both leaves and roots, growth and yield-related traits, RWC, chlorophyll pigments, total protein, soluble sugar, starch, proline, GB, and antioxidant enzyme activity (APX, POX, and CAT) of leaves. In conclusion, integrating PGPR and GR24 can efficiently induce salt tolerance and improve plant growth under stressed conditions. This combined approach has the potential for broad applicability in supporting plant growth in the presence of salt stress.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Crop Production)
Open AccessArticle
Study and Experiment on Screen Surface Homogenization Technology of Dislodged Material Based on Longitudinal Flow Threshing
by
Jiarui Ming, Qinghao He, Dong Yue, Jie Ma, Yanan Wang, Jianning Yin, Yipeng Cui and Duanyang Geng
Agriculture 2024, 14(5), 731; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14050731 - 8 May 2024
Abstract
Aiming at the problems of uneven distribution of dislodged material on the screen surface of longitudinal axial flow grain combine harvester, a large difference in material clearing time, and large clearing loss, a dislodged material homogenizing device that can realize dislodged material return
[...] Read more.
Aiming at the problems of uneven distribution of dislodged material on the screen surface of longitudinal axial flow grain combine harvester, a large difference in material clearing time, and large clearing loss, a dislodged material homogenizing device that can realize dislodged material return and homogenization at the rear of longitudinal axial flow was developed. (1) The structure and motion parameters of the reflux plate were determined, and simulation tests were carried out to verify them; (2) A test bench was set up, and the Box-Behnken test method was adopted to determine the influence law of each factor on the operating effect and the optimal parameter combination, and the results showed that the tilt angle of the return plate, motor speed, and amplitude had a significant influence on the distribution uniformity of the material on the screen surface; it was determined that the optimal combination of the angle of the return plate configuration was 28.7°, the speed of the motor was 247 r/min, the amplitude of the return plate was 18.3 mm, and the seed contamination rate was 0.48%. The optimum combination was determined to be 28.7°, 247 r/min, 18.3 mm, and 0.48% impurity rate; (3) under the conditions of the field test validation, the validation error is less than 5%, proving that it can effectively improve the performance of the clearing and reduce the rate of impurity content.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Agricultural Technology)
►▼
Show Figures
Figure 1
Open AccessArticle
The Nutritional Year-Cycle of Italian Honey Bees (Apis mellifera ligustica) in a Southern Temperate Climate
by
Stephane Knoll, Valeria Fadda, Fahad Ahmed and Maria Grazia Cappai
Agriculture 2024, 14(5), 730; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14050730 - 8 May 2024
Abstract
Nutrition is a key aspect influencing honey bee health and overwintering. Since honey bee seasonality in southern temperate climates represents a significant research gap, this study conducted long-term monitoring of honey bees in the Mediterranean (Sassari, Italy). Specifically, individual weight, fat body, and
[...] Read more.
Nutrition is a key aspect influencing honey bee health and overwintering. Since honey bee seasonality in southern temperate climates represents a significant research gap, this study conducted long-term monitoring of honey bees in the Mediterranean (Sassari, Italy). Specifically, individual weight, fat body, and size measurements (head, thorax, abdomen, and total body) were recorded monthly so to detect changes in the nutrient storage of worker bees during an annual cycle. Data were analysed according to sampling date, climate (temperature, precipitation, and daylength), and flower diversity and were conducted for nurse and forager bees separately. The nutritional honey bee year-cycle generally followed the nectar flow and showed two critical timepoints: summer and winter dearth. A short cessation of activities in late fall/early winter coupled with an increase in nutrient storage indicated the presence of winter bees. Precipitation was found to play an important role in honey bee nutrition in the study area through its impacts on colony demography and plants in particular illustrating how climate change could pose a threat to European honey bee populations in the future. These results provide valuable insights into the nutritional dynamics of Apis mellifera ligustica in the Mediterranean that could support management decisions to improve overwintering success and prevent unnecessary colony losses.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Farm Animal Production)
►▼
Show Figures
Figure 1
Open AccessArticle
Do Factor Misallocations Affect Food Security? Evidence from China
by
Tuanbiao Jiang, Min Zhong, Anrong Gao and Guoqun Ma
Agriculture 2024, 14(5), 729; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14050729 - 8 May 2024
Abstract
The reasonable allocation of grain production factors is of vital importance to food security and agricultural development. To assess the impact of agricultural factor misallocation on food security, this paper, based on the panel data from China spanning from 2005 to 2019, conducted
[...] Read more.
The reasonable allocation of grain production factors is of vital importance to food security and agricultural development. To assess the impact of agricultural factor misallocation on food security, this paper, based on the panel data from China spanning from 2005 to 2019, conducted a comprehensive evaluation of agricultural factor misallocation and food security coefficients across 31 provinces in China, using a spatial Durbin model to examine the effects of factor misallocations on food security. The findings are as follows: (1) Production factor misallocation has significant negative impacts on food security, among them, capital misallocation and labor misallocation inhibiting food security in the local and neighboring areas, and land misallocation has a significant negative impact on food security in local areas, while its spatial spillover effect is no longer significant. (2) Mechanism analysis shows that capital misallocation and labor misallocation hinder the development of transportation infrastructure and the transfer of rural labor, thereby reducing food security. Land misallocation has accelerated the construction of transportation infrastructure, promoted the migration of rural labor, and helped ensure food security. (3) The regional heterogeneity test reveals that capital misallocation and labor misallocation hinder food security in major grain-producing areas and both sides of the Hu Huanyong Line (Hu Line). Meanwhile, land misallocation hinders food security development in various grain-producing areas, as well as the southeast of the Hu Line. Based on the above conclusions, this paper proposes suggestions to improve the efficiency of land and labor resource allocation, accelerate the construction of transportation infrastructure, and encourage the transfer speed of surplus agricultural labor.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability and Energy Economics in Agriculture)
Open AccessArticle
Effects of Prey Switching at Different Stages on Life Parameters of Neoseiulus bicaudus
by
Zixin Nie, Li Zuo, Siqiong Tang, Chen Fang, Ying Ma, Xiang Li, Jianping Zhang and Jie Su
Agriculture 2024, 14(5), 728; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14050728 - 8 May 2024
Abstract
The phenomenon of prey switching is prevalent in the natural world and represents a strategic adaptation of predators to their environment. Neoseiulus bicaudus, a native predatory mite found in Xinjiang, serves as a natural enemy to numerous small pests. The utilization of
[...] Read more.
The phenomenon of prey switching is prevalent in the natural world and represents a strategic adaptation of predators to their environment. Neoseiulus bicaudus, a native predatory mite found in Xinjiang, serves as a natural enemy to numerous small pests. The utilization of Tyrophagus putrescentiae as an alternative prey for the mass breeding of N. bicaudus is employed to fulfill the demands of enhanced breeding efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Following the introduction of mass breed N. bicaudus into the agricultural ecosystem, there was a switching in the prey of N. bicaudus from Ty. putrescentiae to Tetranychus turkestani. The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of prey switching at various stages on N. bicaudus. This study employed the age-stage, two-sex life table to assess the life parameters of N. bicaudus undergoing prey switching at different stages. The results showed that the survival rate of N. bicaudus was significantly decreased, the developmental period was significantly prolonged, the fecundity was improved during prey switching, and the intrinsic rate of increase of N. bicaudus was significantly decreased. The negative effects of prey switching in larva and deutonymph stages were greater than those in protonymph and adult stages. The stage and age of N. bicaudus undergoing prey switching were positively correlated with the male ratio, and negatively correlated with the total preoviposition period and the mean generation time. The comprehension of prey switching effects on N. bicaudus can enhance our understanding of the predator adaptation to environmental changes and contribute to the artificial rearing and application of natural enemy.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Crop Protection, Diseases, Pests and Weeds)
►▼
Show Figures
Figure 1
Highly Accessed Articles
Latest Books
E-Mail Alert
News
Topics
Topic in
Agriculture, Energies, Forests, Land, Sustainability
Low Carbon Economy and Sustainable Development
Topic Editors: Liang Liu, Xudong Chen, Guangxu Li, Baoguo Du, Xiaoying Lai, Yingwei AiDeadline: 31 May 2024
Topic in
Agriculture, Animals, Dairy, Ruminants, Veterinary Sciences
Practical Methods for Accommodating Behavioral Needs and Improving the Wellbeing of Both Farm Animals
Topic Editors: Temple Grandin, Kurt VogelDeadline: 20 June 2024
Topic in
Agriculture, Agronomy, Animals, Fishes, Poultry
Sustainable Development of Natural Bioactive Compounds/Products in Animal Resource and Agriculture Science: Volume II
Topic Editors: In Ho Kim, Balamuralikrishnan Balasubramanian, Shanmugam SureshkumarDeadline: 30 June 2024
Topic in
Agriculture, Animals, Dietetics, Foods, Insects
Edible Insects as Feed and Food: Opportunities and Challenges
Topic Editors: Rifat Ullah Khan, Shabana NazDeadline: 31 July 2024
Conferences
Special Issues
Special Issue in
Agriculture
Biocontrol of Plant Pests and Pathogens
Guest Editors: Eirini Karanastasi, Danai GkiziDeadline: 10 May 2024
Special Issue in
Agriculture
Modern Reproductive Biotechnology Assists Farm Animal Conservation and Genetic Rescue
Guest Editors: Monika Trzcińska, Marcin SamiecDeadline: 15 May 2024
Special Issue in
Agriculture
Breeding of Horticultural Crops for Trait Improvement and Stress Resilience
Guest Editors: Evangelia Stavridou, Panagiotis Madesis, Irini Nianiou-ObeidatDeadline: 5 June 2024
Special Issue in
Agriculture
Integrated Management of Soil-Borne Diseases
Guest Editors: Aocheng Cao, Dongdong Yan, Wensheng FangDeadline: 10 June 2024