免耕播种机圆盘破茬刀工作性能分析与试验

针对圆盘破茬刀切茬速度影响破茬质量、切茬阻力难以定性分析、缺乏破茬刀实际应用的工作参数等问题,该文分析了破茬刀滑移对切茬速度的影响,建立了破茬刀垂直阻力和牵引阻力模型,以破茬深度和牵引阻力为试验指标进行了田间试验。结果表明：破茬刀滑移对切茬速度产生不利影响,牵引阻力在切割土壤时变化不大,在切割根茬时呈先增加后减小的变化趋势,破茬深度随配重和机组前进速度的增加而增大,牵引阻力影响因素的主次顺序为：配重、机组前进速度、破茬刀类型。为了保证破茬深度达到80 mm,田间作业时分配到破茬刀的最小质量及牵引阻力和破茬刀类型有关：平面圆盘为148 kg,最小牵引阻力为2.52 N;波纹圆盘为172 kg,最小牵引阻力为2.75 N;涡轮圆盘为160 kg以上,最小牵引阻力为2.65 N。该研究可为圆盘破茬刀及免耕播种机的设计和应用提供参考。     

Influence of failure mode induced by a horizontally operated single-tip penetrometer on measured soil resistance

Excessive soil compaction has negative effects for agriculture and the environment. Measurement of soil strength is a common indirect measure of soil compactness. In the context of precision farming, on-the-go soil mechanical resistance measurements using single- and multiple-tip horizontal sensors have been developed. It has been reported that there was a significant relationship between soil mechanical resistance values measured with both vertically operated cone penetrometer and horizontally operated sensors only for relatively deep layers. It was hypothesized that the differences in horizontally measured soil resistance in different soil layers could be explained by different failure modes. The objective of this research was to develop a horizontal soil mechanical resistance sensor and to observe the failure mode in front of it while penetrating soil at three different depths. A single-tip horizontal penetrometer was equipped with a 30° prismatic tip and had a base area of 324 mm². The prismatic tip was mounted horizontally to an S-shaped load cell housed inside a shank. A data-logging system was also developed to record measurements with 10 Hz sampling rate. The sensor was tested in a field with silty clay loam soil at three depths of 20, 25 and 30 cm. Cone index (CI) values were obtained with 1 cm depth increments and 1 m horizontal intervals along each transect for comparison using a standard cone penetrometer. The results showed that average horizontal soil mechanical resistance index (HRI) values for both depths of 20 and 25 cm were similar due to the brittle failure mode in both cases. However, when the tip was operated below the critical depth of the sensor, the value of HRI at 30 cm depth increased three times when compared with 20 or 25 cm depth values. This was due to change in failure mode from brittle to compressive mode below the critical depth. There was a significant relationship (R² = 0.75) between HRI and CI for the 30-cm depth, whereas for shallower depths the relation was not significant. It can be concluded that the correlation between measurements obtained with the vertically and horizontally operated penetrometers would be significant as long as both produced the same soil failure mode.     

Development of an instrumented blade system for mapping soil mechanical resistance represented as a second-order polynomial

An instrumented blade system for mapping soil mechanical resistance on-the-go was developed. The system consists of a cutting edge that transfers the load from cutting through soil media to a vertical shank equipped with an array of strain gage bridges. The resulting force is transferred between the cutting edge and the blade at three distinct locations and the soil mechanical resistance profile is modeled as a second-order polynomial. The geometry of the blade was determined using an optimization procedure minimizing the total error associated with potential strain gage noise. The instrument was built and calibrated using a set of known point loads. It was found that signal adjustment was needed in order to account for the mechanical transfer of force through the cutting edge. This adjustment was applied using a set of coefficients found through a multiple linear regression. Coefficients of determination, R², for regressions between adjusted and theoretical second-order profiles were greater than 0.99. Results of field evaluation and discussion on the potential applicability of the system developed will be presented in a follow-up publication.     

土壤阻力连续测试设备研制

为解决目前点采样方法获取的土壤压实信息少和信息获取速度慢的不足,该文研制了可快速连续测量土壤阻力（水平方向）以反映土壤压实程度的测试系统。系统包括机械部分、传感器和信息采集3部分。测试系统由拖拉机牵引,工作时连续测试速度1 m/s,土壤阻力信息采样频率为300 Hz,采样数据处理后与GPS定位数据对应存储。实验室试验表明,系统平均测试精度达93.4%。田间试验显示,测试系统性能可靠稳定,具有连续快速获取土壤压实程度信息并反映土壤压实程度空间分布的能力。定义的土壤阻力指数TRI 可以反映土壤的压实程度。     

On-line soil mechanical resistance mapping and correlation with soil physical properties for precision agriculture

Measurement of local soil strength may be used for real time regulation of tillage parameters in precision agriculture. Cartography of soil physical properties will also facilitate the study of their influence on plant development and yields. The aim of this research was to develop and test in field conditions a sensor measuring on-line soil strength variations. The sensor was constituted of a thin blade pulled in the soil at constant depth and speed and a beam which transferred the soil–blade forces to a transducer fixed on the machine. This transducer measured the draft force (F_x), the vertical force (F_z) and the moment (M_y). A field experiment was performed in 2 ha field of silt soil (Hesbaye, Belgium). A soil strength map of the field was established by pulling the sensor at 5 m interline separation by a tractor equipped with a DGPS receiver. The relationship between the recorded forces and several soil physical parameters was studied by identifying 10 control plots on the sensor track. In each of them, cone index penetrometry profiles and soil water content were measured. Soil samples were taken in the centre of the plots to determine cohesion and internal friction angle, simple compression resistance, Atterberg limits, granulometry and pF curves. Triaxial tests identified over-consolidated soils in plots situated in the pounds of the field. Based on the parameters measured in the other plots, significant relationships were established between (1) a global penetrometry index and the F_x and M_y solicitations measured by the sensor (r²=81%); (2) gravimetric water content and the vertical force F_z (r²=78%). Interpolation by inverse distance with a range of 45 m gave the best result for the cartography of the three measured signals (F_x, F_z and M_y). The confrontation of those maps with pedological and topographic maps together with the statistical relationships and the farmer’s knowledge of the field showed high consistency. The results of this experiment in field conditions are encouraging and show the promising perspective of technological innovations allowing on-line characterisation of soil physical state for precision agriculture.     

Modeling and correction of soil penetration resistance for varying soil water content

For this study penetration resistance (PR) was measured within the profiles of four Oxisols for a wide range of water contents (θ) and bulk densities. Obtained data were utilized to parameterize 23 previously applied regression models. The most promising models were selected to illustrate effects of soil texture on PR. Finally, a new correction method based on normalization of PR with θ corresponding to a matric potential of − 10 kPa was introduced. Evaluation of texture effects revealed that for very wet soils PR was lowest, but increased with clay content. PR at − 1500 kPa exhibited a maximum at clay content of 35% and at − 10 kPa PR was least affected by texture. From all regression models three- and two-parametric exponential and power functions yielded closest matches to measured data. The proposed correction significantly dampened the influence of θ on PR, which allows better comparison for a specific soil or among different soils.     

The effect of soil compaction on mole plough draught

Conventional and zero traffic systems were mole ploughed and effects on soil physical properties were compared. Draught of the plough operating at 550 mm depth was measured while it was winched across plots having a 5-year history of different traffic regimes. Results showed that the draught was reduced by about 18% on non-trafficked compared with conventionally-trafficked soil.

Cone resistance measurements, 1 month before and 3 months after mole ploughing, confirmed that the non-trafficked soil had significantly less strength to a depth of about 400 mm. Bulk density measured at 75 and 175 mm depth 1 month before mole ploughing indicated a similar trend, but clod and bulk densities at 125 mm and 350 mm depth 3 months later, failed to show any consistent differences between treatments.     

On-the-go measurement of soil water content and mechanical resistance by a combined horizontal penetrometer

A combined horizontal penetrometer was designed for the on-the-go and simultaneous measurement of soil water content and mechanical resistance. The maximum sampling rate for both sensors was 10 Hz and the maximum operating depth was 20 cm. For the water-content sensor, its measurement principle depends on the electric field of the fringe-capacitance. In order to evaluate the applicability of this combined penetrometer, four experiments in the field were carried out. These experiments included: (1) soil water content profiles test; (2) soil compaction measurement test; (3) effect of the operating velocity on the water content and resistant force measurement; (4) effect of operating depth on the force measurement. The experimental results show that the combined horizontal penetrometer is a practical tool since it can provide more useful information of soil physical properties.     

Regression analysis of some factors influencing soil compaction

Experiments were conducted in a laboratory soil bin, at the Regional Research Center of Asian Institute of Technology, to develop compaction models for a silty clay loam soil. The development of the models made use of dimensional analysis techniques. Three independent parameters were investigated: (1) tire variables (section width, diameter, inflation pressure), (2) soil variables (moisture content, initial cone index), and (3) external variables (travel speed, axle load, number of passes). Bulk density and cone index were considered as dependent variables. Results showed that axle load and number of tire passes were the most prominent factors which greatly influence soil compaction. Furthermore, soil moisture content, aspect ratio, and tire inflation pressure also revealed significant effects. The greatest soil compaction occurred during the first three passes of the tire. Soil compaction models were established and were found to provide good predictions. The trend established by the models signifies that general relationships can be established to predict soil compaction related to soil types. Furthermore, the models provided predictions at different soil and machine working conditions. Using the models, assessment of soil compaction can be made to develop a decision support system to establish useful recommendations for appropriate soil management practices and solutions to site-specific soil compaction problems.     

Correction of cone index for soil water content differences in a coastal plain soil

Soil penetration resistance (cone index) varies with water content. The field variation of water content could mask treatment differences. The correction of cone index data to a single water content would help prevent this. We used equations from TableCurve^™ software and from the literature to correct cone indices for differences in soil water contents. Data were taken from two field experiments where cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) was grown using conventional and conservation tillage without irrigation, and beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) were grown using conventional tillage with microirrigation. Boundary conditions based on hard, dry and soft, wet soils were imposed on the equations. Equations fit the data with coefficients of determination ranging from 0.55 to 0.92 and error mean squares from 1.37 to 6.35. After correction, cone index dependence on water content was reduced. A single-equation correction did not always fit the data across all treatments. Separate corrections, based on treatment, might be required. When corrections required multiple equations, differences may be real or may be a manifestation of the correction differences. In this case, the correction may not be feasible (unless some future work can coordinate different equations and assure a uniform correction).     

Laboratory measurement of soil mechanical parameters for an annually mouldboard ploughed versus unploughed soil

Shear tests is a common way of measuring the soil’s cohesion and angle of internal shearing resistance. Especially, for annular shear devices the result may, however, be somewhat erroneous due to the soil escaping in radial direction from below the annulus. This paper describes experiments with shear tests on large samples of undisturbed cores brought into the laboratory from experimental plots in the field. The shear tests were performed by means of a ring shear device of a new design. The shear head was constructed in such a way that the normal stress against the soil surface was maintained not only below the shear ring, as conventionally, but also inside and outside the annulus. During the tests, the soil was under controlled water tension of 6 kPa. Two soil treatments were considered: annually mouldboard-ploughed and unploughed.

The results showed no significant difference between the two treatments concerning cohesion and angle of internal shearing resistance. Likewise, no significant difference was found regarding the shear deformation modulus. Concerning this parameter it was, in addition, found to be independent of the normal stress. The annually ploughed soil was found to be more compressible than the unploughed.     

Spatial variability of soil water content and mechanical resistance of Brazilian ferralsol

The spatial variability of mechanical resistance to penetration (PR) and gravimetric moisture (GM) was studied at a depth of 0–0.40 m, in a ferralsol cropped with corn, and under conventional tillage in Ilha Solteira, Brazil (latitude 20°17′S, and longitude 52°25′W). The purpose of this study was to analyse and to try explaining the spatial variability of the mentioned soil physical properties using geostatistics. Soil data was collected at points arranged on the nodes of a mesh with 97 points. Geostatistics was used to analyse the spatial variability of PR and GM at four depths: 0–0.1, 0.1–0.2, 0.2–0.3 and 0.3–0.4 m. PR showed a higher variability of data, with coefficients of variation of 52.39, 30.54, 16.91, and 15.18%, from the surface layers to the deepest layers. The values of the coefficients of variation for GM were lower: 9.99, 5.13, 5.59, and 5.69%. Correlation between GM and PR for the same soil layers was low. Penetration resistance showed spatial structure only in the 0.30–0.40 m layer, while gravimetric moisture showed spatial structure at all depths except for 0–0.10 m. All the models of fitted semivariograms were spherical and exponential, with ranges of 10–80 m. Data for the variable ‘GM’ in the 0.20–0.30 and 0.30–0.40 m layers revealed a trend in data attributed to the occurrence of subsurface water flow.     

Screening of soil bacteria for plasmids carrying antibiotic resistance

Summary To evaluate the role of plasmids in soil communities antibiotic-resistant bacteria have been isolated from soil. Among them, 419 l-aminopeptidase positive strains (Gram-negative) and 28 l-aminopeptidase negative strains (Gram-positive) were screened for the presence of plasmids. None of the Gram-negative organisms contained plasmids. Among the Gram-positive bacteria plasmid-harboring strains were detected.     

Evaluating the performance of a soil compaction sensor

One of the most significant soil parameters affecting root growth is soil compaction. It is therefore important to be able to determine the presence of compacted layers, their depth, thickness and spatial location without the necessity of digging a large number of holes in the field with either a spade or backhoe. Previous investigations have identified soil compaction by different methods such as: using ground penetrating radar, acoustic systems, vertical and horizontal penetrometers and instrumented wings mounted on the faces of tines. Linking the output from these sensors to global positioning systems would give an indication of the spatial patent variation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of a soil compaction profile sensor in both controlled laboratory and field conditions. The sensor consisted of a series of instrumented flaps; a flap is defined as the sensing element which comprises one half of a pointed leading edge to the leg of a tine to which strain gauges are placed on the rear face of the flap. Studies measured the effect of compaction on the changes in the soil resistance acting upon a flap face in a soil bin laboratory and under field conditions. The results indicated that the sensor was sensitive to differences in soil strength at different depths in soils. A technique was developed to identify the soil compaction resulting from different tyre inflation pressures and loads. The soil compaction profile sensor was tested on a number of fields in south‐eastern England to determine the changes in soil strength below the wheelings of a pea harvester operating at different tyre inflation pressures.     

Spatial variability of soil penetration resistance in an alluvial delta plain under different land uses in middle Black Sea Region of Turkey

The aim of this study was to analyse the soil compaction and its spatial variability on an alluvial plain in K?z?l?rmak River Delta in Turkey, which is an important agricultural area where vegetable, rice, cereals and other crops have been grown under conventional tillage and irrigation over a long period. Penetration resistance (PR) was measured at 5 cm depth intervals between 0 and 40 cm soil depth, and gravimetric water content (GWC), field capacity (FC) and texture were determined for 0–20 cm and 20–40 cm. Penetration resistance values in some parts of the area were higher than the critical value for root growth limitation, the mean PR values at all depths were considerably lower than the critical value despite a relative increase in PR with soil depth. The areas with values greater than 3.0 MPa, except for 0–5 cm, were generally located in the fields with high sand content, especially near the K?z?l?rmak River. In contrast, for 0–5 cm, the areas with PR greater than 3.0 MPa, which is the value accepted for root growth limitation, were usually located in the west and northwest of the study area and had a high clay content.     

机械压实对复垦土壤粒径分布多重分形特征的影响

在高潜水位矿区复垦施工现场,运用多重分形理论研究不同碾压次数下复垦土壤粒径分布特征,以阐明机械压实对复垦土壤粒径分布非均匀性和异质性的影响。结果表明:机械碾压在46.8%~99.9%程度上解释0~20和20~40 cm土层土壤粒径分布特征的变化,随着碾压次数增加,复垦土壤颗粒呈细粒化趋势,容量维D(0)随之减小,表征粒径分布范围减小;奇异谱对称性Δf随之增加,表征粒径分布不对称性增加;信息维D(1)、信息维/容量维D(1)/D(0)、关联维D(2)和奇异谱谱宽Δα随之波动变化,表征粒径分布集中程度、局部密集程度和均匀性波动变化。研究发现D(1)和D(1)/D(0),D(2)和Δα相关系数分别0.767(P0.01)和-0.488(P0.05),在表征复垦土壤粒径分布集中程度和均匀性上具有相似作用,多重分形参数可多角度描述机械碾压过程中土壤粒径分布的细微差别,其中D(0)、Δα和Δf能够灵敏反映复垦土壤紧实度变化,这为深入研究复垦土壤压实问题提供一种精确分析方法。     

Geostatistical analysis of soil mechanical properties in Ardabil plain of Iran

This study was conducted to estimate the spatial distribution of penetration resistance (PR), Proctor maximum bulk density (MBD) and critical water content (CWC) as soil mechanical indices. Soil samples to determine sand, silt, clay, organic carbon (OC), CaCO₃, bulk and particle density, total porosity, field water content, MBD and CWC values were collected. Field measurements of PR at 0–10 cm depth were taken from 105 geo-referenced points with 3000 × 3000 m intervals in agricultural lands of Ardabil plain, Iran. Ordinary kriging (OK) and inverse distance weighting (IDW) methods were used to analyze spatial variability of PR, MBD and CWC. The strongest spatial dependences with the lowest ranges of influence were found for OC (7560 m) and MBD (8370 m). The models of fitted semivariograms were Gaussian for PR and MBD, and exponential for CWC. The moderate spatial dependences with the ranges of 13,300 and 40,100 m were found for CWC and PR, respectively. The best prediction according to Lin’s concordance correlation coefficient was obtained by OK for PR (0.48) and IDW for MBD (0.09) and CWC (0.03). These results can be applied in programming of optimum tillage operations for reducing soil compaction risk in the studied region.     

Amelioration of soil compaction can take 5 years on a Vertisol under no till in the semi-arid subtropics

Heavy wheel traffic causes soil compaction, which adversely affects crop production and may persist for several years. We applied known compaction forces to entire plots annually for 5 years, and then determined the duration of the adverse effects on the properties of a Vertisol and the performance of crops under no-till dryland cropping with residue retention. For up to 5 years after a final treatment with a 10 Mg axle load on wet soil, soil shear strength at 70–100 mm and cone index at 180–360 mm were significantly (P < 0.05) higher than in a control treatment, and soil water storage and grain yield were lower. We conclude that compaction effects persisted because (1) there were insufficient wet–dry cycles to swell and shrink the entire compacted layer, (2) soil loosening by tillage was absent and (3) there were fewer earthworms in the compacted soil. Compaction of dry soil with 6 Mg had little effect at any time, indicating that by using wheel traffic only when the soil is dry, problems can be avoided. Unfortunately such a restriction is not always possible because sowing, tillage and harvest operations often need to be done when the soil is wet. A more generally applicable solution, which also ensures timely operations, is the permanent separation of wheel zones and crop zones in the field—the practice known as controlled traffic farming. Where a compacted layer already exists, even on a clay soil, management options to hasten repair should be considered, e.g. tillage, deep ripping, sowing a ley pasture or sowing crop species more effective at repairing compacted soil.