Pub Date : 2025-10-25DOI: 10.1016/j.biosystemseng.2025.104314
Chunling Zhang , Tao Liu , Yazi Wang , Liqing Chen , Jun Fang , Ce Liu
This study proposes a method of encircled air-blowing-assisted (EABA) seed guiding, aimed at enhancing the operational quality of the seed guide device. Based on the principles of airflow delivery, an analysis of the force acting on maize is conducted, leading to the identification of the key structural parameters for an EABA seed guide device. The process of maize descent within an encircled airflow was simulated by means of a coupling approach of the discrete element method (DEM) and computational fluid dynamics (CFD). The airflow conditions near the seeds were analysed, and the results indicated that the airflow exerted a constraining effect on seeds positioned at different locations within the tube. The movement of maize seeds within the seed guide tube was analysed. The results indicated that, at an operational velocity of 8 km h−1, the average number of collisions between 100 adjacent maize seeds and the walls of the seed guide tube under air-blowing conditions decreased by 45.2 % compared to unaerated-blowing conditions. Additionally, the movement time of seed within the tube was reduced by 18.9 %, and the coefficient of variation for maize spacing after sowing improved by 13.9 %. High-speed photography experiments and bench tests have validated the accuracy of the simulations.
为了提高导种装置的运行质量,提出了一种环形吹气辅助导种方法。根据气流输送原理,分析了作用在玉米上的力,确定了EABA导种装置的关键结构参数。采用离散元法(DEM)和计算流体力学(CFD)相结合的方法,模拟了玉米在环形气流中的降落过程。对种子附近的气流状况进行了分析,结果表明气流对位于管内不同位置的种子有一定的约束作用。分析了玉米种子在导种管内的运动规律。结果表明,在运行速度为8 km h−1时,吹气条件下相邻100粒玉米种子与导种管壁的平均碰撞次数比不吹气条件下减少了45.2%。种子在筒内的运动时间缩短了18.9%,玉米播后行距变异系数提高了13.9%。高速摄影实验和台架试验验证了仿真的准确性。
{"title":"An encircled air-blowing-assisted seed guiding method based on coupled CFD-DEM simulation","authors":"Chunling Zhang , Tao Liu , Yazi Wang , Liqing Chen , Jun Fang , Ce Liu","doi":"10.1016/j.biosystemseng.2025.104314","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.biosystemseng.2025.104314","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study proposes a method of encircled air-blowing-assisted (EABA) seed guiding, aimed at enhancing the operational quality of the seed guide device. Based on the principles of airflow delivery, an analysis of the force acting on maize is conducted, leading to the identification of the key structural parameters for an EABA seed guide device. The process of maize descent within an encircled airflow was simulated by means of a coupling approach of the discrete element method (DEM) and computational fluid dynamics (CFD). The airflow conditions near the seeds were analysed, and the results indicated that the airflow exerted a constraining effect on seeds positioned at different locations within the tube. The movement of maize seeds within the seed guide tube was analysed. The results indicated that, at an operational velocity of 8 km h<sup>−1</sup>, the average number of collisions between 100 adjacent maize seeds and the walls of the seed guide tube under air-blowing conditions decreased by 45.2 % compared to unaerated-blowing conditions. Additionally, the movement time of seed within the tube was reduced by 18.9 %, and the coefficient of variation for maize spacing after sowing improved by 13.9 %. High-speed photography experiments and bench tests have validated the accuracy of the simulations.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":9173,"journal":{"name":"Biosystems Engineering","volume":"260 ","pages":"Article 104314"},"PeriodicalIF":5.3,"publicationDate":"2025-10-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145359260","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-10-24DOI: 10.1016/j.biosystemseng.2025.104319
Heng Chen , Jiale Cao , Jianshuo An , Wenbin Li (Corresponding author. School of Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China.) , Xiaopeng Bai , Daochun Xu
This paper proposes NERF-F, a three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction method for orchard scenes using unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) images and neural radiance fields (NERF) theory, to address the challenges of large-scale orchard point cloud reconstruction. Multi-view images of orchards are captured using a DJI Phantom 4 UAV, and the camera motion model is established. A method to recover camera poses from UAV position and orientation system (POS) data is introduced, with the images and pose data fed into a multilayer perceptron (MLP) network for rendering. This process generates a NERF that describes the orchard scene's colour and voxel density. The MLP network weights are optimised via a loss function, iterating until convergence. After training, the orchard NERF is used to generate and export the orchard point cloud model. Experimental results showed that NERF-F accurately reconstructed macro structures such as tree crowns, terrain, tree height, and inter-tree spacing. Individual tree models exhibited clear outlines and accurate crown structures. The average reconstruction time was 1.05 h, producing point clouds with tens of millions of points. The reconstruction accuracy of the orchard model was 92.15 %, with centimetre-level scale accuracy. For tree height and canopy area, the mean relative errors were 2.11 % and 8.01 %, respectively. Compared to SFM-MVS and PIX4D, NERF-F outperformed in point cloud density, reconstruction accuracy, and measurement precision, providing a solid foundation for digital orchard development.
{"title":"3D reconstruction of orchard scenes based on UAV images and neural radiance fields","authors":"Heng Chen , Jiale Cao , Jianshuo An , Wenbin Li (Corresponding author. School of Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China.) , Xiaopeng Bai , Daochun Xu","doi":"10.1016/j.biosystemseng.2025.104319","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.biosystemseng.2025.104319","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This paper proposes NERF-F, a three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction method for orchard scenes using unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) images and neural radiance fields (NERF) theory, to address the challenges of large-scale orchard point cloud reconstruction. Multi-view images of orchards are captured using a DJI Phantom 4 UAV, and the camera motion model is established. A method to recover camera poses from UAV position and orientation system (POS) data is introduced, with the images and pose data fed into a multilayer perceptron (MLP) network for rendering. This process generates a NERF that describes the orchard scene's colour and voxel density. The MLP network weights are optimised via a loss function, iterating until convergence. After training, the orchard NERF is used to generate and export the orchard point cloud model. Experimental results showed that NERF-F accurately reconstructed macro structures such as tree crowns, terrain, tree height, and inter-tree spacing. Individual tree models exhibited clear outlines and accurate crown structures. The average reconstruction time was 1.05 h, producing point clouds with tens of millions of points. The reconstruction accuracy of the orchard model was 92.15 %, with centimetre-level scale accuracy. For tree height and canopy area, the mean relative errors were 2.11 % and 8.01 %, respectively. Compared to SFM-MVS and PIX4D, NERF-F outperformed in point cloud density, reconstruction accuracy, and measurement precision, providing a solid foundation for digital orchard development.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":9173,"journal":{"name":"Biosystems Engineering","volume":"260 ","pages":"Article 104319"},"PeriodicalIF":5.3,"publicationDate":"2025-10-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145359259","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-10-22DOI: 10.1016/j.biosystemseng.2025.104316
Hailong Che , Hua Zhou , Zhengzhong Li , Xian Wang , Xianliang Wang , Zhongcai Wei , Yanjun Li , Yinping Zhang
Maize stubble treatment is challenging and significantly impacts the quality of subsequent sowing operations. This challenge is primarily attributed to the presence of the maize root-soil complex (MRSC). To better study this, a MRSC model is established using the discrete element method (DEM) based on the residual characteristics of stubble in the soil after maize harvesting. The relative error of the model parameters was merely 1.12 %, which can accurately predict the mechanical behaviour of the MRSC. A rolling digging method is also proposed, and a double-disc digging shovel (DDS) is designed. Based on the MRSC model, an in-depth study of the working processes of three digging shovels is performed. The results showed that during the operation of the DDS, the longitudinal displacement of the stubble was 206.2 mm, the forward displacement was 214.3 mm, the residual weight of the MRSC was the smallest, and the forces in all directions were the smallest. The field test showed that both the diameter and working speed of the DDS had a strong influence on operational performance. When the diameter of the DDS was 300 mm and the working speed was between 0.53 and 0.74 m s-1, the DDS achieved an optimal digging effect on the MRSC. The results of simulation test and field test showed that the working performance of digging shovel can be accurately predicted by the MRSC model based on DEM. This study thus presents a novel solution for the treatment of maize stubble under conservation tillage conditions.
玉米残茬处理具有挑战性,并显著影响后续播种作业的质量。这一挑战主要归因于玉米根-土壤复合体(MRSC)的存在。为了更好地研究这一问题,基于玉米收获后土壤残茬残留特征,采用离散元法(DEM)建立了MRSC模型。模型参数的相对误差仅为1.12%,可以较准确地预测MRSC的力学行为。提出了一种滚动挖掘方法,并设计了一种双盘式挖掘铲。基于MRSC模型,对三台挖土机的工作过程进行了深入研究。结果表明:在DDS运行过程中,残茬纵向位移为206.2 mm,前向位移为214.3 mm, MRSC残重最小,各方向受力最小;现场试验表明,DDS的直径和工作速度对作业性能有较大影响。当DDS直径为300 mm,工作速度为0.53 ~ 0.74 m s-1时,DDS对MRSC的挖掘效果最佳。仿真试验和现场试验结果表明,基于DEM的MRSC模型能较准确地预测挖掘铲的工作性能。本研究为保护性耕作条件下玉米残茬的处理提供了一种新的解决方案。
{"title":"Evaluation of the working performance of different digging shovels based on the maize root-soil complex model","authors":"Hailong Che , Hua Zhou , Zhengzhong Li , Xian Wang , Xianliang Wang , Zhongcai Wei , Yanjun Li , Yinping Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.biosystemseng.2025.104316","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.biosystemseng.2025.104316","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Maize stubble treatment is challenging and significantly impacts the quality of subsequent sowing operations. This challenge is primarily attributed to the presence of the maize root-soil complex (MRSC). To better study this, a MRSC model is established using the discrete element method (DEM) based on the residual characteristics of stubble in the soil after maize harvesting. The relative error of the model parameters was merely 1.12 %, which can accurately predict the mechanical behaviour of the MRSC. A rolling digging method is also proposed, and a double-disc digging shovel (DDS) is designed. Based on the MRSC model, an in-depth study of the working processes of three digging shovels is performed. The results showed that during the operation of the DDS, the longitudinal displacement of the stubble was 206.2 mm, the forward displacement was 214.3 mm, the residual weight of the MRSC was the smallest, and the forces in all directions were the smallest. The field test showed that both the diameter and working speed of the DDS had a strong influence on operational performance. When the diameter of the DDS was 300 mm and the working speed was between 0.53 and 0.74 m s<sup>-1</sup>, the DDS achieved an optimal digging effect on the MRSC. The results of simulation test and field test showed that the working performance of digging shovel can be accurately predicted by the MRSC model based on DEM. This study thus presents a novel solution for the treatment of maize stubble under conservation tillage conditions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":9173,"journal":{"name":"Biosystems Engineering","volume":"260 ","pages":"Article 104316"},"PeriodicalIF":5.3,"publicationDate":"2025-10-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145359258","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-10-22DOI: 10.1016/j.biosystemseng.2025.104315
Zijuan Zhang , Pengfei Zhao , Xiaojun Gao , Zhongjun Liu , Qinghui Lai , Hua Li
High speed precision seeding is an important means to improve maize yield per unit area. However, increased ground speed generates excessive centrifugal force in pneumatic seed metering devices, which drastically reduces filling time and leads to severe declines in seeding quality. Therefore, a novel maize seed metering device combining seed outward migration and seed supply regulation was designed and optimised, enabling precise single-seed filling via an innovative integrated reflux refilling front shell. Key parameters of the centrifugal variable-diameter seed board were calculated, and the structure and size parameters of the front shell were optimised. Optimal working parameters of the seed-metering devices assembled with two different front shells were obtained by single factor experiments. The seeding performance was compared under the optimal working parameters. The relation between seed inlet velocity and wind pressure was established, and the effects of seed inlet velocity on seeding performance were studied. Results show that the integrated reflux refilling front shell significantly stabilised seed flow, thereby improving seeding performance, achieving a qualified rate of 93.42 % with 5.38 % multiple and 1.20 % missing rates at 14 km h−1 ground speed, 1.5 kPa wind pressure, and 20 seeds s−1 refilling rate. The results of the seeding stability, continuous seeding, and continuous operation experiment show that the qualified rate remained above 91.00 % at 10–18 km h−1 ground speeds, resolving the performance drop beyond 14 km h−1. At 20 seeds s−1 refilling rate, stable qualified rates (>90.00 %) were maintained under 14, 16 and 18 km h−1 conditions. At a refilling rate of 20 seeds s−1 and a wind pressure of 1.5 kPa, the qualified rate exceeded 88.00 % during the acceleration stage (0–14 km h−1) and deceleration stage (14∼0 km h−1), meeting continuous operation requirements.
高速精准播种是提高玉米单产的重要手段。然而,地面速度的增加会在气动种子计量装置中产生过大的离心力,这大大减少了填充时间,导致种子质量严重下降。因此,设计并优化了一种结合种子向外迁移和种子供应调节的新型玉米种子计量装置,通过创新的集成回流灌装前壳实现精确的单粒灌装。对离心变径种子板的关键参数进行了计算,并对前壳的结构和尺寸参数进行了优化。通过单因素试验,得到了两种不同前壳组合的排种器的最佳工作参数。比较了最优工作参数下的播种性能。建立了种子入口速度与风压的关系,研究了种子入口速度对种子播种性能的影响。结果表明:在14 km h−1地面速度、1.5 kPa风压、20粒s−1灌浆速率条件下,一体化回流灌浆前壳显著稳定了种子流动,提高了播种性能,灌浆合格率为93.42%,多次合格率为5.38%,漏报率为1.20%;播种稳定性、连续播种和连续运行试验结果表明,在10 ~ 18 km h−1地面速度下,播种合格率保持在91.00%以上,解决了超过14 km h−1时的性能下降问题。在20粒种子s−1灌浆速率下,14、16和18 km h−1条件下保持稳定的合格率(90.00 %)。在加速期(0 ~ 14 km h−1)和减速期(14 ~ 0 km h−1)充注率为20粒s−1、风压为1.5 kPa时,合格率均超过88.00%,满足连续运行要求。
{"title":"Study on influencing factors of the integrated reflux refilling centrifugal variable-diameter maize metering device","authors":"Zijuan Zhang , Pengfei Zhao , Xiaojun Gao , Zhongjun Liu , Qinghui Lai , Hua Li","doi":"10.1016/j.biosystemseng.2025.104315","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.biosystemseng.2025.104315","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>High speed precision seeding is an important means to improve maize yield per unit area. However, increased ground speed generates excessive centrifugal force in pneumatic seed metering devices, which drastically reduces filling time and leads to severe declines in seeding quality. Therefore, a novel maize seed metering device combining seed outward migration and seed supply regulation was designed and optimised, enabling precise single-seed filling via an innovative integrated reflux refilling front shell. Key parameters of the centrifugal variable-diameter seed board were calculated, and the structure and size parameters of the front shell were optimised. Optimal working parameters of the seed-metering devices assembled with two different front shells were obtained by single factor experiments. The seeding performance was compared under the optimal working parameters. The relation between seed inlet velocity and wind pressure was established, and the effects of seed inlet velocity on seeding performance were studied. Results show that the integrated reflux refilling front shell significantly stabilised seed flow, thereby improving seeding performance, achieving a qualified rate of 93.42 % with 5.38 % multiple and 1.20 % missing rates at 14 km h<sup>−1</sup> ground speed, 1.5 kPa wind pressure, and 20 seeds s<sup>−1</sup> refilling rate. The results of the seeding stability, continuous seeding, and continuous operation experiment show that the qualified rate remained above 91.00 % at 10–18 km h<sup>−1</sup> ground speeds, resolving the performance drop beyond 14 km h<sup>−1</sup>. At 20 seeds s<sup>−1</sup> refilling rate, stable qualified rates (>90.00 %) were maintained under 14, 16 and 18 km h<sup>−1</sup> conditions. At a refilling rate of 20 seeds s<sup>−1</sup> and a wind pressure of 1.5 kPa, the qualified rate exceeded 88.00 % during the acceleration stage (0–14 km h<sup>−1</sup>) and deceleration stage (14∼0 km h<sup>−1</sup>), meeting continuous operation requirements.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":9173,"journal":{"name":"Biosystems Engineering","volume":"260 ","pages":"Article 104315"},"PeriodicalIF":5.3,"publicationDate":"2025-10-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145359262","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-10-18DOI: 10.1016/j.biosystemseng.2025.104313
Zhihao Zhu , Xiaoyu Chai , Lizhang Xu , Li Quan , Chaochun Yuan , En Lu , Shuofeng Weng
In response to the challenges encountered by traditional combine harvester threshing drums, such as the difficulty in maintaining speed stability amidst load fluctuations leading to increased entrainment loss, and the difficulty in adjusting speed across a wide range with varying crop types and properties, this study introduces an electric threshing drum (ETD) for combine harvesters. A motor control strategy leveraging a fractional-order non-singular sliding mode observer (FONSSMO) and model predictive control (MPC) is developed to achieve precise speed control of the ETD under load fluctuations and disturbances, with its parameters optimised using a genetic algorithm. Simulation results demonstrate that the ETD can achieve swift and accurate speed regulation. In the presence of torque interference and load transients, the proposed control method reduces the RMS value of the threshing drum's speed error by 73.96 % and the maximum speed error by 75.10 %, significantly enhancing the system's robustness. The bench test validated the efficacy and feasibility of the control strategy. Furthermore, field test results from rice harvesting showed that the combine harvester equipped with the ETD can mitigate entrainment loss rate fluctuations due to changes in vehicle speed and load compared to conventional models. At a vehicle speed of 2 m s−1, it can reduce entrainment loss by ∼19–20 %, effectively enhancing harvesting efficiency.
针对传统联合收割机脱粒鼓所面临的挑战,如在负荷波动中难以保持速度稳定,导致携带损失增加,以及难以在不同作物类型和特性的大范围内调节速度,本研究介绍了一种用于联合收割机的电动脱粒鼓(ETD)。利用分数阶非奇异滑模观测器(FONSSMO)和模型预测控制(MPC)的电机控制策略,利用遗传算法对参数进行优化,实现了负载波动和干扰下ETD的精确速度控制。仿真结果表明,ETD可以实现快速、准确的调速。在存在转矩干扰和负载瞬变的情况下,该控制方法使脱粒滚筒转速误差的均方根值降低了73.96%,最大转速误差降低了75.10%,显著增强了系统的鲁棒性。台架试验验证了控制策略的有效性和可行性。此外,水稻收获的田间试验结果表明,与传统模式相比,配备ETD的联合收割机可以减轻由于车辆速度和负载变化而导致的携载损失率波动。在车速为2 m s−1时,它可以减少约19 - 20%的携带损失,有效提高收获效率。
{"title":"Design and performance analysis of an electric threshing drum and its speed control system for combine harvester","authors":"Zhihao Zhu , Xiaoyu Chai , Lizhang Xu , Li Quan , Chaochun Yuan , En Lu , Shuofeng Weng","doi":"10.1016/j.biosystemseng.2025.104313","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.biosystemseng.2025.104313","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In response to the challenges encountered by traditional combine harvester threshing drums, such as the difficulty in maintaining speed stability amidst load fluctuations leading to increased entrainment loss, and the difficulty in adjusting speed across a wide range with varying crop types and properties, this study introduces an electric threshing drum (ETD) for combine harvesters. A motor control strategy leveraging a fractional-order non-singular sliding mode observer (FONSSMO) and model predictive control (MPC) is developed to achieve precise speed control of the ETD under load fluctuations and disturbances, with its parameters optimised using a genetic algorithm. Simulation results demonstrate that the ETD can achieve swift and accurate speed regulation. In the presence of torque interference and load transients, the proposed control method reduces the RMS value of the threshing drum's speed error by 73.96 % and the maximum speed error by 75.10 %, significantly enhancing the system's robustness. The bench test validated the efficacy and feasibility of the control strategy. Furthermore, field test results from rice harvesting showed that the combine harvester equipped with the ETD can mitigate entrainment loss rate fluctuations due to changes in vehicle speed and load compared to conventional models. At a vehicle speed of 2 m s<sup>−1</sup>, it can reduce entrainment loss by ∼19–20 %, effectively enhancing harvesting efficiency.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":9173,"journal":{"name":"Biosystems Engineering","volume":"260 ","pages":"Article 104313"},"PeriodicalIF":5.3,"publicationDate":"2025-10-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145322494","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-10-15DOI: 10.1016/j.biosystemseng.2025.104305
Tito Arevalo-Ramirez , Oswaldo Menéndez , Juan Villacrés , Javier Guevara , Robert Guamán-Rivera , Rodrigo Demarco , Fernando Auat Cheein
Understanding vegetation through its reflectance in the visible and near-infrared spectrum is vital for gaining biophysical and structural insights about vegetation. However, the spectral reflectance on meaningful bands (e.g., red-edge, near-infrared) is not always available because of the camera's spectral response restrictions. In this context, previous research addresses the lack of multispectral information by reconstructing it using deep-learning approaches. Although there are promising outcomes, the influence of varying illumination conditions on this process still needs to be explored. Thus, this work examines if conditional Generative Adversarial Networks (cGANs) can infer environment illumination for achieving an appropriate multispectral image reconstruction. In particular, the spectral reconstruction performance of cGANs is investigated under six different scenarios with different illumination (occurring over a whole day), focusing on green, red-edge, and near-infrared bands. Note that the dataset used for this research has become publicly available. These results indicated that illumination conditions influenced the performance of cGAN models in generating spectral images. Specifically, the cGANs could not infer the source image illumination to output a reliable reconstructed spectral image. Furthermore, although including samples under different illumination improved cGANs' performance, the generated multispectral images tended to be darker than actual images.
{"title":"Assessment of light environment conditions for reconstruction of multispectral images by conditional adversarial networks","authors":"Tito Arevalo-Ramirez , Oswaldo Menéndez , Juan Villacrés , Javier Guevara , Robert Guamán-Rivera , Rodrigo Demarco , Fernando Auat Cheein","doi":"10.1016/j.biosystemseng.2025.104305","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.biosystemseng.2025.104305","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Understanding vegetation through its reflectance in the visible and near-infrared spectrum is vital for gaining biophysical and structural insights about vegetation. However, the spectral reflectance on meaningful bands (e.g., red-edge, near-infrared) is not always available because of the camera's spectral response restrictions. In this context, previous research addresses the lack of multispectral information by reconstructing it using deep-learning approaches. Although there are promising outcomes, the influence of varying illumination conditions on this process still needs to be explored. Thus, this work examines if conditional Generative Adversarial Networks (cGANs) can infer environment illumination for achieving an appropriate multispectral image reconstruction. In particular, the spectral reconstruction performance of cGANs is investigated under six different scenarios with different illumination (occurring over a whole day), focusing on green, red-edge, and near-infrared bands. Note that the dataset used for this research has become publicly available. These results indicated that illumination conditions influenced the performance of cGAN models in generating spectral images. Specifically, the cGANs could not infer the source image illumination to output a reliable reconstructed spectral image. Furthermore, although including samples under different illumination improved cGANs' performance, the generated multispectral images tended to be darker than actual images.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":9173,"journal":{"name":"Biosystems Engineering","volume":"260 ","pages":"Article 104305"},"PeriodicalIF":5.3,"publicationDate":"2025-10-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145322493","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-10-13DOI: 10.1016/j.biosystemseng.2025.104304
Sven G. Sommer , Shabtai Bittman , Andreas Pacholski
Agriculture contributes about 80 % of global ammonia (NH3) emissions which must therefore be reduced to tackle issues of global human health as well as biodiversity and fertilizer loss. We carried out a review of current knowledge about processes of NH3 emissions from field applied liquid manure, which is the basis for our opinion about the need for better process understanding. Detailed information on the reviewed literature is given (supplementary material). We recommend process based research about NH3 emission effects of a. soil surface pH and temperature on concentration of dissolved NH3(aq); b. Liquid manure dry matter concentration (DM) and soil cation exchange; c. Liquid manure viscosity and hydrophobicity interacting with soil water content and texture; and d. Effects of weather conditions as solar radiation, wind, canopy and rainfall/irrigation.
{"title":"Expert Opinion (∗): Improving process knowledge about ammonia emission from field applied liquid manure","authors":"Sven G. Sommer , Shabtai Bittman , Andreas Pacholski","doi":"10.1016/j.biosystemseng.2025.104304","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.biosystemseng.2025.104304","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Agriculture contributes about 80 % of global ammonia (NH<sub>3</sub>) emissions which must therefore be reduced to tackle issues of global human health as well as biodiversity and fertilizer loss. We carried out a review of current knowledge about processes of NH<sub>3</sub> emissions from field applied liquid manure, which is the basis for our opinion about the need for better process understanding. Detailed information on the reviewed literature is given (supplementary material). We recommend process based research about NH<sub>3</sub> emission effects of <em>a</em>. soil surface pH and temperature on concentration of dissolved NH<sub>3</sub>(aq); <em>b</em>. Liquid manure dry matter concentration (DM) and soil cation exchange; <em>c</em>. Liquid manure viscosity and hydrophobicity interacting with soil water content and texture; and <em>d</em>. Effects of weather conditions as solar radiation, wind, canopy and rainfall/irrigation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":9173,"journal":{"name":"Biosystems Engineering","volume":"260 ","pages":"Article 104304"},"PeriodicalIF":5.3,"publicationDate":"2025-10-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145322495","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-10-10DOI: 10.1016/j.biosystemseng.2025.104302
Cui Gao , Özge Günaydın , Mina Mounir , Hilke Willemsen , Fien Vanlerberghe , Eduardo Romanini , Tomas Norton
Thermal stress (heat and cold stress) poses a significant challenge to day-old broilers during temporary post-hatch storage before transportation. This study presents a computer vision-based approach for automatic assessment of flock-level behavioural responses. Two behavioural indices were developed: an improved Cluster Index (CI) that incorporates convex hull area and temporal variability to quantify aggregation under cold stress, and a Temperature Stress Index (TSI) that integrates CI with an Activity Index (AI) from Gaussian Mixture Model analysis to capture activity responses to thermal stress. Experiments were conducted under controlled cold-to-hot (CH) and hot-to-cold (HC) temperature profiles using thermal and night vision cameras, with 48 chicks across four trials. For thermal image segmentation, an HRNet model achieved a final mean IoU of 93.37 %. Linear mixed models showed significant temperature effects on all three indices (p < 0.01): CI increased significantly under extreme cold (31.7 °C, p < 0.01) and semi-cold (34.4 °C_1, p < 0.01), while AI increased significantly in semi-hot (40.0 °C_1, p < 0.01) and extreme hot (42.8 °C, p < 0.01) phases. TSI was significantly elevated under extreme cold (31.7 °C, p < 0.01), semi-hot (40.0 °C_1, p < 0.01), and extreme hot (42.8 °C, p < 0.01), demonstrating its ability to detect both extreme heat and cold stress more comprehensively than AI or CI alone. Despite the initial investment in cameras and computing, this non-invasive and camera-compatible method is cost-effective compared with continuous manual monitoring or invasive physiological assays, enabling timely detection of thermal stress in day-old chicks.
热应激(热应激和冷应激)对日龄肉鸡在运输前的临时孵化后储存过程中构成了重大挑战。本研究提出了一种基于计算机视觉的群体行为反应自动评估方法。研究人员开发了两种行为指数:一种是改进的聚类指数(CI),它包含凸壳面积和时间变异性,以量化冷应激下的聚集;另一种是温度应激指数(TSI),它将CI与高斯混合模型分析的活动指数(AI)结合起来,以捕捉活动对热应激的反应。采用热像仪和夜视仪对48只雏鸡进行了4个试验,分别在可控的冷到热(CH)和热到冷(HC)温度剖面下进行了试验。对于热图像分割,HRNet模型的最终平均IoU为93.37%。线性混合模型对3个指数均有显著的温度效应(p < 0.01): CI在极冷(31.7°C, p < 0.01)和半冷(34.4°C, p < 0.01)阶段显著升高,AI在半热(40.0°C, p < 0.01)和极热(42.8°C, p < 0.01)阶段显著升高。在极冷(31.7°C, p < 0.01)、半热(40.0°C, p < 0.01)和极热(42.8°C, p < 0.01)条件下,TSI显著升高,表明其能够比单独AI或CI更全面地检测极热和极冷胁迫。尽管在摄像机和计算机上进行了初步投资,但与连续人工监测或侵入性生理检测相比,这种非侵入性且与摄像机兼容的方法具有成本效益,能够及时检测日龄雏鸡的热应激。
{"title":"Assessing thermal comfort for day-old broilers: A novel thermal stress index using computer vision","authors":"Cui Gao , Özge Günaydın , Mina Mounir , Hilke Willemsen , Fien Vanlerberghe , Eduardo Romanini , Tomas Norton","doi":"10.1016/j.biosystemseng.2025.104302","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.biosystemseng.2025.104302","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Thermal stress (heat and cold stress) poses a significant challenge to day-old broilers during temporary post-hatch storage before transportation. This study presents a computer vision-based approach for automatic assessment of flock-level behavioural responses. Two behavioural indices were developed: an improved Cluster Index (CI) that incorporates convex hull area and temporal variability to quantify aggregation under cold stress, and a Temperature Stress Index (TSI) that integrates CI with an Activity Index (AI) from Gaussian Mixture Model analysis to capture activity responses to thermal stress. Experiments were conducted under controlled cold-to-hot (CH) and hot-to-cold (HC) temperature profiles using thermal and night vision cameras, with 48 chicks across four trials. For thermal image segmentation, an HRNet model achieved a final mean IoU of 93.37 %. Linear mixed models showed significant temperature effects on all three indices (<em>p</em> < 0.01): CI increased significantly under extreme cold (31.7 °C, <em>p</em> < 0.01) and semi-cold (34.4 °C_1, <em>p</em> < 0.01), while AI increased significantly in semi-hot (40.0 °C_1, <em>p</em> < 0.01) and extreme hot (42.8 °C, <em>p</em> < 0.01) phases. TSI was significantly elevated under extreme cold (31.7 °C, <em>p</em> < 0.01), semi-hot (40.0 °C_1, <em>p</em> < 0.01), and extreme hot (42.8 °C, <em>p</em> < 0.01), demonstrating its ability to detect both extreme heat and cold stress more comprehensively than AI or CI alone. Despite the initial investment in cameras and computing, this non-invasive and camera-compatible method is cost-effective compared with continuous manual monitoring or invasive physiological assays, enabling timely detection of thermal stress in day-old chicks.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":9173,"journal":{"name":"Biosystems Engineering","volume":"260 ","pages":"Article 104302"},"PeriodicalIF":5.3,"publicationDate":"2025-10-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145264252","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-10-10DOI: 10.1016/j.biosystemseng.2025.104306
Changbin He , Dejin Qiao , Chaoyu Du , Hongwei Jing , Yanying Guo
Pneumatic seed metering devices have become increasingly important in modern agriculture and forage production. This paper presents a novel approach to enhancing the efficiency of alfalfa seed planting through the development of an optimised distribution header in an air-blown seed metering device. By employing a coupled Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and Discrete Element Method (DEM) simulation, the study explores the fluid mechanics principles underlying pneumatic seed-metering technologies. Subsequently, by analysing the dynamic interactions between the air flow and seeds movement, and combining single-factor and orthogonal experiments, the research identified optimal design parameters that maximised the uniformity in the seed distribution. Finally, a test bench was constructed and related indoor experiments were conducted to validate the performance. The results indicated that the air velocity, the cone-apex angle, and the inlet tube diameter all affected the moving state of the air-seed flow in the distributor. The influence on the variation coefficient of seeds distribution (CV) was ranked as follows: top cover cone angle (θ2) > outlet pipe inclination angle (θ1) > inlet diameter (D). The optimal structure parameters were θ2 = 120°, θ1 = 60°, and D = 50 mm. With these values, the average CV was 7.69 %, which is appropriate for alfalfa seeding for pneumatic no-till seeders. The findings provide an efficient solution for seeding pasture seeds that are characterised by an irregular shape, small particles, and poor mobility.
{"title":"Design and optimisation of a distribution header in an alfalfa air-blown seed metering device using CFD-DEM coupled simulation","authors":"Changbin He , Dejin Qiao , Chaoyu Du , Hongwei Jing , Yanying Guo","doi":"10.1016/j.biosystemseng.2025.104306","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.biosystemseng.2025.104306","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Pneumatic seed metering devices have become increasingly important in modern agriculture and forage production. This paper presents a novel approach to enhancing the efficiency of alfalfa seed planting through the development of an optimised distribution header in an air-blown seed metering device. By employing a coupled Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and Discrete Element Method (DEM) simulation, the study explores the fluid mechanics principles underlying pneumatic seed-metering technologies. Subsequently, by analysing the dynamic interactions between the air flow and seeds movement, and combining single-factor and orthogonal experiments, the research identified optimal design parameters that maximised the uniformity in the seed distribution. Finally, a test bench was constructed and related indoor experiments were conducted to validate the performance. The results indicated that the air velocity, the cone-apex angle, and the inlet tube diameter all affected the moving state of the air-seed flow in the distributor. The influence on the variation coefficient of seeds distribution (CV) was ranked as follows: top cover cone angle (<em>θ</em><sub>2</sub>) > outlet pipe inclination angle (<em>θ</em><sub>1</sub>) > inlet diameter (<em>D</em>). The optimal structure parameters were <em>θ</em><sub>2</sub> = 120°, <em>θ</em><sub>1</sub> = 60°, and <em>D</em> = 50 mm. With these values, the average CV was 7.69 %, which is appropriate for alfalfa seeding for pneumatic no-till seeders. The findings provide an efficient solution for seeding pasture seeds that are characterised by an irregular shape, small particles, and poor mobility.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":9173,"journal":{"name":"Biosystems Engineering","volume":"260 ","pages":"Article 104306"},"PeriodicalIF":5.3,"publicationDate":"2025-10-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145264251","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-10-08DOI: 10.1016/j.biosystemseng.2025.104301
Xirui Yang , Peiyu Chen , Xingyu Wang , Haiyang Liu , Chen Ding , Haipeng Lan , Hong Zhang
In the mechanised recovery process of drip irrigation tapes, the crossing of side branches and lodged cotton stalks (CS) are significant factors contributing to the increased breakage rate. Effectively cutting the cotton stalks is key to solving this issue. Constructing a multi-scale numerical model of cotton stalks is a breakthrough method for studying their fracture process. This study analyses the mechanical properties and structural composition of different sections of cotton stalk. Based on this, adopts a finite-discrete element method (FDEM) combined with zero-thickness cohesive elements to construct a numerical model of the cotton stalk, and the model's accuracy was validated through random sampling. The results indicate that the proportion of lignified tissues in the CS gradually decreases from the base to the top, and the load-bearing capacity of the CS shifts from strong compressive and shear resistance to greater ductility and tensile strength, while the compressive force values exhibit a decreasing trend with the presence of jump points, the average values of which are located at 14.5 % (base), 56.2 % (middle), and 29.3 % (top) of the CS length. The constructed composite model of the cotton stalk accurately replicates its mechanical properties, force transfer, and damage evolution processes. The Spearman correlation coefficients for the random sampling simulation and experimental validation of CS at different sections reached 0.9998 (base) and 0.9207 (top), respectively. This study offers a groundbreaking method for investigating CS damage mechanisms and can also offer technical guidance for the recovery of drip irrigation tapes under this irrigation management model.
{"title":"Development of a FDEM model for cotton stalks based on biomechanical and structural properties","authors":"Xirui Yang , Peiyu Chen , Xingyu Wang , Haiyang Liu , Chen Ding , Haipeng Lan , Hong Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.biosystemseng.2025.104301","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.biosystemseng.2025.104301","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In the mechanised recovery process of drip irrigation tapes, the crossing of side branches and lodged cotton stalks (CS) are significant factors contributing to the increased breakage rate. Effectively cutting the cotton stalks is key to solving this issue. Constructing a multi-scale numerical model of cotton stalks is a breakthrough method for studying their fracture process. This study analyses the mechanical properties and structural composition of different sections of cotton stalk. Based on this, adopts a finite-discrete element method (FDEM) combined with zero-thickness cohesive elements to construct a numerical model of the cotton stalk, and the model's accuracy was validated through random sampling. The results indicate that the proportion of lignified tissues in the CS gradually decreases from the base to the top, and the load-bearing capacity of the CS shifts from strong compressive and shear resistance to greater ductility and tensile strength, while the compressive force values exhibit a decreasing trend with the presence of jump points, the average values of which are located at 14.5 % (base), 56.2 % (middle), and 29.3 % (top) of the CS length. The constructed composite model of the cotton stalk accurately replicates its mechanical properties, force transfer, and damage evolution processes. The Spearman correlation coefficients for the random sampling simulation and experimental validation of CS at different sections reached 0.9998 (base) and 0.9207 (top), respectively. This study offers a groundbreaking method for investigating CS damage mechanisms and can also offer technical guidance for the recovery of drip irrigation tapes under this irrigation management model.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":9173,"journal":{"name":"Biosystems Engineering","volume":"260 ","pages":"Article 104301"},"PeriodicalIF":5.3,"publicationDate":"2025-10-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145236445","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}