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Applied Agri-Technologies 2

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A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Agricultural Science and Technology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 March 2023) | Viewed by 26527

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Dimitrios Kateris

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Institute for Bio-Economy and Agri-Technology (iBO), Centre for Research and Technology-Hellas (CERTH), 38333 Volos, Greece
Interests: agricultural engineering; agricultural robotics; artificial intelligence; condition monitoring; condition monitoring bearings; fault diagnosis; operations management; vibration
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Prof. Dr. Dionysis Bochtis

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Institute for Bio-Economy and Agri-Technology (iBO), Centre for Research and Technology-Hellas (CERTH), 38333 Volos, Greece
Interests: supply chain automation; agribusiness; ICT-agri; bioeconomy
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Agriculture plays a vital role in the global economy, with the majority of the rural population in developing countries depending on it. The depletion of natural resources makes the improvement of agricultural production more important but also more difficult than ever. In this context, effective interventions in agriculture are essential for the fulfilment of its vital role, which is to maintain rural social and economic stability within sustainable development. The extensive use of applied agri-technologies results in productivity improvement and better resource use and reduces the time needed for farm management, marketing, logistics, and quality assurance.

The purpose of this Special Issue is to publish research papers, as well as review articles, addressing recent advances on systems and processes in the field of applied agri-technologies. Original, high-quality contributions that have not yet been published and that are not currently under review by other journals or peer-reviewed conferences are sought. Indicatively, research topics include:

Robotics and automation in agriculture;
Machine-embedded ICT tools,
Internet of Things (IoT) in agri-food production and agri-food chains;
Remote sensing and GIS applications;
AI applications in agriculture;
Decision support systems for agriculture;
ICT applications for precision farming;
Traceability and agri-food chains systems;
Big data and data mining for agricultural information systems;
Sustainability aspects (environmental-social) of new technologies in agriculture.

Dr. Dimitrios Kateris
Prof. Dr. Dionysis Bochtis
Guest Editors

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Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

agri-robotics
traceability
farm management information system (FMIS)
precision farming
agri-technologies sustainability
ICT applications
agricultural logistics
Internet of Things (IoT)
GIS applications
remote sensing

Published Papers (9 papers)

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Research

19 pages, 2259 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Prototype Passive Solar Drying System: Exploitation of the Solar Chimney Effect for the Drying of Potato and Banana

by Vasileios K. Firfiris, Zoi D. Kaffe, Sotirios D. Kalamaras, Antonios A. Lithourgidis, Anastasia G. Martzopoulou and Thomas A. Kotsopoulos

Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(22), 11784; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app122211784 - 19 Nov 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1689

Abstract

Agricultural product drying is of great importance as it is a reliable method for fruit and vegetable preservation. Tackling the high energy consumption of the process will reduce the final product cost and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. In this work, a passive drying method was experimentally evaluated. The method was based on the principle of the stack effect taking place in the solar chimney structure. Different types of solar chimneys in terms of dimensions and materials were evaluated for the drying of banana and potato slices. The results of the experiments showed that the drying rate was close to solar drying systems. Parameters such as height and material characteristics of drying tubes, as also weather conditions, influenced the drying rate. It was found that the banana and potato slices were dried at a satisfactory rate for almost 48 h during the summer period in Greece. From the parameters of the drying tubes that were varied, it was found that both the height and material played a major role, as did the air flow rate. With the increase in the drying tube by 1 m and with the choice of proper manufacturing material, an increase in the flow rate between 40% and 100% can be achieved. When only the color of two 3 m-high tubes changed, the flow rate varied between 4% and 15%. The proposed method has almost zero energy consumption, and it could be used as a standalone or as a part of a hybrid drying system. It can also be adjusted in existing greenhouse-type agricultural structures as a parallel operation system. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applied Agri-Technologies 2)

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23 pages, 8656 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Calibration and Testing of Discrete Element Modeling Parameters for Fresh Goji Berries

by Yang Yu, Simin Ren, Jie Li, Jiaqian Chang, Song Yu, Chao Sun and Tingmin Chen

Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(22), 11629; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app122211629 - 16 Nov 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1174

Abstract

This paper aims at the standard grading of fresh goji berries and develops a variable gap-type fresh goji berry grading machine. To establish a complete simulation model, the discrete element parameters of the model were calibrated by a combination of physical experiments and simulation experiments. The outline of the goji berry was extracted by the SFM-CMVS technique, and a goji berry model was obtained using the multi-spherical particle model filling method in the EDEM software. By designing the free-fall, suspension collision, slope slip, and slope rolling experiments, we obtained the discrete element simulation parameters: the inter-particle collision restitution coefficient was 0.158, the collision restitution coefficient of fresh goji berry–silicone rubber material was 0.195, the static friction coefficient of fresh goji berry–silicone rubber material was 0.377, and the rolling friction coefficient of fresh goji berry–silicone rubber material was 0.063. By designing the steepest ascent search and central composite design experiments with the angle of repose (AoR) value obtained from the physical experiment as the target value (31.27°), we determined the inter-particle static friction coefficient to be 0.454 and the inter-particle rolling friction coefficient to be 0.037. Validation tests were conducted on the calibrated discrete element modeling parameters, and the results showed that the established fresh goji berry model and the optimally calibrated parameter combination are effective for discrete element studies on fresh goji berries. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applied Agri-Technologies 2)

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17 pages, 6021 KiB

Open AccessArticle

An Integrated Real-Time Hand Gesture Recognition Framework for Human–Robot Interaction in Agriculture

by Vasileios Moysiadis, Dimitrios Katikaridis, Lefteris Benos, Patrizia Busato, Athanasios Anagnostis, Dimitrios Kateris, Simon Pearson and Dionysis Bochtis

Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(16), 8160; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app12168160 - 15 Aug 2022

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 3177

Abstract

Incorporating hand gesture recognition in human–robot interaction has the potential to provide a natural way of communication, thus contributing to a more fluid collaboration toward optimizing the efficiency of the application at hand and overcoming possible challenges. A very promising field of interest is agriculture, owing to its complex and dynamic environments. The aim of this study was twofold: (a) to develop a real-time skeleton-based recognition system for five hand gestures using a depth camera and machine learning, and (b) to enable a real-time human–robot interaction framework and test it in different scenarios. For this purpose, six machine learning classifiers were tested, while the Robot Operating System (ROS) software was utilized for “translating” the gestures into five commands to be executed by the robot. Furthermore, the developed system was successfully tested in outdoor experimental sessions that included either one or two persons. In the last case, the robot, based on the recognized gesture, could distinguish which of the two workers required help, follow the “locked” person, stop, return to a target location, or “unlock” them. For the sake of safety, the robot navigated with a preset socially accepted speed while keeping a safe distance in all interactions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applied Agri-Technologies 2)

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21 pages, 5759 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Design and Evaluation of a Shaping and Pruning Machine for Dwarf and Densely Planted Jujube Trees

by Bin Zhang, Yudong Liu, Huiming Zhang, Congju Shen and Wei Fu

Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(5), 2699; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app12052699 - 04 Mar 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2365

Abstract

A shaping and pruning machine for jujube trees was developed in this study to address the difficulties of high intensity and low efficiency of artificial pruning for dwarf and densely planted jujube trees in Xinjiang. The key components of the machine were designed according to the growth information and pruning technical requirements of jujube trees. Additionally, the structural and working parameters of components or parts were determined. Then, utilizing the forward speed of the machine, cutter rotation speed, and cutter diameter as influencing variables, and the missed pruning rate and stubble breakage rate as evaluation indexes, a quadratic regression orthogonal test with three factors and three levels was constructed. Meanwhile, analyses of variance and response surface were conducted to establish mathematical regression models of influencing factors and evaluation indexes, and the influence of significant factors on response indexes was analyzed. The test results were optimized, and the optimal parameter combination was obtained as follows: the rotation speed of the cutter was 2300 r/min, the diameter of the cutter was 250 mm, and the forward speed was 0.3 m/s. Then, field validation tests were conducted according to the optimal parameter combination. The results showed that the average values of the missed pruning rate and stubble breakage rate for the machine were 5.46% and 5.01%, respectively. The results indicated that the operation of the shaping and pruning machine met technical requirements for pruning jujube trees. This research contributes to rapid shaping and pruning operations in large-scale orchards of dwarf and densely planted jujube trees, which is conducive to promoting the whole mechanization management of jujube gardens in Xinjiang. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applied Agri-Technologies 2)

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14 pages, 1850 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Biomechanical Effects on Lower Extremities in Human-Robot Collaborative Agricultural Tasks

by Lefteris Benos, Christos Kokkotis, Themistoklis Tsatalas, Evangeli Karampina, Dimitrios Tsaopoulos and Dionysis Bochtis

Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(24), 11742; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app112411742 - 10 Dec 2021

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2133

Abstract

The present study pertains to a key aspect of human-robot collaborative systems which is usually underestimated, namely occupational health prolepsis. The aim of this investigation was to assess the biomechanical effects of manual symmetric load lifting related to a synergistic agricultural task that utilizes an unmanned ground vehicle to undertake the carriage of loads. Towards that goal, kinetic and kinematic data were collected from the lower extremities of thirteen experienced workers, by testing three different deposit heights (70, 80, 90 cm) corresponding to possible adjustments of the available agricultural robot. Moreover, the muscle activation levels of three lower extremity muscles and one trunk muscle were evaluated via a wireless electromyography system. Overall, the experimental findings revealed that the lower examined load height was associated with larger knee flexion moments and hip extension moments. Nevertheless, this height was related to lower activation mainly of the erectus spinae muscles. Finally, insignificant alterations were observed for the ankle joint as well as the activation levels of the other muscles. Consequently, a height equal to 90 cm is suggested, however, by avoiding extreme lumbar postures. The current results can be exploited for possible ergonomic interventions concerning the optimal deposit height of a robotic platform when a similar case is designed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applied Agri-Technologies 2)

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16 pages, 2346 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Bridging the Gaps in Traceability Systems for Fresh Produce Supply Chains: Overview and Development of an Integrated IoT-Based System

by Aristotelis C. Tagarakis, Lefteris Benos, Dimitrios Kateris, Nikolaos Tsotsolas and Dionysis Bochtis

Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(16), 7596; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app11167596 - 18 Aug 2021

Cited by 27 | Viewed by 6975

Abstract

Traceability, namely the ability to access information about a product and its movement across all stages of the supply chain, has been emerged as a key criterion of a product’s quality and safety. Managing fresh products, such as fruits and vegetables, is a particularly complicated task, since they are perishable with short shelf lives and are vulnerable to environmental conditions. This makes traceability of fresh produce very significant. The present study provides a brief overview of the relative literature on fresh produce traceability systems. It was concluded that the commercially available traceability systems usually neither cover the entire length of the supply chain nor rely on open and transparent interoperability standards. Therefore, a user-friendly open access traceability system is proposed for the development of an integrated solution for traceability and agro-logistics of fresh products, focusing on interoperability and data sharing. Various Internet of Things technologies are incorporated and connected to the web, while an android-based platform enables the monitoring of the quality of fruits and vegetables throughout the whole agri-food supply chain, starting from the field level to the consumer and back to the field. The applicability of the system, named AgroTRACE, is further extended to waste management, which constitutes an important aspect of a circular economy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applied Agri-Technologies 2)

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16 pages, 2468 KiB

Open AccessArticle

FruiTemp: Design, Implementation and Analysis for an Open-Source Temperature Logger Applied to Fruit Fly Host Experimentation

by Evmorfia P. Bataka, Vasilis G. Rodovitis, Kostas D. Zarpas, Nikos T. Papadopoulos and Christos T. Nakas

Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(13), 6003; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app11136003 - 28 Jun 2021

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2548

Abstract

FruiTemp is an open-source prototype developed to study the response of endophytic insect species such as fruit flies (Diptera: Tephrtidae) to variable temperature conditions including the controlled laboratory and fluctuating field settings. The system is a three-channel temperature sensor that consists of two precision thermistors that measure the temperature in the core and the surface of a fruit on a tree and a Harsh Environment thermistor that measures the air temperature surrounding the host at a rate of one measurement per 15 min. The sample rate can be adjusted according to the researcher’s needs. The system was successfully tested in field and laboratory experimental conditions using apples as the fruit model. The measurements on apples on trees lasted five consecutive days and produced a range of reliable data. After assessing statistical agreement and precision, the results revealed a differential bias of 0.331 °C and a proportional bias of a magnitude of 0.982. This work promotes open-source implementations allowing inexpensive solutions aiding experimentation procedures by significantly lowering operating costs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applied Agri-Technologies 2)

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17 pages, 1335 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Advisory and Knowledge Transfer Tool for Ammonia Emission Mitigation on Pig Farms in Hungary

by Marianna Magyar, Béla Pirkó, Julianna Kótiné Seenger, Nóra Hegedűsné Baranyai, Károly Dublecz, Tibor Vojtela, Renáta Rák, György Borka, Anita Szabó and Zsuzsanna Benedek

Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(13), 5970; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app11135970 - 27 Jun 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2254

Abstract

The Ammonia Gas Emission Model for Swine (AGEM-S), a nitrogen flow model, was created with the objective of assisting in the reduction of ammonia emissions in the Hungarian pig sector. Regarding the applied technological processes and considering the factors that influence ammonia emissions, the model quantifies the amount of ammonia emissions of pig farming in all stages (feeding, housing technology, manure storage, and application in the field). The aim of the project was to create a system that performs general calculations using the input data used by practicing farmers, without compromising the information content of the output data. Using this system, the input parameters can be entered as simply as possible and in the shortest possible time. In addition to demonstrating the impact of ammonia emission reduction measures to farmers from an integrated N management approach, AGEM-S has the potential to support the transfer of emission reduction technologies and practices at the farm level as a knowledge transfer tool primarily, but also as a decision support tool for technological change. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applied Agri-Technologies 2)

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13 pages, 3432 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Low-Cost Wireless Sensing System for Precision Agriculture Applications in Orchards

by Aristotelis C. Tagarakis, Dimitrios Kateris, Remigio Berruto and Dionysis Bochtis

Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(13), 5858; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app11135858 - 24 Jun 2021

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 2702

Abstract

Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) can be reliable tools in agricultural management. In this work, a low cost, low power consumption, and simple wireless sensing system dedicated for agricultural environments is presented. The system is applicable to small to medium sized fields, located anywhere with cellular network coverage, even in isolated rural areas. The novelty of the developed system lies in the fact that it uses a dummy device as Coordinator which through simple but advanced programming can receive, process, and send data packets from all End-nodes to the cloud via a 4G cellular network. Furthermore, it is energy independent, using solar energy harvesting panels, making it feasible to operate in remote, isolated fields. A star topology was followed for the sake of simplification, low energy demands and increased network reliability. The developed system was tested and evaluated in laboratory and real field environment with satisfactory operation in terms of independence, and operational reliability concerning packet losses, communication range (>250 m covering fields up to 36 ha), energy autonomy, and uninterrupted operation. The network can support up to seven nodes in a 30 min data acquisition cycle. These results confirmed the potential of this system to serve as a viable option for monitoring environmental, soil, and crop parameters. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applied Agri-Technologies 2)

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