Integration simulation and control practice of a designed electric fertilization device for adapting different plant spacings

Authors

  • Xianju Yuan 1. School of Automotive Engineering, Hubei University of Automotive Technology, Shiyan 442002, Hubei, China 2. Hubei Key Laboratory of Automotive Power Train and Electronic Control, Shiyan 442002, Hubei, China
  • Lei Zhang 1. School of Automotive Engineering, Hubei University of Automotive Technology, Shiyan 442002, Hubei, China 2. Hubei Key Laboratory of Automotive Power Train and Electronic Control, Shiyan 442002, Hubei, China

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.25165/ijabe.v18i2.8296

Keywords:

electric-fertilizing vehicle, staggered fan-shaped openings, mobile phone-based program, varied spacing fertilization, DEM

Abstract

Effective adjustment of fertilization spacing and amounts for different plant distances is beneficial to increase production and reduce the amount of fertilizer used. In order to achieve such a target, an electric-fertilizing vehicle with staggered fan-shaped openings in a fertilization device is proposed here, and its fertilization spacing and amounts are controlled by a control system and mobile phone-based programs. Further validating multivariable effects on fertilization spacing and amounts, such as openings, rotary speeds, and moving parameters of the vehicle, an integration discrete element model (DEM) is established so that the feasibility of the fertilization device could be evaluated before manufacturing and testing. Finally, it is reflected through field-simulated experiments that fertilizer spacing ranges from 0.27 to 5.45 m. Compared with simulated results, the absolute error varies from −0.08 to 0.05 m, and the maximum relative error is about −5.67%. Therefore, the uniform and stable fertilization for different plant spacing is semi-actively achieved by the designed device and a control system with mobile phone-based programs. The proposed simulation model is feasible, thus presenting a good reference for designing these components. Key words: electric-fertilizing vehicle; staggered fan-shaped openings; mobile phone-based program; varied spacing fertilization; DEM DOI: 10.25165/j.ijabe.20251802.8296 Citation: Yuan X J, Zhang L. Integration simulation and control practice of a designed electric fertilization device for adapting different plant spacings. Int J Agric & Biol Eng, 2025; 18(2): 124–131.

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Published

2025-04-25

How to Cite

Yuan, X., & Zhang, L. (2025). Integration simulation and control practice of a designed electric fertilization device for adapting different plant spacings. International Journal of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, 18(2), 124–131. https://doi.org/10.25165/ijabe.v18i2.8296

Issue

Vol. 18 No. 2 (2025): IJABE

Section

Power and Machinery Systems

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