Optimized design and performance evaluation of a highly precise variable rate mis-planting and replanting potato electronic-metering mechanism
IntroductionPrecise seed placement during potato planting critically determines crop distribution and density, yet mis-planting remains a persistent agricultural challenge. Current manual detection and correction methods introduce inefficiencies, increase labor costs, and risk human error.Methodolog...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-05-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Plant Science |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2025.1531377/full |
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| author | Abdallah Elshawadfy Elwakeel Ahmed Elbeltagi Ali Salem Ali Salem Ahmed Z. Dewidar Ahmed Z. Dewidar |
| author_facet | Abdallah Elshawadfy Elwakeel Ahmed Elbeltagi Ali Salem Ali Salem Ahmed Z. Dewidar Ahmed Z. Dewidar |
| author_sort | Abdallah Elshawadfy Elwakeel |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | IntroductionPrecise seed placement during potato planting critically determines crop distribution and density, yet mis-planting remains a persistent agricultural challenge. Current manual detection and correction methods introduce inefficiencies, increase labor costs, and risk human error.MethodologyTo address these limitations, this study developed and evaluated a high-precision variable-rate electronic metering mechanism (EMM) capable of automated mis-planting detection and replanting under controlled laboratory conditions. The EMM was built to operate at different planting distances and travel speeds, with its design focusing on finding the best mechanical setup before testing it in the field at four different planting distances (24.12, 31.06, 34.87, and 41.24 cm) and five speeds (2.13-6.11 km/h).ResultsThe obtained results demonstrated optimal stability at lower speeds (2.13-3.07 km/h), where sensor accuracy remained consistent, achieving peak performance (QI=98.7%, RI=100%, minimal MPI) at 41.24 cm spacing and 2.13 km/h. Performance degraded significantly at higher speeds (3.94-6.11 km/h), with factorial analysis confirming both speed and spacing as statistically significant factors affecting all indices. Furthermore, the total cost of the developed system was approximately $130 USD.DiscussionFuture experiments will include further field experiments to study the influence of field variables such as soil type, surface irregularity, and environmental disturbances on the performance of the EMM. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-4446693cecba47af82eae058d1163fbb |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1664-462X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Plant Science |
| spelling | doaj-art-4446693cecba47af82eae058d1163fbb2025-08-20T03:49:46ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Plant Science1664-462X2025-05-011610.3389/fpls.2025.15313771531377Optimized design and performance evaluation of a highly precise variable rate mis-planting and replanting potato electronic-metering mechanismAbdallah Elshawadfy Elwakeel0Ahmed Elbeltagi1Ali Salem2Ali Salem3Ahmed Z. Dewidar4Ahmed Z. Dewidar5Agricultural Engineering Department, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Aswan University, Aswan, EgyptAgricultural Engineering Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Mansoura University, Mansoura, EgyptStructural Diagnostics and Analysis Research Group, Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology, University of Pécs, Pécs, HungaryCivil Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Minia University, Minia, EgyptPrince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz International Prize for Water Chair, Prince Sultan Institute for Environmental, Water and Desert Research, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi ArabiaDepartment of Agricultural Engineering, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi ArabiaIntroductionPrecise seed placement during potato planting critically determines crop distribution and density, yet mis-planting remains a persistent agricultural challenge. Current manual detection and correction methods introduce inefficiencies, increase labor costs, and risk human error.MethodologyTo address these limitations, this study developed and evaluated a high-precision variable-rate electronic metering mechanism (EMM) capable of automated mis-planting detection and replanting under controlled laboratory conditions. The EMM was built to operate at different planting distances and travel speeds, with its design focusing on finding the best mechanical setup before testing it in the field at four different planting distances (24.12, 31.06, 34.87, and 41.24 cm) and five speeds (2.13-6.11 km/h).ResultsThe obtained results demonstrated optimal stability at lower speeds (2.13-3.07 km/h), where sensor accuracy remained consistent, achieving peak performance (QI=98.7%, RI=100%, minimal MPI) at 41.24 cm spacing and 2.13 km/h. Performance degraded significantly at higher speeds (3.94-6.11 km/h), with factorial analysis confirming both speed and spacing as statistically significant factors affecting all indices. Furthermore, the total cost of the developed system was approximately $130 USD.DiscussionFuture experiments will include further field experiments to study the influence of field variables such as soil type, surface irregularity, and environmental disturbances on the performance of the EMM.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2025.1531377/fullprecision agricultureinternet of thingsmachine learningqualified indexmis-planting indexseed monitoring system |
| spellingShingle | Abdallah Elshawadfy Elwakeel Ahmed Elbeltagi Ali Salem Ali Salem Ahmed Z. Dewidar Ahmed Z. Dewidar Optimized design and performance evaluation of a highly precise variable rate mis-planting and replanting potato electronic-metering mechanism Frontiers in Plant Science precision agriculture internet of things machine learning qualified index mis-planting index seed monitoring system |
| title | Optimized design and performance evaluation of a highly precise variable rate mis-planting and replanting potato electronic-metering mechanism |
| title_full | Optimized design and performance evaluation of a highly precise variable rate mis-planting and replanting potato electronic-metering mechanism |
| title_fullStr | Optimized design and performance evaluation of a highly precise variable rate mis-planting and replanting potato electronic-metering mechanism |
| title_full_unstemmed | Optimized design and performance evaluation of a highly precise variable rate mis-planting and replanting potato electronic-metering mechanism |
| title_short | Optimized design and performance evaluation of a highly precise variable rate mis-planting and replanting potato electronic-metering mechanism |
| title_sort | optimized design and performance evaluation of a highly precise variable rate mis planting and replanting potato electronic metering mechanism |
| topic | precision agriculture internet of things machine learning qualified index mis-planting index seed monitoring system |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2025.1531377/full |
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