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2021 - 20224
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Subject: Farm, Machinery and Power × End date: 2023 × Start date: 2021 × Type: Thesis × Thesis Type: M.Tech. ×
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    ThesisItemEmbargo
    Effect of straw management practices on spectral based measurement of soil organic carbon
    (Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2022) Joshi, Raghav; Bector, Vishal
    Soil organic carbon (SOC) is an important soil health parameter, which helps in determining additional inputs to be added in soil. Various straw management practices improve soil organic carbon of fields. Determination of SOC in laboratory by chemical analysis is time, labor and resource consuming. VIS-NIR spectroscopy offers simple, accurate, quick and effective methods for measurement of soil organic carbon. Therefore, in the present study, spectral signatures were captured from soil samples of different straw management fields using spectroradiometer, with the aim of determining soil organic carbon. Straw managed fields, where same practices were followed from the last three years, used in the study were residue incorporated fields, conventional tillage fields and mulched fields. Partial least squares regression (PLSR), random forest regression (RF) and cubist regression model (CRM) were developed for estimation of soil organic carbon using spectral signatures. Predictive performances of the developed models were evaluated using different indices like coefficient of determination (R2), root mean square error (RMSE), mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) and ratio of performance to deviation (RPD). Spectral signatures for dried fields at depths 0-5 cm, 5-10 cm and 10-15 cm were then measured. The field data were fed into the developed models for prediction of SOC, and compared with the laboratory SOC values. Results showed that residue incorporated fields had highest mean SOC of 0.65 %, whereas mulched field had mean SOC of 0.61 % and conventional tillage field had mean SOC of 0.55 %. While checking the model performances in validation, CRM obtained highest linear R2 (0.76) and RPD values (2.02); with PLSR obtaining R2 as 0.74 and RPD as 1.98; and RF obtaining R2 as 0.63 and RPD as 1.52. For field data, highest accuracy was attained for residue incorporated fields at 5-10 cm depth when PLSR model was used for prediction.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Studies on tractor operated back-pack type axial flow combine harvester for mung bean (Vigna radiata (L.))
    (Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2021) Talukdar, Dipika; Dogra, Baldev
    Mung bean (Vigna radiata (L.)) alternatively known as green gram is an ancient and popular pulse crop in India. Pulses serve as a major source of dietary protein of vegetarians. Cultivation of summer mung bean will also help in reducing the rate of depletion of natural resources, which is a prime concern in Punjab at present. Efficient mechanized harvesting is one of the constraints in the adoption of summer mung bean. Grain losses while combine harvesting of mung bean can be reduced by using an axial flow combine harvester. Recently low cost tractor operated back-pack type axial flow combine harvesters have been introduced in local market. Attachment and detachment of tractor is much easier than tractor on top combine harvester. These have the potential to reduce harvesting losses during harvesting. Performance of this machine was evaluated at three forward speeds (FS1=2.1, FS2=3.0 and FS3=4.8 kmh-1), three cylinder speeds (PS1=11.08, PS2=13.16 and PS3=14.79 ms-1) and days (2, 4 and 6) after last irrigation. The selected dependent variables were threshing efficiency, broken percentage, cleaning efficiency and shattering losses. The results indicated that the threshing efficiency increased with increase in days after last irrigation and cylinder peripheral speed, whereas it decreased with increase in forward speed. Similarly, the grain breakage increased with increase cylinder peripheral speed and days after last irrigation, however it decreased with increase in forward speed. The cleaning efficiency increased with increase in forward speed, whereas it decreased with increase in cylinder peripheral speed and days after last irrigation. The non-collectable loss increased with increase in forward speed and days after last irrigation, however, cylinder peripheral speed did not affect it. The shattering loss increased with increase in forward speed and days after last irrigation. However, cylinder peripheral speed did not affect it. The best combination of operational variables for threshing operation was DAI3PS3FS2 i.e. six days after last irrigation, at cylinder peripheral speed of 14.79 ms-1 and at forward speed of 3.0 kmh-1. At this combination, threshing efficiency, non-collectable losses, grain breakage and cleaning efficiency were 99.28%, 4.53%, 2.96% and 95.89%, respectively. The tractor operated backpack type axial flow combine harvester saved 90.26% labour cost and 53.71% cost of harvesting compared to combination of spike tooth type thresher and manual harvesting.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Development and Evaluation of a solar photo voltaic assisted sprayer mounted on a self propelled carrier
    (Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2021) Dhar, Tushar; Rajesh Soni
    India is gifted with a vast potential in solar energy. Punjab has an average annual solar radiation is about 5.32 kWh/m?/day. This can be utilized to produce electricity using solar photo voltaic (SPV) system for running various farm devices/operations. A SPV assistedsprayermounted on a self propelledcarrier wwas developed which uses solar energy to charge the battery which simultaneouslyoperates the spray pump while the carrier was engine operated. Selection of solar panels was based on the solarradiation availabilityduringthe winter season in Ludhiana, Punjab. Hollow cone nozzles were selected for the sprayer. This was testedat pressures (2, 3 and 4 kg/cm) and heights (45, 50 and 55 cm) in a patternator for selection of best operational parameters for evaluation of field and spray parameters. The sprayer was operated at two forward speeds (0.6 and 0.7 m/s) in wheat. The application rate of the sprayerwas 156.23 1Vha at forward speed of 0.6 m/s whichwas within the recommended application rate for aphids in wheat. The actualfieldcapacitywas 0.49 ha/h and 0.59 ha/h at forward speeds of 0.6 m/s and 0.7 m/s respectively. The field efficiency of the developed sprayer was about 75-80%o. Spray parameters were determined at two different locations of the canopy(top and middle). Smaller droplets were observed at higherpressure. Uniformity coefficient variedfrom 1.59-2.32. Pressure and forward speed had a significant effect on the droplet density. The droplet density and spray coverage area was lesserat the underside of the leavescomparedto the upperside of leaves. Ground losses decreasedwith the increase in nozzle pressure.
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    ThesisItemRestricted
    Development and Evaluation of Mustard (Brassica juncea L) Seed Planter
    (Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2021) Ram Rang; Thakur, Surinder Singh
    Mustard (Brassica juncea L) is one of the important oilseed crops in India. The present study was conducted to develop and evaluate the mustard (Brassica juncea L) seed planter. Two varieties of PAU mustard were selected i.e GSC-7 & RLC-3. The engineering properties of two seed varieties (RLC-3 & GSC-7) were studied and a vertical roller type metering device was developed for the sowing of mustard seeds. Preliminary evaluation of the developed planter was done in the laboratory on the basis of following parameters: two varieties (Gobhi sarson, Raya), two notch size and three forward speed of operation (2.0, 2.5 and 3.0 km/h).The forward speed of 3.0 km/h was selected for field evaluation of machine and compared with control. Big notch setting has given better results at forward speed of 3.0 km/h.The performance of the developed planter in field were evaluated on the basis of Seed rate, germination (%), plant to plant spacing, yield and field capacity. There was significant effect of notch size on yield, The average yield was found for RLC -3 and GSC -7 varieties from date of sowing was 17.97 q/ha,18.79 q/ha,19.48 q/ha,19.18 q/ha,14.27 q/ha,11.41q/ha for treatment NSV1,NSV2,NBV1, NBV2,CV1 and CV2 respectively. The effect of notch size on germination was also significant. Average germination was observed 86.98 %, 85.59 %,86.99 %,85.40 %,78.42 % and 78.73 % for treatment NSV1, NSV2, NBV1, NBV2, CV1, and CV2 respectively. Actual field capacity of machine was found 0.46 ha/h ,0.43 ha/h, 0.50 ha/h, 0.49 ha/h, 0.26 ha/h and 0.23 ha/h for treatment of NSVI, NSV2, NBV1, NBV2, CV1, CV2 respectively.