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Design and Experimental Testing of an Overhead Rail Automatic Variable-Distance Targeted Spray System for Solar Greenhouses

Author

Listed:
  • Yahui Luo

    (College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China)

  • Defan Huang

    (College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China)

  • Ping Jiang

    (College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China)

  • Siliang Xiang

    (College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China)

  • Jianfei Liu

    (College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China)

  • Minzi Xu

    (College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China)

  • Yixin Shi

    (College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China)

Abstract

Crop cultivation in solar greenhouses is affected by issues such as low levels of automation in spraying machinery, inefficient spraying, and a lack of suitable spraying equipment for vertically cultivated crops, all of which are in urgent need of resolution. To address these problems, this paper proposes a suspended-rail automatic variable-distance targeted spray system. The rated working speed of the spray system is 0.3 m/s, and the rated working pressure is 0.3 MPa. This system achieves precise spraying of crops at varying heights by dynamically adjusting the position of the spray nozzle. To ensure accuracy in spraying, the system employs a laser ranging sensor for real-time measurement of crop positions and spraying distances. Combined with a parameter processing scheme, the system generates control signals to adjust the operation of the electric push rod and electromagnetic valve, thereby dynamically adjusting the spraying distance and timing. Using vertically cultivated potted peppers as experimental subjects, this study compares the performance of fixed- and variable-distance spraying modes. The results indicate that, compared to the fixed-distance mode, the automatic variable-distance mode increases pesticide adherence by 16.65% and reduces pesticide usage by 29.58%. The proposed suspended-rail automatic variable-distance targeted spray system offers an effective technical solution for the precise spraying of vertically cultivated crops in solar greenhouses and thus contributes to improved pesticide utilization efficiency, reduced pesticide residue, and lower environmental pollution.

Suggested Citation

  • Yahui Luo & Defan Huang & Ping Jiang & Siliang Xiang & Jianfei Liu & Minzi Xu & Yixin Shi, 2023. "Design and Experimental Testing of an Overhead Rail Automatic Variable-Distance Targeted Spray System for Solar Greenhouses," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-17, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:13:y:2023:i:9:p:1853-:d:1244865
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Marco Grella & Montserrat Gallart & Paolo Marucco & Paolo Balsari & Emilio Gil, 2017. "Ground Deposition and Airborne Spray Drift Assessment in Vineyard and Orchard: The Influence of Environmental Variables and Sprayer Settings," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(5), pages 1-26, May.
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