Abstract In drupe‐type fruits, pit hardening, resulting from sclerification of the fruit endocarp, is widely used as a phenological marker for both physiological studies and orchard management. spite importance hardening understanding development processes agricultural practices, however, its quantification has remained obscure precision been lost with time lax usage. this study, we mechanical device to measure physical pressure required break olive in order define timing more precisely...

Studies of new tools and methods for weed control have been motivated by increased consumer demand organic produce, regulatory demands a reduction in environmentally harmful herbicide use, the decreased availability farm workers willing to perform manual tasks, such as hand weeding. This study describes performance sprayer system commercial production that integrates two applications single pass, selective (SH) application narrow bands over crop row, non-selective (NSH) between rows. A...

Regardless of the crop production system, nutrients inputs must be controlled at or below a certain economic threshold to achieve an acceptable level profitability. The use management zones and variable-rate fertilizer applications is gaining popularity in precision agriculture. Many researchers have evaluated application final yield maps geo-referenced geophysical measurements (e.g., apparent soil electrical conductivity-ECa) as method establishing relatively homogeneous within same plot....

Typically, agrochemicals are applied to olive trees uniformly within a whole orchard without regard the spatial variability of target tree profile. The treatment efficiency can be improved by reducing spray losses associated with deposition on ground and off-target drift. goals this study were develop technique evaluate chemical resulting from Spanish design an automated control system adjust application volume based structure information incorporated in prescription map GPS technology....

Olive fruit production and oil quality distribution with respect to canopy are important criteria for selection improvement of mechanical harvesting methods. Tests were performed in a high-density olive orchard (Olea europea L., cv. Arbequina) southern Spain. Fruit distribution, properties parameters measured by taken separate samples each location tree. Results showed high percentage fruits located the middle-outer upper canopy, representing more than 60% total production. The position...

Typically, low-pressure sprayers are used to uniformly apply pre- and post-emergent herbicides control weeds in crop rows. An innovative machine for weed inter-row intra-row areas, with a unique combination of cultivation tooling band spraying six rows an electro-hydraulic side-shift frame controlled by GPS system, was developed evaluated. Two management strategies were tested the field trials: broadcast (the conventional method) mechanical using RTK-GPS experimental method). This approach...

Sensors, communication systems and geo-reference units are required to achieve an optimized management of agricultural inputs with respect the economic environmental aspects olive groves. In this study, three commercial harvesters were tracked during two harvesting seasons in Spain Chile using remote autonomous equipment that was developed determine their time efficiency effective based on canopy shaking for fruit detachment. These work intensive/high-density (HD) super-high-density (SHD)...

Trunk shakers are used for the mechanical harvesting of olive fruits oil production. Although trunk widely used, they can damage tree's bark due to slippage generated between shaker and during shaking process. The aim this research is perform a dynamic analysis study possible resonance phenomena. Dynamic was performed by clamping machine shaker-post system. results showed existence rotational rigid body modes at low frequencies. Subsequently, field tests were determine operational frequency...

In the new agricultural scenarios, interaction between autonomous tractors and a human operator is important when they jointly perform task. Obtaining exchanging accurate localization information operator, working as team, critical to maintaining safety, synchronization, efficiency during execution of mission. An advanced system for both entities involved in joint work, i.e., provides basis meeting task requirements. this paper, different techniques an tractor field environment were tested....

One objective of precision agriculture is to provide accurate information about soil and crop properties optimize the management agricultural inputs meet site-specific needs. This paper describes development a sensor equipped with RTK-GPS technology that continuously efficiently measures cutting resistance at various depths while traversing field. Laboratory preliminary field tests verified accuracy this prototype strength sensor. The data obtained using hand-operated cone penetrometer was...

A low resonant frequency, dielectric-based soil moisture sensor developed by Retrokool, Inc. (Berkeley, Cal.) wasslightly modified and tested under static laboratory conditions using from three different series (Capay silty clay, Yololoam, Metz Variant fine sandy loam) of contrasting textural composition. The response consisting frequencyand amplitude measurements was recorded over a range volumetric contents salinity levels. results indicatedthat the insensitive to changes in texture....

Variations in sinkage and cone index are of crucial importance when planning fieldwork, for determining the trafficability farm machinery. Many studies have highlighted link between higher values these parameters dramatic decreases crop yield. dry bulk density clayey soil Southern Spain were measured following each five successive passes over same land with three types tractor most widely used area (tracked, two-wheel drive four-wheel drive). In addition, (rut depth) running gear was using a...

Fuel moisture content is a basic parameter of the present fire danger rating systems and behaviour simulation programs. Diurnal Eucalyptus globulus litter fuel variation patterns in rain free periods are shown this document. Several situations relation to sun exposition, wind nocturnal dead organic fuels dew considered capacity prediction models which available literature order follows evaluated. It concluded by emphasizing good physically based model different conditions appropriate...

Residue chopping from orchard pruning is becoming a common practice in conservation agriculture after the establishment of eco-conditionality policies European Union. This type residue used to protect soil erosion and improve water balance fertility soils by improving organic matter content. However, no studies have evaluated influence residues size on coverage. study examines effect different treatments coverage an olive (cv. Picual). Treatments consisted two quantities residues,...