Tag Archives: performance

711-727 V.I. Esan, T.E. Sangoyomi, O.A. Ajayi, M. Christensen and J.O. Ogunwole
Performance evaluation and variability analysis for morpho-physiological traits of orange fleshed tomato varieties introduced in Nigeria climatic conditions
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Performance evaluation and variability analysis for morpho-physiological traits of orange fleshed tomato varieties introduced in Nigeria climatic conditions

V.I. Esan¹, T.E. Sangoyomi¹, O.A. Ajayi², M. Christensen³ and J.O. Ogunwole¹

¹Environmental Management and Crop Production Unit, B. Agriculture Program, College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science, Bowen University, PMB 284 Iwo, Osun State, Nigeria
²Food Science Program, College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science, Bowen University, PMB 284 Iwo, Osun State, Nigeria
³Heritage Food Crops Research Trust, 126A Springvale Road, Whanganui 4501,
New Zealand
*Correspondence: vincent.esan@bowen.edu.ng

Abstract:

The introduction of orange flesh tomato in Nigeria climatic conditions through characterization is the best way to understand its adaptability and fight against the lack of ß-carotene in the landraces and improved varieties currently cultivated in the country. This study was aimed to evaluate7 tomato varieties comprised of 4 orange-fleshed tomato imported from New Zealand and 3 local varieties for their morphological, agronomic and chemical composition and fruit quality characters. Phenotyping was used to assess the morphological and agronomic traits and while biochemical assays was used for fruit quality characters. The four orange fleshed tomato varieties were indeterminate and the 3 local varieties were determinate. There were significant variability and differences in plant height (54.93 cm to 72.23 cm), leaf number (14 to 24), leaf length (24.10 cm to 28.53 cm), length width (15.13 cm to 16.93 cm), internode length (2.41 cm to 3.29 cm), root collar (3.46 cm to 4.53 cm), days to 1% flowering (20 to 23), days to maturity (34 to 42), number of clusters per plant (5 to 10), fruits per cluster (4 to 6), fruit weight (72.64 g to 488.58 g), fruit length (27 mm to54.89 mm), fruit diameter (23.67 mm to 28 mm), transverse fruit section (1 mm to 3 mm), moisture content (92.30 to 95.33%), protein (0.15 to 1.02%), fat (0.15 to 1.02%), fibre (0.92 to 2.37%) and carbohydrate (1.86 to 6.41%). At the time the local varieties senesced they showed higher yields than the introduced varieties, but as indeterminate they were better than the local ones because they continued fruiting after the local ones died off. Flesh color of pericarps and ripened fruit color ranged from orange to red while fruit shape varied from highly rounded to cylindrical (long oblong). Fruit size showed variation from small to moderate size.

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817–829 M. Prístavka, K. Krištof, and P. Findura
Reliability monitoring of grain harvester
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Reliability monitoring of grain harvester

M. Prístavka¹, K. Krištof²,* and P. Findura²

¹ Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Faculty of Engineering, Department of Quality and Engineering Technologies, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, SK949 76 Nitra, Slovak Republic
² Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Faculty of Engineering, Department of Machines and Production Biosystems, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, SK949 76 Nitra, Slovak Republic
*Correspondence: koloman.kristof@uniag.sk

Abstract:

This paper is focused on evaluation of operating reliability of grain harvesters. The aim of research is to improve the efficiency of combine harvesters by calculations which indicate a minimum annual performance and try to move in profit despite the high annual costs. Methods of paper containing all conditions of monitoring and evaluating of responsibility of grain harvesters. Those harvesters worked in real operating conditions. During three years of monitoring all important and other facilities and conditions of watching were recorded. After accumulation of information, their following working was set out according to the given literary sources and according to the own discretion based on experience during monitoring. The last part is focused on evaluating results and personal proposals how to make individual components work more effective. The most important results was recorded in case of turning point calculation where in years 2013, 2014 and 2015 at values 157.93, 156.19 and 166.86 ha year-1, respectively. However, real annual performance was recorded at values 760.5, 604.6 and 905.5 ha year-1. Thus, in all years of observation the grain harvester finished in profits.

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547-555 M. Pexa, J. Čedík and R. Pražan
Smoke and NOX emissions of combustion engine using biofuels
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Smoke and NOX emissions of combustion engine using biofuels

M. Pexa¹*, J. Čedík¹ and R. Pražan²

¹Czech University of Life Sciences, Faculty of Engineering, Department for Quality and Dependability of Machines, Kamycka 129, CZ 16521 Prague 6, Czech Republic
²Research Institute of Agricultural Engineering, p.r.i., Drnovská 507, CZ 16101 Prague 6, Czech Republic
*Correspondence: pexa@tf.czu.cz

Abstract:

Production of solid particles significantly increases the dangerousness of combustion engines. The excellent sorbtion characteristics of the solid particles increases their harmful effects and makes them very dangerous component of emissions which causes health problems. Currently there are many design solutions which aim to reduce smoke of combustion engines. One of the most significant solutions suggests increasing the injection pressures up to the limit of 250 MPa and filtering the exhaust gases. The paper compares different fuels and biofuels, whether used alone or in mixtures, and their effect on smoke of supercharged CI engine. The comparison uses the 8-point NRSC (Non-Road Steady Cycle) test during which the following fuels were used: diesel, rapeseed methyl ester, rapeseed oil, Jatropha curcas oil, biobutanol, hydrotreated oil and other blended fuels. The measurement and comparison results show that using biofuels can significantly reduce smoke of combustion engine by up to tens of percent in comparison to diesel.

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1684-1693 B. Rivza, M. Kruzmetra, V. Zaluksne
Performance trends for smart growth in the rural territories of Latvia
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Performance trends for smart growth in the rural territories of Latvia

B. Rivza*, M. Kruzmetra, V. Zaluksne

Latvia University of Agriculture, Faculty of Economics and Social Development, Svetes str.9, LV-3001, Jelgava, Latvia
*Correspondence: baiba.rivza@llu.lv

Abstract:

Any country is interested in economic growth regardless of its development level in the given period; yet an increasingly important role in defining growth is played by the term smart growth. The EU development strategy until 2020 defines smart growth as a strategic objective. For this reason, economic performance trends towards smart growth and smart specialisation have become an urgent task in project No.5.2.3 ‘Rural and Regional Development Processes and Opportunities in Latvia in the Context of Knowledge Economy’ in National Research Programme 5.2. ‘Economic Transformation, Smart Growth, Governance and Legal Framework for the State and Society for Sustainable Development – a New Approach to the Creation of a Sustainable Learning Community: EKOSOC-LV’.
The research performed by the authors gives an insight into the socio-economic performance trends towards smart growth in Latvia’s regions and municipalities in particular, which are typical local administrative units in the country. The research used statistic data of the LURSOFT, Central Statistical Bureau and RDIM (Regional Development Indicator Module) databases for the period 2009–2013, examining the acquired information and performing horizontal and vertical analyses and data grouping, in order to identify the accumulation of positive/innovative changes. For a detailed examination of the mentioned phenomena, Zemgale region was selected as the territory in Latvia with an average development level. The research led to the conclusion that an increase of the proportion of knowledge-based goods (produced by high-tech and medium high-tech enterprises) and knowledge-intensive services in the overall increase of output in Zemgale region was greater than an increase in the total number of enterprises. The growth was observed both in ‘accessible’ territories and in ‘remote’ territories at different population decline rates etc. The latter allows considering that smart growth is determined not only by objective circumstances but also by local authorities, the activity of various public organisations and the readiness of residents to act under the guidance of the mentioned formations. It has to be taken into consideration when working on a territorial development strategy and achieving the objectives set in the strategy.

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499-504 R. Vettik and K. Tamm
The impact of a farm’s annual cattle slurry yield on the options for moving the slurry from stable to plot: a simulation study
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The impact of a farm’s annual cattle slurry yield on the options for moving the slurry from stable to plot: a simulation study

R. Vettik and K. Tamm

Estonian Research Institute of Agriculture, Teaduse 13, Saku, Estonia;e-mail: raivo.vettik@eria.ee

Abstract:

The economical efficacy is substantial on both occasions for feeding plants with nutrients and moving the manure from stables to the plots. The aim of the present research is to explain the limit values for the annual amount of slurry and average plot distance on a farm as conditions to decide in favour of a personal eco-friendly slurry distributor or custom equipment. In their previous researches, the authors have composed models to calculate slurry management costs for different technologies depending on plot distance, taking into account ammonia emissions. In the present study, simulations were made using the composed calculation models to compare slurry distribution costs for four slurry application technologies.Calculations show that if the annual amount of slurry exceeds 4000 m3, then for plot dis-tance over 2 km, custom slurry distribution is cheaper than using the farm’s own equipment. How-ever, if the annual quantity of slurry exceeds 16,000 m3, then the limit value for distance is 5 km.If the annual amount of slurry is 4000 m3, then full custom service is cheaper than thetechnology in which the farm’s own slurry distributor and custom transportation is used. In the case of the annual amount of 16,000 m3, it is less expensive to use the farm’s own slurry distributor and custom transportation. In order to benefit from the use of the farm’s own distributor the minimum value for annual slurry amount is 5600 m3.

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499-504 R. Vettik and K. Tamm
The impact of a farm’s annual cattle slurry yield on the options for moving the slurry from stable to plot: a simulation study
Abstract |
Full text PDF (133 KB)

The impact of a farm’s annual cattle slurry yield on the options for moving the slurry from stable to plot: a simulation study

R. Vettik and K. Tamm

Estonian Research Institute of Agriculture, Teaduse 13, Saku, Estonia;e-mail: raivo.vettik@eria.ee

Abstract:

The economical efficacy is substantial on both occasions for feeding plants with nutrients and moving the manure from stables to the plots. The aim of the present research is to explain the limit values for the annual amount of slurry and average plot distance on a farm as conditions to decide in favour of a personal eco-friendly slurry distributor or custom equipment. In their previous researches, the authors have composed models to calculate slurry management costs for different technologies depending on plot distance, taking into account ammonia emissions. In the present study, simulations were made using the composed calculation models to compare slurry distribution costs for four slurry application technologies.Calculations show that if the annual amount of slurry exceeds 4000 m3, then for plot dis-tance over 2 km, custom slurry distribution is cheaper than using the farm’s own equipment. How-ever, if the annual quantity of slurry exceeds 16,000 m3, then the limit value for distance is 5 km.If the annual amount of slurry is 4000 m3, then full custom service is cheaper than thetechnology in which the farm’s own slurry distributor and custom transportation is used. In the case of the annual amount of 16,000 m3, it is less expensive to use the farm’s own slurry distributor and custom transportation. In order to benefit from the use of the farm’s own distributor the minimum value for annual slurry amount is 5600 m3.

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