جستجوی مقالات مرتبط با کلیدواژه "environment" در نشریات گروه "مکانیزاسیون کشاورزی"

Innovative technologies, such as smart sprayers, are pivotal catalysts for modernizing the agricultural sector and play an indispensable role in providing food for human consumption. Without the utilization of these technologies and the implementation of proper input management, it is predicted that environmental impacts will worsen in the future. Attaining sustainable production, while implementing programs to ensure food security, presents a considerable challenge for researchers and policymakers worldwide. In this research, the performance of a fixed-rate orchard sprayer was evaluated. Employing various equipment, the sprayer was then upgraded to a variable-rate sprayer, and its performance was reevaluated and compared to the fixed-rate model.

This research comprehensively evaluated a fixed-rate orchard sprayer and subsequently upgraded it to a variable-rate sprayer for further assessment. The primary components of the developed variable-rate sprayer, consists of an ON-OFF solenoid valve, a digital camera for imaging purposes, an ultrasonic sensor, a flow meter, and a control circuit. The necessary modifications were implemented on a fixed-rate turbine sprayer. The development of the variable-rate sprayer was devided into two distinct phases. The initial phase involved determining the canopy volume and acquiring the necessary information pertaining to the spraying target, specifically the tree. The subsequent phase focused on decision-making and control of the spraying rate, thereby facilitating variable-rate application. Upon laboratory examination of the samples, spectroscopic results were obtained, and the total concentration of the pesticide solution was calculated across different sections of a one-hectare orange orchard. An investigation into the sedimentation of pesticide solution was conducted across different treatments in two spraying modes namely, variable-rate and fixed-rate and at three distinct speeds: low (1.6 km hr-1), medium (3.2 km hr-1), and high (4.8 km hr-1) resulting in six treatments.

The comparative analysis of average pesticide deposition on trees revealed a significant difference between the two spraying modes; variable-rate and fixed-rate. All indicators demonstrate that the type of sprayer and the spraying speed significantly influence changes in pesticide deposition across different treatments. However, the interaction effect of the type of sprayer and the speed of spraying did not significantly impact the amount of pesticide deposition on the trees and the total consumption of pesticide per hectare. The results indicated that neither the type of sprayer, nor the speed of spraying, nor their interaction had a significant effect on the spraying quality index. Furthermore, the numerical median diameter and volume median diameter were not significantly different across the treatments.
The maximum pesticide consumption savings in the variable-rate spraying mode was 46%, achieved at a speed of 1.6 km hr-1. The maximum efficiency was 70% in the variable-rate spraying mode, occurring at a speed of 3.2 km hr-1. The lowest amount of pesticide deposition on the canopy of trees was observed in the variable-rate spraying method at the speed of 4.8 km hr-1 (1303 L ha-1), and the highest amount of deposition occurred in the fixed-rate spraying at the speed of 1.6 km hr-1 (2121 L ha-1). The highest amount of pesticide release in the air was also calculated in the fixed-rate spraying mode with a speed of km hr-1 (241 L ha-1) and the lowest value was calculated in the variable-rate spraying mode with a speed of 3.2 km hr-1.

Emerging technologies, such as smart sprayers, play a crucial role in increasing the productivity of the agricultural sector. If these technologies are not utilized, the challenges related to the sustainability of production will increase in the future. One of the critical operations in the production of agricultural products is the spraying phase. In this research, a fixed-rate sprayer was upgraded to a variable-rate sprayer, both sprayers were evaluated, and the results of this evaluation were then used to compare the two spraying systems. The results revealed that because the amount of the pesticide sprayed is controlled in real time by canopy volume detection in the variable-rate sprayer, in the best case (speed 1.6 km hr-1), it reduced pesticide consumption by 46% and reached 70% efficiency. In all the studied treatments, both the type of sprayer and the speed of spraying significantly affected changes in pesticide deposition. However, the interaction between the type of sprayer and the speed of spraying did not have a significant effect on the amount of pesticide deposition on trees or total pesticide consumption per hectare. There was no significant difference in the coverage percentage of the pesticide deposition on the target in different treatments, and the best spraying quality occurred in variable rate spraying with a speed of 4.8 km hr-1.
By using a variable-rate sprayer, while saving on the costs of chemical pesticide consumption and spraying, toxic emissions that cause environmental pollution will also be reduced. Future research should focus on developing a variable-rate system based on independent nozzles, allowing for real-time control of each individual nozzle's spraying.

Hur al-Azim wetland in the southwest of Iran has become one of the major sources of air pollution in Khuzestan province in recent years due to widespread fires. Sustainable harvesting of this huge source of biomass and controlled combustion, in addition to reducing current pollution, can play an effective role in sustainable renewable energy production. Therefore, in this study, it is tried to estimate the amount of sustainable harvestable biomass from this wetland. In order to identify and estimate biomass amount, NDVI index was used in satellite images. Also, by visiting 30 points with different NDVI index, and harvesting biomass, yield per hectare was estimated. Also, the thermal characteristics of the reed plant were investigated for use in a biomass burning power plant. Based on the results of the estimation, approximately 3,500,000 tons of reeds can be harvested annually from the total of 33,712 hectares of reeds in the Iranian part of Hur al-Azim wetland, and according to the average biomass moisture (65%), the amount of dry biomass that can be harvested annually will be about 300 thousand tons, which is a very significant number. Also, according to the results, the calorific value of the reed plant (about 20 MJ/kg), the amount of ash, the composition of the ash, as well as the composition of the elements of the reed plant organs are comparable with reference energy plants, which makes it possible to use as a fuel in biomass power plants.

Greenhouse culture is one of the agriculture sector's production methods that is highly dependent on energy. Therefore, if the efficiency of greenhouse heating systems is improved, it will have sound effects on the energy consumption of the greenhouse sector in the country. In this study, to determine the efficiency of fuel consumption of conventional heating systems in greenhouses, data were taken in 6 greenhouses in Alborz province. For this purpose, the thermal requirements of greenhouses were calculated. Then climate suitability graphs were drawn. For determining fuel efficiency, in addition to recording thermal images in the greenhouse, the status of exhaust gases such as CO, CO2, HC, O2, and NOx was recorded in the greenhouse. The results showed that the greenhouses in Alborz province need to heat for 6 months. The average efficiencies of the burners used in the greenhouses were 85%. The pollution of heating systems in these areas also showed that the percentage of CO and CO2 gases were 0.06 and 3.085 in greenhouses, respectively. HC and NOx pollutants were 9.1 and 13.36 ppm, respectively. Factors such as using non-standard heating systems and improper installation of heating systems were the most important factors in creating these pollutants.

Environmental crises and challenges such as population growth and rising food prices that have been growing over the last few decades and now are on the verge of deadlock and a point of no return, have turned the issue of environmental protection into a very serious issue in the contemporary world; thus, environmentalists have focused on the fundamental determinants of human interaction with nature, including ethics. Since human behavior is the main cause of environmental hazards, the attitude and behavior of humans towards the environment has been at the forefront of international attention in recent years. Given the close relationship between the village and environment, the ability of rural stakeholders to resolve environmental crises should be increased in any attempt to improve the environmental situation in a country. Therefore, since responsive evaluation is recognized as a promising research approach to facilitate dialogue and mutual learning and thereby improve stakeholders' ability to solve problems, the aim of this study is to provide a framework for implementing ethical behavior towards environment, considering the role of responsive evaluation in the conditions of Meydan village. But given the conditions of Meydan village, the responsive evaluation approach and thereby the framework of the present study were adapted to the social and cultural conditions of Meydan village. Finally, the operational model of the research was developed and implemented considering three pillars: A) social inclusion of subsidiary and marginal stakeholders, B) improvement in the learning interaction of stakeholders, and C) improvement in intervention methods.

One of the limitations regard to input use in agriculture is various emissions that have negative effects on natural environment. In this research, environmental impacts in canola production and transportation to oil extracting factory gate in Ardabil Providence were studied based on life cycle assessment considering four scenarios including central and north regions and Moghan Agro-Industrial & Livestock Co. with surface and sprinkler irrigation methods. The required information in this study was gathered using questionnaires and interviews with farmers and staffs of the related organizations in Ardabil Province. The results of life cycle assessment showed that nitrogen fertilizer, fuel and electricity inputs had the highest share of environmental indicators. Also, indicator normalization showed that free water ecotoxicity, eutrophication, acidification and global warming had more environmental impacts than other indicators.

Biogas is a renewable energy resource which is produced by the decomposition of organic matter by bacteria under anaerobic conditions. In order to find the appropriate locations for establishment of biogas extraction units, the availability of organic wastes and its amount estimation over the area have to be taken into consideration. The present study addresses on how the utilization of information such as rural and livestock population, and land applicable maps and geographic information system (GIS) could be used to develop a model for evaluation of biogas production from livestock manure and rural waste in Kurdistan Province. The model could be used to figure out the appropriate locations for construction of biogas extraction units. The results showed that 110.622 MMC of biogas could be annually produced using livestock manure and rural wastes in Kurdistan Province which might be a good replacement for conventional energy and lead to reduce environmental impacts.

The main objective of this study was to investigate the environmental impacts of cotton production in Golestan province of Iran using life cycle assessment methodology. The data used in the study were obtained from cotton farmers with face-to-face questionnaire method during 2011-2012. The questionnaires included total inputs of cotton production in the region and yield weight. Environmental impacts based on three functional units (FU) including: the production of one ton biomass, generation of 1000 MJ energy and 10000 Toman net income were investigated. Environmental impacts were evaluated into seven impact categories including global warming, acidification, terrestrial eutrophication, land use, depletion of water resources, depletion of fossil resources and depletion of phosphate and potash resources. Results showed that the terrestrial eutrophication and depletion of fossil resources in terms of environmental index (EcoX) and resource depletion index (RDI) had the highest potential environmental impacts. EcoX for one ton production of cotton, generation of 1000 MJ energy and 10000 Toman net income were calculated as 0.832, 0.048 and 0.036, respectively. RDI for these three functional units were 6.825, 0.396 and 0.296, respectively.

This study is an objective effort to investigate the role of wood and paper industries management in application of agricultural wastes and residues. The role of wood and paper industries management of country in sustainable development and upcoming chanlenges (including growing population and over exploitation use of sources especially forest resources, environmental pollutions, importance of sustainable development as an ensuring factor of food safety and generations rights) has discussed in present work. Therefore, the amount of agricultural residues usage in pulp and paper industries in Iran was compared, and in addition to expression of general concepts of sustainable development, following propagative approaches introduced to planners and policymakers of wood industries: training people in optimal use of raw materials, management of agricultural residues and use of these materials in the construction of composite materials, correction of management procedures in forest and waste reduction during operational stage, government support for forest planting of fast growing species, utilization of waste papers through recycling and reprocessing in paper industries, support for NGOs active in environment and recycling, cultural works and public enlightenment to clarify the statues and worth of forest and rangelands and sustainable management.