Jinkui Feng

Design and test of the device forming grass-braid driven by diesel or electricity

Abstract. The forming device is mainly includes the frame, shaping drum, pulling grass roller and driven roller part. The machine described in this article is mainly used for processing grass into the shape of braid. According to the working principle of the whole machine, the grass plate in two shaping drum provides the grass a rotation movement relative to two rollers. Then, the braided grass is formed by two surge of rotating grass which gathered in the middle of two grass roller. This device is suitable for the braid of alfalfa, elymus, black wheat, etc. which length is 500 mm above. The productivity is 500 kg/h and the braid diameter is 120 mm. This proposed method could meet the requirement of real-time forage processing in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. The grass braid is convenient to transport and storage.

Stimulating Effect of Low-Temperature Plasma (LTP) on the Germination Rate and Vigor of Alfalfa Seed (Medicago Sativa L.)

Low-temperature plasma (LTP) treatment was applied to stimulate the seed of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) for better germination rates and vigor with the use of an inert gas, namely neon, at various discharge power levels. The seed passed through a neon-plasma glowing zone between two horizontally parallel electrode plates within the glow discharge chamber of a seed processing machine with an internal 2~8 mm atmospheric pressure. The seed were treated for 20 s. The LTP-treated seeds were germinated at 20 oC in a germination chamber, and seedling emergence was evaluated at 24-h intervals for up to 10 days. LTP stimulation significantly increased the germination rate and vigor versus an untreated sample. Among ten discharge power levels, the 20 W treatment had the most significant effect on the rate and vigor. The use of 20 W treatment increased the germination rate and vigor by 11 % and 22 %, respectively, relative to the control. LTP treated seeds that were stored for 20 days also had higher germination vigor than those stored for 4 days. These results suggest that the use of the LTP technique with a seed processing machine is effective and practical for the purpose of stimulating crop seeds for improved germination.

Stimulating Effect of Low-Temperature Plasma on Seed Germination Characteristics of Trifolium repens

The low temperature plasma (LTP) technology a new technology, uses for pre-sowing treatments. In this research work we used the new LTP technology equipment “low-temperature plasma modified instrument” and applied different doses in LTP technology to explore its effect on seed germination and other related characteristics on Trifolium repens crop seeds. The seed germination, germination vigor, plant fresh weight, plant dry weight, plant height and root length were significantly affected by LTP doses. The maximum seed germination (73.75%) recorded at LTP 120W treatment followed by 72% at 160W. In addition early germination was observed on same treatment, while minimum seed germination was recorded at 140 Watts LTP treatment. Maximum plant height (8.16mm) at 160W and maximum root length (74.14mm) was recorded at 180W followed by root length (73.89mm) at 160W. From our present work results, it is concluded that low temperature plasma dose 160W is an optimum dose to get high germination rate and healthy seedlings of Trifolium repens crop seeds.