Seree Wongpichet

Effect of waxy material and measurement position of a sugarcane stalk on the rapid determination of Pol value using a portable near infrared instrument

Near infrared spectroscopy can be applied as a rapid and non-destructive method for monitoring sugarcane quality after determining the precision and accuracy of the approach and model to be used for evaluating stems. In this study, near infrared spectroscopy has been applied to breeding management systems and commercial sugar production. Near infrared spectra were collected using a portable near infrared instrument incorporating a wavelength region of 730–1000 nm. To achieve an effective sampling technique, the investigated cane samples included stems with original cane surface and stems with cane wax removed surface. Results revealed that calibrations based on spectra recorded at only 1-position (1-position spectra) of original samples were poor, while calibrations based on stems with wax removed were acceptable for screening with RMSEP values of 1.2%Pol. Also, the 2-position averaged spectra of non-removed wax samples provided fair models, while 4- and 8-position averaged spectra gave good results with R2 of 0.78–0.82, r2 of 0.78–0.82, RMSEP of 1.2%Pol to 1.4%Pol and RPD of 2.1 to 2.4, respectively. The calibration model developed from removed-wax samples at positions 1-, 2-, 4- and 8-averaged spectra rendered effective performances with R2 of 0.73–0.82, r2 of 0.73–0.84, RMSEP of 1.2%Pol to 1.5%Pol and RPD of 2.1 to 2.5. Outcomes were not different in performance, even if the scanned positions and number of scans differed. Hence, the author concluded that 1-position spectra with removed-wax samples were convenient and suitable for the measurement of cane stalk Pol value.

Development of Cassava Digger and Conveyor Units

Aims: To design and develop the cassava digging and preparing unit and the conveying unit for the Cassava Harvester Machine. Study Design: Efficiency data. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Agricultural Engineering, Faculty of Engineering Khon Kaen University, between September 2011 and February 2012. Methodology: The Cassava Digging and Preparing Unit, and the Cassava Conveyor Unit were constructed. The Cassava Digging and Preparing Unit were functional tested on three digging angles of 20, 25 and 30 degrees on the three randomized soil moisture. The Cassava Conveying Unit was functional tested on six scooping speeds of 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5 and 3.0 m/s. After adapted the two units to the results from above. The field performance test of the prototype machine was evaluated. Results: The Digging and Preparing Unit found to be working on the angle of 20 degrees. The Conveyor Unit found to be scooping with less than 1.5 m/s of speed. The field performance test were showed that: filed capacity, field efficiency, and conveying losses were, 0.05 ha/hr., 59.10%, and 3.23% respectively without any losses caused by digging and preparing process. Conclusion: From the functional test of Cassava Digging and Preparing Unit and Conveyor Unit that were designed and developed in this research, it has been found to have the ability to solve the problem in collecting and conveying cassavas from the ground. Research Article American Journal of Experimental Agriculture, 2(3): 458-469, 2012 459 This data will pave the way for a prototype of Cassava Harvesting Machine to be fabricated.

Some Physical Properties of Cassava Concerned in Machine Design

The Physical Properties of Cassava was studied as the data for design the cassava harvesting machine. The Kasetsart-50 variety was random checked from the 14 plot and the results were showed that: the normally cultural practice of farmer were grew cassava on the ridge form with about 680 and 960 millimeters of within row and between row respectively, and on the harvesting period the ridge was about 150 millimeters height, while the length, width, penetration of cassava bunches regard to row at 90 percentile were 501, 566, and 210 millimeters respectively. The average of cassava bunches weight was 4 kilograms. The bulk density of cassava bunches was 197 kilograms/cubic meter and the angle of friction on iron surface was 23 degrees.