Vol. 87, No. 2
Abstract
Evaluation of Blood Cell Effects and Estimation of Retinol Concentration in Whole Blood of Fattening Cattle in the Excitation Emission Matrix
[Keywords: Japanese Black cattle, retinol, vitamin A, excitation-emission matrix, whole blood]
Japanese farmers control feed during the fattening period to lower blood retinol levels in cattle for marbled beef production, but routine monitoring is difficult, costly, and time-consuming. To address this, we developed a rapid method using Excitation Emission Matrix (EEM) in surface fluorescence of whole blood. PLS analysis showed a strong correlation between EEM and retinol levels (R2＝0.87, RMSEP＝11.2
Development of Sucrose Calibration for Sugarcane Juice Using FT-IR
[Keywords: sugarcane, sucrose, pol, FT-IR, rapid analysis, chemical-free]
The polarimetric method commonly used to measure Pol in sugarcane juice does not accurately reflect sucrose concentration and involves the use of toxic chemicals, raising environmental concerns. As an alternative, this study developed a calibration model to estimate sucrose concentration in sugarcane juice using Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy with a transmission method. The calibration model demonstrated high estimation accuracy using sugarcane juice samples, enabling sucrose determination without the need for pretreatment. Additionally, a calibration model developed with a sugar standard solution showed a similarly high estimation accuracy, with an SEP of approximately 1.0
Threshing Performance of a Combine Harvester Equipped with Comb-Shaped Threshing Teeth
[Keywords: combine harvester, threshing mechanism, comb-shaped threshing tooth, energy conservation, price reduction]
Combine harvesters are now more powerful and exhibit high-performance. With the aim of reducing their costs, we developed a prototype combine harvester having a new threshing mechanism. To reduce the power required for threshing compared with the conventional wire-tooth thresher, a thresher equipped with a comb-shaped threshing tooth was introduced in the combine. Using the combine, we harvested paddy rice and evaluated the effects of the material, shape, and arrangement of the comb-shaped threshing tooth on the threshing performance and power required for threshing. As a result, the power required for threshing of the prototype combine was about 20
Development of Remote-Controlled High-Efficiency Mower for Steep Slopes
[Keywords: mower, remote-control, hammer-knife, steep slope, weed]
A prototype hammer knife remote-controlled mower was developed that can mow weeds that grow over 1
Evaluation of Annual Cultivation Schedules via Energy Management Indices in Solar-light Plant Factories
[Keywords: solar-light plant factory, heat pump, cooling, cultivation schedule, over-summer cultivation, cropping type, energy management index, energy efficiency, productivity, profitability]
To improve the annual profitability of solar-light plant factories that utilize heat pumps for year-round cultivation, it is effective to analyze and research the optimization of the annual cultivation schedule by utilizing cooling during summer nights. In this study, we developed a method to quantify and evaluate annual energy conservation, the compatibility between energy conservation and productivity improvement, and profitability when the start of cultivation is changed arbitrarily, utilizing energy management indices. Compared with the current cropping system, over-summer tomato cultivation started in December or February, improved the annual energy efficiency, increased the annual saleable yield, and increased the annual profit by 27
Study on the Influence of Different Loading Conditions on the Results of Strength Test Simulation for 2-Post Type ROPS Mounted on Small Riding Type Agricultural Tractors
[Keywords: tractor, roll over protective structure, static strength test simulation, CAE, FEM]