UDK 631 (05) Vol.

12

YU ISSN 0354-8457 No. 1-4

AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING
Reports for Southeastern Europe

Agr. Engng Vol. 12 (2006), No. 1-4, p. 1-53, Novi Sad, May 2007

Journal AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING

Publisher YUGOSLAV SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY OF AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING, Jugoslovensko nauno drutvo za poljoprivrednu tehniku Trg Dositeja Obradovia 8, SRB- 21121 Novi Sad, Serbia Tel. +381 21 6350366, Fax +381 21 459989 E-mail: mmartog@uns.ns.ac.yu, alek@polj.ns.ac.yu Copublishers VOJVODINIAN SOCIETY OF AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING (VDPT), Novi Sad DEPARTMENTN FOR AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING, Agricultural faculty, Novi Sad INSTITUTE FOR MECHANIZATION AND DESIGN ENGINEERING,Faculty of Engineering, Novi Sad Journal is founded by VDPT, Novi Sad The Journal is financially supported by the Ministry of Science and Environment Protection of the Republic of Serbia and the Society of Agricultural Engineering of Vojvodina (VDPT). Editor in Chief Prof. dr Milan Martinov Editor Prof. dr Nikola uki Technical Editor Mr Aleksandar Sedlar UDC Numbers Radmila Kevrean
CIP Kategorizacija u publikaciji Biblioteka Matice srpske, Novi Sad 631 AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING: Reports for Southeastern Europe / editor in chief Milan Martinov Vol 1, no.1/2 (sept. 1995) Novi Sad. Yugoslav Scientific Society of Agricultural Engineering, 1995-. Ilustr.- 23 cm Tromeseno. ISSN 0354-8457
COBISS.SR-ID 111736839

Editorial board Prof. Dr. Mirko Babi, Department of Agricultural Engineering, Agricultural Faculty, Novi Sad, Yugoslavia Prof. Ing. Jozef Bajla CSc, Slovak Agricultural University, Faculty of Agricultural Engineering, Nitra, Slovakia Prof. Dr. Rajko Bernik, Biotehnical faculty, Ljubljana, Slovenia. Prof dr Milan evi, Institute for Agricultural Engineering, Agricultural Faculty, Beograd-Zemun, Yugoslavia Prof. Dr. Zoltan Lang, SzIE University, Budapest, Hungary Prof. Dr. Nikola uki, Department of Agricultural Engineering, Agricultural Faculty, Novi Sad, Yugoslavia Prof. dr Milan Martinov, Institute for Mechanization and Design Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Novi Sad, Yugoslavia Prof. Dr. Jovan Crnobarac, Department for Field and Vegetable crops, Agricultural Faculty, Novi Sad, Yugoslavia. Prof. Dr. Nicolay Mihalilov, University of Rousse, Bulgaria Prof. Dr. Victor Ros, Technical University, Cluj Napoca, Romania Prof. Dr. Peter Schulze Lammers, Institut fr Landtechnik der Rheinischen Fridrich-Wilhelms Universitt, Bonn, Germany Prof. dr Milo Tei, Institute for Mechanization, Faculty of Engineering, Novi Sad, Yugoslavia Prof. Dr. Joachim Mller, Wageningen University and Research Centre, Farm Technology Group, Wageningen, The Nederlands Prof. Dr. Kamil Okyay Sindir, Ege University, Bornova, Izmir, Turkey Any statements or views expressed in the papers published in this journal are those of the authors. The editors and the Society takes no responsibility for the accuracy of such statements or views. In the interests of factual reporting, occasional reference to manufacturers, trade names and proprietary products may be inevitable. No endorsement of named products is intended nor is any criticism implied of similar products which are not mentioned. All submitted manuscripts and other correspondence should be sent to the editor at the above address. Journal is published four times a year. For subscription please contact the Editor. Printed by Grafoprodukt, Novi Sad

Agr. Engng 12 (2006) 1-4, 153

CONTENTS
Luis S. Pereira, Isabel Alves Evapotranspiration and crop water requirements Review 0354-8457 (2006)12:1-4, p. 01-15 Ivanka Georgieva, V. K. Gebov Systems and methods applied in controlling the technological process at the fodder production Original paper 0354-8457 (2006)12:1-4, p. 16-21 N. uki, A. Sedlar, R. Bugarin First inspections of mist blowers in Serbia Original paper 0354-8457 (2006)12:1-4, p. 22-29 A. Sedlar, N. uki, R. Bugarin Establishing sprayer inspection in Serbia Professional paper 0354-8457 (2006)12:1-4, p. 33-38 S. Y. Ovcharov, V. K. Gebov High precision extrapolation method in dynamic dosing systems based on weight measuring principles Original paper 0354-8457 (2006)12:1-4, p. 39-44 1

16

22

30

39

Dear readers, following newest trends Agricultural Engineering Reposts for Southeastern Europe, will continue, since 2007, to be published as electronic journal. Until now has not be decided which web site will be used for publishing of electronic form of the journal. It will be whether the site of Faculty of Agriculture, Novi Sad, http://polj.ns.ac.yu/, or the site of Vojvodina Society of Agricultural Engineering, www.poljoprivrednatehnika.org.yu. The authors are kindly asked to sent their papers now using E-mail o Editor in Chief, Prof. Dr. Milan Martinov, mmartog@uns.ns.ac.yu, or Technical Editor, MSc Aleksandar Sedlar, alek@polj.ns.ac.yu. For the paper submission authors should follow the instructions of CIGR ejournal: http://cigr-ejournal.tamu.edu/submission_instructions.html. April, 2007 Editor in Chief Prof. Dr. Milan Martinov

Agr. Engng 12 (2006)14, 153 BIBLID: 03548457 (2006)12:14, p. 0115

UDC: 631.432.21:633/635

EVAPOTRANSPIRATION AND CROP WATER REQUIREMENTS

L. S. Pereira, Isabel Alves SUMMARY Crop water requirements (CWR) are defined as the depth of water [mm] needed to meet the water consumed through evapotranspiration (ETc) by a diseasefree crop, growing in large fields under nonrestricting soil conditions including soil water and fertility, and achieving full production potential under the given growing environment. This article summarizes the essential definitions and methodologies for estimating crop water and irrigation requirements. Key words: crop water requirements, evapotranspiration INTRODUCTION Crop water requirements (CWR) are defined as the depth of water [mm] needed to meet the water consumed through evapotranspiration (ETc) by a diseasefree crop, growing in large fields under nonrestricting soil conditions including soil water and fertility, and achieving full production potential under the given growing environment. Defining crop evapotranspiration (ETc) as the rate of evapotranspiration [mm d1] of a given crop as influenced by its growth stages, environmental conditions and crop management to achieve the potential crop production, then the CWR is the sum of ETc for the entire crop growth period. When management or environmental conditions deviate from the optimal, then that rate of evapotranspiration has to be adjusted to the prevailing conditions and is called actual crop evapotranspiration (ETa). Both CWR and ETc concepts apply to either irrigated or rained crops. For irrigated crops, the concept of CWR has to be complemented by that of irrigation water requirement (IWR), which is the net depth of water [mm] that is required to be applied to a crop to fully satisfy its specific crop water requirement. The IWR is the fraction of CWR not satisfied by rainfall, soil water storage and groundwater contribution. When it is necessary to add a leaching fraction to assure appropriate leaching of salts in the soil profile, this depth of water is also included in IWR. In practice, IWR has to be converted into gross irrigation requirements to take into consideration the efficiency of the irrigation systems utilized. DISCUSSION Crop Evapotranspiration The rate of evapotranspiration ET [mm d1] can be computed with the PenmanMonteith (PM) equation:
ET = 1 (Rn G) + c p (es ea ) ra + (1 + rs ra )
1

(1)

1 Prof. Dr. Luis S. Pereira, Isabel Alves, Departamento de Engenharia Rural, Instituto Superior de Agronomia, Tapada da Ajuda, 1340-017 Lisboa, Portugal, lspereira@isa.utl.pt

where is the latent heat of vaporization [kg m3], RnG is the net balance of energy available at the surface [MJ m2 d1], (es ea) represents the vapor pressure deficit (VPD) of air at the reference (weather measurement) height [kPa], represents mean air density [kg m3], cp represents specific heat of air at constant pressure [kJ kg1 C1], represents the slope of the saturation vapor pressuretemperature relationship at mean air temperature [kPa C1], is the psychometric constant [kPa C1], rs is the bulk surface resistance [s m1], and ra is the aerodynamic resistance [s m1]. The PM Eq. (1) can be utilized for the direct calculation of crop evapotranspiration since the surface and aerodynamic resistances are cropspecific. However, data for these crop characteristics are scarce for most crops. The transfer of heat and vapor from the evaporative surface into the air in the turbulent layer above a canopy is determined by the aerodynamic resistance ra [s m1] between the surface and the reference level above the canopy: z d z d ln m ln h z z om oh (2) ra = k 2 uz where zm is the height of wind velocity measurements [m], zh is the height of air temperature and humidity measurements [m], d is the zero plane displacement height [m], zom is the roughness length relative to momentum transfer [m], zoh is the roughness length relative to heat and vapor transfer [m], uz is the wind velocity at height zm [m s1] and k is the von Karman constant (= 0.41). Equation (2) assumes that the evaporative surface may be represented as a big leaf inside the canopy. However, exchanges in the top layer of the canopy, between heights d + zom and the crop height h [m] are important as sources of vapor fluxes. Adopting d + zom as the level of the evaporative surface can lead to overestimation of ra and underestimation of rs. Thus, in alternative ra can be computed from the top of the canopy:

zm d zh d ln ln z hd om ra = 2 k uz

(3)

Both parameters d and zom depend upon the crop height, h, and canopy architecture. Information exists relating d and zom to h. Most of these relationships are cropspecific. More general functions also consider the leaf area index, LAI, or the plant area index (Pereira and Alves, 2005). The height zoh is estimated as a fraction of zom, commonly zoh = 0.1 zom for short and fully developed canopies. The factor 0.2 is often preferred for tall and partialcover crops. However, there is relatively small impact on ET calculations from selecting a zoh/zom ratio between 0.1 and 0.2. The surface resistance, rs [s m1], for fullcover canopies is often expressed by
(4) 1], and LAI is the where rl is the bulk stomata resistance of a wellilluminated leaf [s m eff effective leaf area index [ ], usually taken as 0.5 LAI. rl usually increases as a crop matures rs =rl /LAIeff

and begins to ripen. Typical values for rl and rs are listed e.g. by Allen et al. (1996). The use of these equations for prediction of crop water requirements is difficult due to differences among varieties and crop management practices. Information on stomata conductance or stomata resistance available in the literature is mainly oriented to physiological or ecophysiological studies, rather than practical agricultural management. Information on bulk stomata resistances is still scarce. Resistances rl and rs are influenced by climate and water availability. rs increases when soil water availability limits ET, the VPD increases and ra is higher. rs decreases when energy available at the surface increases. In general, rs varies according to: c p VPD (5) rs = ra 1 + (1 + ) (Rn G) where is the Bowen ratio (the ratio between the sensible and latent heat fluxes). In this equation plays the role of a waterstress indicator (Alves and Pereira, 1999). This equation illustrates that weather variables interact and their influences are interdependent, thus adding to the difficulties in appropriately selecting rs. These difficulties create challenges in applying the PM equation or other multilayer resistance equations to estimate ET from agricultural crop canopies. Current research work is focused on improving our ability to apply the PM equation or multilayer ET models to specific agricultural crops; this work often utilizes relatively complex computer models. Meanwhile, the PM equation is used to compute the reference evapotranspiration and to determine ETc with crop coefficients.

Crop coefficients Crop evapotranspiration, ETc [mm], can be calculated by multiplying the reference evapotranspiration, ETo [mm], by a dimensionless crop coefficient, Kc:
ETc =K c ETo (6) The reference crop is a hypothetical crop with an assumed height of 0.12 m having a surface resistance of 70 s m1 and an albedo of 0.23, closely resembling an extense surface of green grass of uniform height, actively growing and adequately watered. The reference evapotranspiration ETo [mm d1] can then be easily computed with the PM Eq.(1) since the aerodynamic and surface resistance terms can be parameterized, resulting in the FAO PenmanMonteith (FAOPM) equation: 900 0.408 (Rn G) + u2 ( e s e a ) T + 273 ETo = (7) + (1+ 0.34 u2 ) where, in addition to variables defined for Eq. (1), T is mean daily air temperature [C] and u2 is wind speed [m s1], both at 2 m height. (For hourly calculations see Allen et al., 2006) The reference crop corresponding to a living, agricultural crop (i.e., a coldseason clipped grass) incorporates the majority of the weather effects into ETo estimates. Therefore, since ETo represents an index of climatic demand on evaporation, the Kc varies predominately with the specific crop characteristics and little with climate. This enables the transfer of standard values for Kc between locations and climates. Kc represents an integration of the effects of three primary characteristics that distinguish the crop from the reference: crop height (affecting roughness and aerodynamic resistance); cropsoil surface resistance (related to leaf area, fraction of ground covered by vegetation, leaf age and condition, degree of stomata control, and soil surface wetness); 3

and albedo of the cropsoil surface (influenced by the fraction of ground covered by vegetation and soil surface wetness). Two Kc approaches are considered. The first uses a timeaveraged Kc to include multi day effects of evaporation from the soil. The second concerns the basal crop coefficient and a separate calculation of evaporation from the soil. The crop coefficient curve represents the changes in Kc over the length of the growing season (Fig. 1). Its shape relates to changes in the vegetation and ground cover during plant development and maturation that affect the ratio ETc/ETo. Shortly after planting of annuals, or the initiation of new leaves for perennials, the value for Kc is often small. The Kc increases from that initial value, Kc ini, at the beginning of rapid plant development and reaches a maximum, Kc mid, at the time of maximum or near maximum plant development, the midseason period. During the late season period, as leaves begin to senesce, the Kc begins to decrease until it reaches a lower value, Kc end, at the end of the growing period.

K c mid
1.2 1.0

K c end

Kc

0.8 0.6 0.4 0.2 0.0

Kc ini

Time of Season, days

Fig. 1: Generalized crop coefficient curve from planting or initiation to harvesting or dormancy (from Allen et al., 1998)
The form for the equation used in the dual Kc approach is:

K c =K s K cb +K e

(8)

where Ks is the stress reduction coefficient [0 1], Kcb is the basal crop coefficient [0 ~1.4], and Ke is the soil water evaporation coefficient [0 ~1.4]. Kcb represents the ratio ETc/ETo when the soil surface layer is dry but the average soil water content of the root zone is adequate to sustain full plant transpiration, thus representing the baseline potential Kc in the absence of evaporation from the soil (Fig. 2). Ks reduces the value of Kcb when the soil water content is not adequate.

1.4 1.2 1

Kcb + Ke

Kc

0.8 0.6 0.4 0.2 0 0

Ke K cb

20 40 60 80 100 Days after Planting or Greenup

Fig. 2: Crop coefficient definitions showing the basal crop coefficient Kcb, which approximates canopy transpiration, the soil evaporation coefficient, Ke,
Because Eq. (8) requires the calculation of a daily soil water balance for the surface soil layer, a simplification is required for routine application. The timeaveraged Kc is then adopted:
K c =K cb +K e

(9)

where K cb +K e represents the sum of the basal Kcb and timeaveraged effects of evaporation from the soil, Ke. Typical shapes for the Kcb, Ke and Kcb + Ke curves are shown in Fig. 2. When summed, the values for Kcb and for Ke represent the total crop coefficient, Kc. The timeaveraged Kc is used for planning, irrigation system design, and typical irrigation management. The dual Kc is best where effects of daytoday variation in soil surface wetness are important to estimate the resulting impacts on daily ETc, soil moisture profile, and deep percolation.

The single crop coefficient approach A simple procedure may be used to construct the Kc curve (Fig. 3): Divide the growing period into four general growth stages that describe crop phonology or development, and determine the lengths [days] of these stages. The four crop growth periods are: Initial: for annual crops, duration is from planting date to approximately 10% ground cover. For perennials, the planting date is replaced by the "greenup" date, when initiation of new leaves occurs. Crop Development: from 10% ground cover to effective full cover,which often occurs at the initiation of flowering or when LAI reaches 3.

K c mid
1.2 1.0 Planting / Greenup

Kc

0.8 0.6 0.4 0.2 0.0 Initial Period Crop Dev. Period Mid Season Period

K c end

K c ini
Late Season Period

Time of Season, days

Fig. 3: Crop coefficient (Kc) curve and crop development stages definitions (from Allen et al., 1998) Mid Season: from effective cover to start of maturity, which is often indicated by the beginning of the ageing, yellowing or senescence of leaves, leaf drop, or the browning of fruit. Late Season: from start of maturity to harvest or full senescence. For some perennial vegetation in frostfree climates, crops may grow year round so that the date of termination may be taken as the same as the date of "planting". Identify the three Kc values that correspond to Kc ini, Kc mid and Kc end. Connect straight line segments through each of the four growth stage periods. The length of crop growth stages are cropspecific and change duration with crop variety, planting date, cultivation practices and weather conditions, mainly air temperature. The length of crop growth stages may be predicted using cumulative degreebased equations or plant growth models. The lengths of the initial and development periods may be relatively short for deciduous trees and shrubs that develop new leaves in the spring at relatively fast rates. The Kc ini should then reflect the ground condition prior to leaf initiation, including the amount of grass or weed cover, soil wetness, tree density, and mulch density. The length of the lateseason period may be relatively short for vegetation killed by frost or for crops harvested before senescence. The value for Kc end should reflect thesoil surface condition and that of the vegetation following plant death or harvest. Indicative lengths of growth stages are given in FAO Guides. However, local observations or information should be used to incorporate effects of plant variety, climate and cultural practices. Values for Kc ini, Kc mid and Kc end are listed in Appendix 1 (page 4547) for various agricultural crops. Usually there is close similarity in Kc within the same crop group, since the plant height, leaf area, ground coverage and water management are usually similar. The Kc values in Appendix 1 represent potential water use by healthy, diseasefree, and densely planted stands of vegetation, with adequate levels of soil water. When stand density, height, or leaf area are less than that attained under perfect or normal conditions, Kc should be reduced by as much as 0.3 0.5 for poor stands, according to the amount of effective leaf area relative to healthy vegetation with normal planting densities. The Kc ini values in Appendix 1 are only approximate because they vary widely with soil wetting conditions and because ET during the initial stage for annual crops is predominately
6

in the form of evaporation from the soil. Therefore, estimates for Kc ini must consider the frequency of irrigation and rainfall that wet the soil surface. Evaporation from bare soil, Es [mm d1], can be characterized as occurring in two stages (Fig. 4). During stage 1, termed the "energylimited" stage and having a duration t1 [days], moisture is transported to the soil surface at a rate sufficient to supply the potential rate of evaporation, Eso [mm d1], which is governed by energy availability at the soil surface. Eso can be estimated from

E so =1.15ETo
where ETo is averaged for the initial period [mm d1].

(10)

Evaporation Rate, mm d-1

Stage 1 Drying

Stage 2 Drying

REW De

TEW

Depth of Soil Water Evaporated, D e, mm

Fig. 4: Two stages model for soil evaporation (from Allen et al., 1998). TEW and REW stand for total and readily evaporable water, respectively
Stage 2 is termed the "soil waterlimited" stage, where hydraulic transport of subsurface water to the soil surface is smaller, thus making Es < Eso. A portion of the evaporation occurs from below the soil surface, and energy is supplied by transport of heat into the soil profile. Es decreases as soil moisture decreases and can be assumed to be linearly proportional to the depth of water remaining in the evaporation layer. When the time interval [days] between two successive wettings is tw > t1, Kc ini is approached as:

(11) where REW is the readily evaporable water, corresponding to the depth of evaporation when stage 1 drying is complete [mm], TEW is the total evaporable water, i.e. the maximum

REW (t w t1 ) E so 1 + TEW REW TEW (TEW REW ) exp TEW K c ini = t w ETo

evaporation depth when soil evaporation effectively ceases [mm]. From the concept of stage 1 drying results t1 = REW / Eso. When tw < t1, the entire process resides within stage 1, then
K c ini =Eso ETo

(12)

Where furrow or trickle irrigation is practiced, and only a portion of the soil surface is wetted, Kc ini in Eq. (11) and (12) should be reduced in proportion to the average fraction of wetted soil surface, fw (ranging from 0, when no rain or irrigation occur, to 1). Indicative values for fw are shown in Table 1. The infiltration depth from irrigation, Iw [mm], should also be adjusted:

Iw =I /fw
where I is the total irrigation depth [mm].

(13)

Table 1: Indicative values of the average fraction of wetted soil surface, fw. Irrigation method
Rain, sprinkling, basin and border irrigation Furrow irrigation Irrigation with alternate furrows Trickle irrigation

fw
1.0 0.4 to 0.6 0.3 to 0.4 0.2 to 0.5

REW is higher for mediumtextured soils and is lower for coarse soils. Maximum values for REW (REWmax) may be predicted according to soil texture:

REW max = 20 0.15 (Sa) for Sa >80% REW max =110.06 (Cl) for Cl>50% REW max = 8 + 0.08 (Cl) for Sa<80%, Cl> 50%
where Sa and Cl are the fractions of sand and clay in the soil [%]. The TEW value is governed by the depth of soil contributing to evaporation, ze [100 to 150 mm]. The soil waterholding properties within this evaporative layer, the presence of a hydraulically limiting layer beneath it, the unsaturated hydraulic conductivity, the conduction of sensible heat into the soil, and any root extraction of water from the evaporative layer all influence TEW. An approximation to TEWmax is: TEW max = z e (FC 0.5 WP ) (ETo 5 mm d1) (15)
TEW max = z e (FC 0.5 WP ) ETo 5

(14)

(ETo < 5 mm d1)

(16)

where FC and WP are the soil water content at field capacity and wilting point [mm mm1]. Typical values for FC and WP are given in Table 2. The average total water available for evaporation, Da [mm], during each drying cycle is computed from the average depth [mm] added to the evaporative layer at each wetting: Da =Pmean + Wini nw (17)

where Wini is the available soil water [mm] in the evaporation layer at the time of planting,
nw is the number of wetting events and Pmean is the average depth [mm] of water added to

the evaporating layer at each wetting event. Pmean can be obtained with:
Table 2: Typical soil water characteristics for different soil types (Allen et al., 1998). Soil type Soil water characteristics Amount of water that can be depleted by evaporation for ze=0.10 m

(USA Soil Texture Classification) Sand Loamy sand Sandy loam Loam Silt loam Silt Silt clay loam Salty clay Clay

FC m3/m3 0.07 0.17 0.11 0.19 0.18 0.28 0.20 0.30 0.22 0.36 0.28 0.36 0.30 0.37 0.30 0.42 0.32 0.40

WP m3/m3 0.02 0.07 0.03 0.10 0.06 0.16 0.07 0.17 0.09 0.21 0.12 0.22 0.17 0.24 0.17 0.29 0.20 0.24

(FCWP) m3/m3 0.05 0.11 0.06 0.12 0.11 0.15 0.13 0.18 0.13 0.19 0.16 0.20 0.13 0.18 0.13 0.19 0.12 0.20

Stage 1 REW mm 27 48 6 10 8 10 8 11 8 11 8 11 8 12 8 12

stages 1 and 2 TEW* mm 6 12 9 14 15 20 16 22 18 25 22 26 22 27 22 28 22 29 (18)

Pmean =( Pn + Iw ) nw

but where each value of Pn and Iw must be limited to Pn TEWmax and Iw TEWmax. The values for TEW and REW in Eq. (11) are calculated from TEWmax and REWmax as:

TEW = min TEWmax , Da and

(19)

Da (20) REW = REWmax min , 1 TEWmax When Eqs. 14 to 16 are used, appropriate checking of results is required. An update and extension of calculation procedures is presented by Allen et al. (2005a)
Kc adjustment for climate The Kc mid and Kc end values in Appendix 1 represent Kcb + Ke for irrigation management and precipitation frequencies typical of a subhumid climate where RHmin = 45% and u2 = 2 m s1. Under humid and calm conditions, the Kc for "fullcover" agricultural crops generally do not exceed 1.0 by more than about 0.05, because "fullcover" agricultural crops and the reference crop behave similarly regarding absorption of shortwave radiation, the primary energy source for evaporation under humid and calm conditions. Because the VPD is small under humid conditions, differences in ET caused by differences in ra between the agricultural and the reference crop are also small, especially with lowtomoderate wind speeds. Thus the values of Kc are less dependent on differences between the aerodynamic 9

crops. Because the Kc mid and Kc end in Appendix 1 represent conditions where RHmin 45% and u2 2 m s1, when climatic conditions deviate from these values, the tabled values need to be adjusted:
0 .3

components of ETc and ETo. On the contrary, under arid conditions, the effect of differences in ra between the agricultural and the reference crop on ETc become more pronounced because the VPD is often large. Hence, Kc will be larger under arid conditions, mainly for tall

h K c =(K c )tab + [0.04 (u2 2)0.004 (RHmin 45 )] (21) 3 where (Kc)tab represents the Kc mid or Kc end taken from Appendix 1, u2 is the average daily wind speed at 2 m height [m s1], RHmin is the average daily minimum relative humidity [%], and h is the average plant height [m], all averages referring to the midseason or the lateseason period. Indicative values for h are listed in Appendix 1, but it should better be obtained from field observations. When crops are allowed to senesce and dry in the field (Kc end < 0.45), no adjustment is necessary.
Kc adjustment for nonpristine conditions The values of Kc in Appendix 1 reflect typical crop and water management practices. When local water management and harvest timing deviate from those typical, then adjustments should be made to Kc mid and Kc end. When stand density, height or leaf area of the crop are less than that attained under appropriate crop and irrigation management conditions, the value for Kc is reduced by 0.1 to 0.5, according to the amount of effective (green) leaf area relative to that of healthy vegetation having normal plant density: (22) K c =K c table A cm

where Acm is the adjustment factor [0 0.5] that can be approximated through a green cover ratio of the type A cm =1LAIactual /LAInormal (23) where the LAI refers to the midseason period. As referred further, other procedures, including remote sensing, may be used to estimate the Kc values for nonpristine conditions.
The dual crop coefficient approach

The basal crop coefficient, Kcb (Eq. 8) represents primarily the transpiration component of ET. Its use provides for separate adjustment for wet soil evaporation immediately following rain or irrigation events. This results in more accurate estimates of ETc when computed on a daily basis. Recommended values for Kcb are listed in Appendix 1,which must be adjusted for climate using a similar equation to Eq. (21). The computation of the soil water evaporation coefficient Ke is based on the fact that evaporation from the soil is governed by the amount of energy available at the soil surface, which depends, in turn, on the portion of total energy that has been consumed by plant transpiration. Ke decays after a wetting depending on the cumulative amount of water evaporated from the surface soil layer. Thus Ke can be calculated from

10

K e = K r K c max K cb

(24)

where Kr is the evaporation reduction coefficient [01] and Kc max is the maximum value for Kc following rain or irrigation. However, Ke is limited by the fraction of wetted soil exposed to sunlight, few [0.011]: K e few K c max (25)

Kc max represents an upper limit on ET from any cropped surface [1.05 to 1.35]. It should change with climate similarly to Kc (Eq. 21), thus:
K c max =max 1.2 + [0.04 (u2 2) 0.004 (RHmin 45 )] h 3
0 .3

, K cb + 0.05

(26)

u2, RHmin and h may refer to the midseason period or, when more detailed computations are applied, be averaged for shorter periods (e.g., five days). h for the initial period can be considered the same as for the grass reference crop (h = 0.12 m). The method used to estimate evaporation from soil is similar to the one used to compute Kc ini, where the evaporation rate is at the maximum rate until the depth of water evaporated, De [mm], equals REW (Fig. 4). When De > REW, the evaporation process is in stage 2, and its rate decreases in proportion to the remaining water. Therefore, Kr (Eq. 24) may be calculated as:

K r =1

for De REW

(27a)

Kr =

TEW De TEW REW

for De > REW

(27b)

REW and TEW may be estimated with Eq. 14 through 20. De, the current depth of water depleted from the few fraction of wetted soil exposed to sunlight, is computed from the daily water balance of the upper 100 to 200 mm of the soil Ii K ET + e o + Ts i De i =De i1 Pi RO i (28) f fw ew i limited to [0 De i TEW], where the subscript i refers to the day of estimation, Pi is the

i is runoff [mm] [0 ROi Pi], I i is the net irrigation depth [mm] that 13), (Ke ETo / few)i is the evaporation from the few fraction of the [mm], and Ts i is the transpiration from the fw fraction of the evaporating soil layer [mm]. To initiate the water balance, De i = 0 immediately following a heavy rain or irrigation, or De i = TEW if a long time has passed since the last wetting. When Pi < 0.2 ETo, it may be ignored. For most applications RO i = 0 and for the majority of crops, except for very shallowrooted crops, Ts i can be neglected. When the complete soil surface is fully wetted (e.g., by precipitation or sprinkler

precipitation [mm], RO infiltrates the soil (Eq. exposed soil surface

irrigation), few = (1fc), where fc is the average fraction of ground covered by vegetation [0

11

0.99]. For irrigation systems where only a fraction of the soil surface is wetted, few is calculated as: few =min (1 fc , f w ) (29) When not observed, fc can be estimated daily from
K cb K c min (30) fc = K c max K c min Kc min is the minimum Kc for dry, bare soil [0.15 0.20]. The exponent "1+0.5h" represents the effect of plant height on shading the soil and in increasing the Kcb given a
1+ 0.5h

specific value for fc. (Kcb Kc min) 0.01 for numerical stability. Kcb values are reduced when the soil water content in the root zone is too low to sustain transpiration at potential levels. The reduction is made through the water stress coefficient, Ks [0 1]: WP Ks = (31) ( < p) p WP where is actual average soil water content in the root zone [mm mm1] and p is the threshold below which transpiration is decreased due to water stress [mm mm1]. By definition, Ks = 1.0 for > p. The threshold p is: p = (1 p )(FC WP )

(32)

where p is the depletion fraction for no stress [0 1]. Indicative values can be found in Appendix 1. The determination of Ks requires a daily balance of soil water content. Further and updated information is provided by Allen et al. (2005b).
Kc for nonpristine and unknown conditions For vegetation where the Kc is not known, but where estimates of the fraction of ground surface covered by vegetation can be made, Kcb mid can be approximated as:

K cb mid =K c min + K cb full K c min fc eff

1 1+ h

(33)

where fc eff is the effective fraction of ground covered by vegetation [0.01 1], and Kcb full is the maximum value for Kcb for vegetation having complete ground cover:
h (34) K cb full = min [(1.0 + 0.1h), 1.2] + 0.04 (u2 2) 0.004 (RHmin 45 ) 3 For small, isolated stand sizes, Kcb full may need to be increased beyond the value
0 .3

given by the equation above. Kcb full may be reduced for vegetation that has a high degree of stomatal control.

12

IRRIGATION WATER REQUIREMENTS

The soil water balance is calculated for the effective rooting depth as:
i =i1 +

(P RO )+I
i i

w i ETc i DPi +GWi

1000 z r i

(35)

where, in addition to the symbols used before, DPi represents deep percolation [mm], GWi is groundwater contribution [mm], and zr i is the rooting depth [m], all referred to day i. DP is often estimated as DPi = 0 when i FC and DPi = 1000 (i FC) zr i otherwise. GW is estimated from soil hydraulic properties and the water table depth. zr i can be predicted assuming a linear variation from planting to maximum rooting. Maximum root depths for most common crops are presented in Appendix 1. The latest date for scheduling irrigation to avoid water stress is when i = p (Eq. 32). However, irrigation is often scheduled when the "managementallowed depletion", MAD, is attained. Generally, MAD < p when there is risk aversion or uncertainty, and MAD > p when plant water stress is intentional. Then, i = MAD = (1 MAD)(FC WP ) + WP (36)

Table 3: Indicative values of irrigation efficiencies. System Irrigation methods Surface irrigation, precision levelling furrow border basin Surface, traditional furrow border basin basin, rice fields Sprinkler solid set handmove lateral sideroll wheel move traveller sprinkler lateral move systems, center pivot Microirrigation trickle, 3 emitters per plant trickle, < 3 emitters per plant bubblers and sprayers line source emitters Distribution and transport systems pipe lined canals nonlined canals Efficiency (%)

65 85 70 85 70 90 40 70 45 70 45 70 25 50 65 85 65 80 65 80 55 70 65 85 85 95 80 90 85 95 70 90 95 100 60 90 55 85

The net irrigation depth to be applied will be

13

Iw i = 1000 zr i (FC i )

(37)

which summed for the entire season leads to the irrigation water requirement (IWR): ETc Pe GW S (38) 1LR where Pe is the effective precipitation (gross precipitation less all runoff and deep IWR = percolation), GW is groundwater contribution, S is the change in soil water storage in the root zone between planting and harvesting, and LR is the leaching requirement (the percentage of irrigation water that must pass through the root zone to keep the salinity of the soil below a specified value). The soil water balance is currently computed through crop water simulation models, which allow the selection of best irrigation scheduling alternatives. The gross irrigation water requirement is computed as IWR (39) GIWR= Eff where Eff is the efficiency of the irrigation system. Indicative values of the efficiencies are presented in Table 3.
CONCLUSION This article summarizes the essential definitions and methodologies for estimating crop water and irrigation requirements. The concept of reference evapotranspiration is assumed relative to a crop canopy such as grass but with constant crop characteristics. The hypotheses on which this approach is based are discussed relative to crop surface and aerodynamic resistances to heat and vapor fluxes. The crop evapotranspiration is defined using crop coefficients applied to the reference evapotranspiration, which reflect the canopy differences between the crop and the reference crop. Both time averaged and dual crop coefficients are explained, the first when the coefficients relative to crop transpiration and evaporation from the soil are summed and averaged for the crop stage periods, the later when a daily calculation of transpiration and evaporation coefficients is adopted. Finally, the essential information on the soil water balance to estimate crop irrigation requirements is provided. Several figures and tables are included to support both the text and calculation procedures.
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

REFERENCES Allen, R.G., Pruitt, W.O., Businger, J.A., Fritschen, L.J., Jensen, M.E., Quinn, F.H., 1996. Evaporation and Transpiration. In: Wooton TP, Cecilio CB, Fowler LC, Hui SL, Heggen RJ (eds.) ASCE Handbook of Hydrology, pp. 125252, ASCE, New York. Allen R.G., Pereira L.S., Raes D., Smith M., 1998. Crop Evapotranspiration. Guidelines for Computing Crop Water Requirements. FAO Irrig. Drain. Pap. 56, FAO, Rome, 300 pp. Allen, R.G., Pruitt, W.O., Raes, D., Smith, M., Pereira L.S., 2005a. Estimating Evaporation from Bare Soil and the Crop Coefficient for the Initial Period Using Common Soils Information. J. Irrig. Drain. Engng. 131(1): 1423. Allen, R.G., Pereira L.S., Smith, M., Raes, D., Wright, J.L., 2005b. FAO56 Dual Crop Coefficient Method for Estimating Evaporation from Soil and Application Extensions. J. Irrig. Drain. Engng. 131(1): 213. Allen R.G., Pruitt W.O., Wright J.L., Howell T.A., Ventura F., Snyder R., Itenfisu D., Steduto P., Berengena J., Yrisarry J.B., Smith M., Pereira L.S., Raes D., Perrier A., Alves I., Walter I., Elliott R., 2005. A recommendation on standardized surface

14

resistance for hourly calculation of reference ETo by the FAO56 PenmanMonteith method. Agric. Water Manage. (in press). 6. Alves, I., 1995. Modeling crop evapotranspiration. Aerodynamic and surface resistances. Ph. D thesis, Instituto Superior de Agronomia, Lisboa [in Portuguese] 7. Alves I, Pereira LS, 2000. Modelling surface resistance from climatic variables? Agric. Water Manag. 42: 371385. 8. Pereira L.S., Allen R.G., 1999. Crop Water Requirements. In: HN van Lier, LS Pereira, FR Steiner (Eds.) CIGR Handbook of Agricultural Engineering, Vol. I: Land and Water Engineering, ASAE, St. Joseph, MI: 213262. 9. Pereira L.S., Alves I., 2005. Crop water requirements. In: D. Hillel (ed.) Encyclopedia of Soils in the Environment. Elsevier, London and New York, Vol. 1, pp. 322334. 10. Pereira LS, van den Broek B, Kabat P, Allen RG (Eds.) (1995) CropWater Simulation Models in Practice. Wageningen Press, Wageningen, 339 pp. 11. Pereira L.S., Smith M., Allen R.G., 1998. Mthode Pratique de Calcul des Besoins en Eau. In: JR Tiercelin (Ed.) Trait dIrrigation, Lavoisier, Technique & Documentation, Paris: 206231.

15

Agr. Engng 12 (2006) 14, 153 BIBLID: 03548457 (2006)12: 14, p. 1621 UDC: 006:631.3: 621.313.333: 636.086.3

SYSTEMS AND METHODS APPLIED IN CONTROLING THE TECHNOLOGICAL PROCESS AT THE FODDER PRODUCTION
Ivanka Georgieva, V. K. Gebov1

SUMMARY In modern systems for fodder production new techniques for control of the process are increasingly initiated, which makes possible the realization of new technological tasks. At the development of the tense metrical weighing system a different approach had been chosen, which includes constructing a net MPI (Multi point interface) of the PLCSiemens and microprocessor modules (based on hcs12), which have in their structure tense metrical transducers of Analog device AD7730. There is a method for frequently maintenance of 3ph asynchronous motors, which are able to control at the same time only one inverter, connected to the PLC through USS protocol. Key words: automation, networks of the Siemens, tense sensors, astatically regulator of the dosing INTRODUCTION In modern systems for fodder production, new techniques for control of the process are increasingly initiated, which makes possible the new technological tasks. Defining the main problems, connected to the technological process of the production, proposing methods to overcome them, as well as the optimization of processes for control are really a complicated task for the people, who develop such kinds of systems. The ultimate aim that we chase in this article is to mould and found out a system, based on the modern achievements at control field, which gives the possibility to accomplish the final parameters of the quality production: exactness at dosing, homogeneity of mixing and higher productivity with lower energetic consumption.

Ivanka Georgieva, Vladimir Krumov Gebov, South -West University Neofit Rilski, Chair "Electronic and communication techniques and technologies Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria 2700 Blagoevgrad, askon@abv.bg 16

Fig. 1: Technological process of the produce of he fodder factory, controlling by PC, with software growth on base WinCC flexible (2004) Siemens.

Fig. 2: Organization control system. 1PC; 2 PLC Siemens, CPU224XP, 3 Profibus DP module, 4 p HCS12& transducer AD7730, 5 weigh scale, 6 inverter Sinamics 17

RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS Organization of the system for control

The system for control is shown on Fig. 2. At its construction is used PLC Siemens, S7200 and CPU 224XP.The master interface is accomplished by PC, based on WinCC flexible 2004, which affords great interactivity, ergodicity and flexibility at the maintenance of the system. WinCC flexible 2004 also affords creating screens, graphics, menus, buttons etc. in a way that is easier for the programmer. The history of the process, alarms and the consistence of the controlled variables are saved in database (ACCESS) or in files with enlargement *.csv (EXCEL). There is a possibility for creating own functions and scripts, except the available systems, which gives extra chance for enriching the applications, as well as for sharing the mathematical and systematical resources between PLC and PC. There are two special characteristics, which distinguish the construction of the system from the other existing: The main factor at dosing of components and micro components, which defines the quality of the dosing process, is the exactness of measurement the weight by the electronic machines. The conventional approach, advanced by Siemens, is to develop a tense metrical control with conventional module for PLC Siemens. This approach requires lengthening the cables of the tense sensors, their laying through the cable devices near the high volt cables, which supposes induction of the electromagnetic disturbances, connected to the frequency of the net, as well as those who are accidental. The high sensibility of the tense metrical bridges supposes measurement of very low values of the output voltages, as well as usage of other means for increasing the measurement quality, such as: stabilization of the mass of the analogical supplement of the transformer, connection to the mass of screening the tense system` cables, special topology of the scheme of the analogical transformer, as well as other different methods of software and hardware filtration. The increasing of the value of filtration leads to signal warping of the tense sensors, but mostly to slowing down the signal, which is the main reason for additional mistakes of the dosing system. To overcome all these peculiarities at the development of the tense metrical weighing system a different approach had been chosen, which includes constructing a net MPI (Multi point interface) of the microprocessor modules and PLC(digital interface for the controlling channel),which have in their structure tense metrical transformers of Analog device AD7730. The main advantage of the applied approach consists in following: stretching the distance between the tense sensors of the electronic weighing scale does not effect over the metrological characteristics of the measuring process. In case that the distance between the control panel, where usually is situated the PLC, and the electronic scales could sometimes reach a few kilometers, and this fact does not have any influence over the quality of the tense measurement and the process of dosing. There is a method for frequently maintenance of 3ph asynchronous motors (Fig. 3), which are able to control at the same time only one inverter, connected to the PLC through USS protocol [3]. In this case is applied again the digital interface of the controlling channel PLC inverter Sinamics, at which by two conducted line could be maintained till 32 inverters, as well as unlimited access to all parameters of the inverter, which increases the intelligence of the interactivity, increases also the abilities for maintenance and control of the whole system.

18

Fig. 3: Algorithm, controlling system flying inverter: one inverter 8 motors.

At Fig. 4 is shown maintenance of the system with one inverter to eight motors. The consequence of activating and deactivating of the devices on the scheme is special for this case: circuit closer inverter circuit closerinverter. Firstly, this guarantees protection of the inverter, and secondly it is a result of the requirements set from the 5value speed diagram of the dosing process [1].

Fig. 4: Electronic system for dynamic sneak dosing 1 Inverter; M1 M8 eight 3ph asynchronous motors; S1 S8 eight dosing sneak; 2 Weigh scale with tense sensors; Dosing system
Main problems, connected to the process micro components dosing: Organization of the tense metrical system, which includes choice of tense metrical sensors, transformers and interfaces. Organization of the dosing process of main and micro components, which aim is to achieve technological criteria for exactness. The quantity of the bulky product, which moves through the auger for unit per hour, should be defined by the following formula: dm (1) = SL , dt 19

where is the compactness of the product; S section of the auger; L pitch of the auger; frequency of rolling the auger. The law for changing the force F (t), which influences over the electronic scale, contains pseudo stationary component, equal to the product of the mass of the substance in the packet and of the acceleration of gravity (m (t)*g) and absolutely dynamic component, conditioned by the falling of the portion mass dm/dt over the scale from height h, which finishes /.1/ with speed Vfc.= 2gh for time =(2h/g). Because of the dependence of the measured force of the tense metrical system combined with counting the influence of the dm( t ) falling post will be reached the following: F( t ) = m( t )g + (2) 2gh dt As we replace the dependence (1) in (2), we get the following:
F( t ) = m( t )g + SL 2gh (3) The probably errors, appearing under the influence of different factors, could be separated in two columns: determinate and conventional. At [2] is offered a method for overcoming the negative effect of the determinate factors by using the transformation of Furrier and the exploitation of the curve of weight changing. This method presumes an extended research, complicated computing procedures and because of this fact, it could be difficult applied to wide range of tasks. We could suppose that the main errors are as a result of the deviations at the dosage that are based on accidental factors. We tried to create a method that could be applied to wider field of applications.

Influence of the factor time From the moment of the effect of the force applied to the tense sensors of the electronic scale till the moment of stopping the dosing auger a defined time goes up and could be calculated by the following formula: (4) =t +tint+ tcrawl +tinv+tinv_stop, where are: t time delay because of Sigma Delta () modulation of AD7730, defined by the computing digital filter; tint time for maintenance of the net interruption at the microprocess modules with PLC; tcrawl time delay of the crawling integration , organized in microprocess system hcs12; tinv time for maintenance of the USS protocol between the inverters Sinamics and PLC; tinv_stop time for stopping the inverter If an error appears, it will be calculated in the following way: (5) F( t ) = (t + t int + t crawl )SL + t inv _ StopSL 2 I could be make the following conclusions: Stopping the process of dosing could be accomplished by anticipate(F) of the weight, defined by the dependency (5); F depend on the comp activity of the product, which is very important for different kinds of products with different comp activity ; F depends on the frequency of rolling the auger( the frequency applied in the inverter) Conclusion: The synthesis of a nonstationary regulator for maintenance the stopping of the dosing process should be separated in different augers, respectively the products. 20

Constructing and supporting of recipes and database

Siemens supports the structure, the organization and the conservation of the recipes, thanks to the new product WinCC flexible [3]. There is a high flexibility of data transition of the reports for the different recipes: PLC, Storage medium, External data medium. Data archiving in WinCC flexible is shown at Fig. 5. Data logging is used to capture, process and log process data from industrial equipment. The collected process data can then analyzed to extract important business and technical information regarding the operational state of the equipment.

Fig. 5: Method of the archiving process data value on HMI device

ACSESS and Crosstab Queries are used for searching and rearranging of the database, accomplished by WinCC flexible. This method enables free searching and rearranging of the tables by the following criteria: date and time of beginning, recipe, group index, and kind of the product. The accomplishment of global and local sums is part of the functions that ACSESS owns. All macros and modules increase the interactivity and make it easier for the final consumer. The applying of this method enables development of the system and its connecting to the whole marketingmanager program for batch maintenance of the production, according to the requirements of ISO 9001. Results: This system for dosing affords an opportunity for remote tense metrical measurement, as well as for higher sensibility of the measurement; There is also a resource for frequently maintenance of a group of motors, that take part in the dosing process; This system has already been created and incorporated in the fodder factory that belongs to the pigbreeding farm in Brushlen, Ruse.

CONCLUSIONS The applying of methods for digital conveyance of information from the terminal devices and sensors to HMI device, nets that already exist from type USS, FreePort, Profibus, affords an opportunity for increasing the quality of the dosing process, when it concerns fodder production. The synthesis of a nonstationary regulator for maintenance of the dosing process should not depend on the separate augers, respectively products, and should be connected to the times of transmission and transformation of the information, created in the controlmeasurement system.
1. 2. 3.

REFERENCES Ovcharov, S., Gebov, V., High precision extrapolation method in dynamic dosing systems based on weight measuring principles, Conference ELECTRONICS2004 Ivanka Georgieva, Ilia Smilianov, Vladimir Gebov, Communication network ASi , Faculty of Mathematics& Natural Science FMNS 2005 www.siemens.com
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Agr. Engng 12 (2006) 14, 153 BIBLID: 03548457 (2006)12: 14, p. 2229 UDC: 620.95:631.57 (497.113)

FIRST INSPECTIONS OF MISTBLOWERS IN SERBIA

N. uki, A. Sedlar, R. Bugarin
1

Summary During 2006, first inspections of mistblower machines were conducted in Serbia. The inspection is not yet mandatory for mistblowers in Serbia, but it will be by the beginning of 2007. During 2005 and 2006, Faculty of Agriculture in Novi Sad has purchased modern equipment from AAMS (Belgium) for inspection of mistblowers, while also developing some original solutions. The equipment was used for inspections in compliance with EN 13790. The inspections were conducted on machine owners demands as a result of introduction of HACCP quality control system in processing industry. The inspection results showed that the machines, despite being relatively new, (6 years old) failed to meet set criteria. Most common cause of failure was clogged nozzle, caused by inadequate maintenance. In some cases, pump capacity did not match the nominal value, deviating more than 20 % from the nominal capacity. Suggested in this paper are recommendations for removal of specified inadequacies. Due to future mandatory inspection in Serbia, it would be interesting to share experiences with colleagues from the countries which have been practicing mandatory inspection for a longer period. Thus detected inadequacies could be removed in an optimal way, reducing space for manipulations by machine owners, who try to avoid the corrective procedure. Of special interest is future initiation of inspection of new mistblowers. Inspectors shall be facing dilemma whether new machines should meet standards more stringent than the machines already in use. Another question is how manufacturers, who opt for inspection of newly produced machines, can receive Certificate of Quality, which is valid in all EU countries. Key words: mistblowers, inspections, Certificate of Quality INTRODUCTION Regular inspection of working condition of devices for application of pesticides is a necessary measure in modern agricultural production, which uses pesticides on a large scale (Sedlar, 2006). In order to provide for production of ecosafe food, environment protection, and decrease of production costs, it is necessary to ensure controlled application of pesticides (uki, 2005). Such application is possible only with machines in perfect working condition (Langenakens 1999). In June 2006, at the Faculty of Agriculture in Novi Sad, within the Department of Agricultural Engineering, Central laboratory was established for inspection of machines for pesticide application. Basic purpose of this Laboratory is to allow inspection of working condition of both new and used sprayers, mistblowers and other machines for application of pesticides. In addition, the idea for this Laboratory is to coordinate and assist establishment and operation of local regional laboratories for inspection, helping them hire and train personnel, acquire and complete machine inspection equipment and homologize documentation. The Central laboratory has professional personnel and modern equipment ,
1 Prof. Dr. Nikola uki, MSc Aleksandar Sedlar, Dr. Rajko Bugarin, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Novi Sad , Serbia, nikdjuk@polj.ns.ac.yu. 22

which is necessary for inspection of sprayers and mistblowers in compliance with European norm EN 13790. Laboratory experts have initiated working condition inspection for machines for pesticide application which is already mandatory in over 20 European countries (Liegos i Leskoek, 2004). Eight years ago, according to the Law on plants protection, Federal Ministry of Agriculture of former FRY passed a Policy on services rendered in the area of plants protection, with an important novelty for users of plant protection machines, namely, the mandatory machine inspection every two years followed by inspection of working condition. Unfortunately, the stated parts of the Law and Policy so far have not been duly respected (Bugarin, 2000). During 2007, new Law on usage of pesticides should enter into force which is compliant with the European directive 91/414/ EEC and which introduces mandatory machine inspection. One of the first tasks for the newly established Central laboratory was the testing of 4 Munckhof type 105 tractorhauled mistblowers which are used for orchard protection. The mistblowers are used for protection of sour cherries, which are exported to France for further processing, i.e. for production of cherry liquor pralines. Cherries are processed according to HACCP (Hazard Analysis Control Critical Point) system. Since January 2006, in our processing and food industry HACCP is mandatory system of food safety and quality control. European market is closed for products, which are not manufactured according to HACCP system. One of prerequisites for later HACCPcompliant processing of agricultural products is inspection of machines for pesticides application (Sedlar, 2006). In modern European countries, factories, which buy agricultural products, demand of manufacturers to submit certificate of inspection for the machine, which was used for application of pesticides. All these facts motivated introduction of working condition inspection for mistblowers.

MATERIAL AND METHODS The inspected mistblowers were hauled, manufactured in 2000 and with tank capacity of 1000 lit. Inspected were the working state and number of revolutions of crank shaft, tank (visual inspection), tubing, filters and valves, pump throughput, nozzle, left and right side nozzle distribution pattern and, finally, manometer. All of these tests were conducted in compliance with EN 13790 standards. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Crankshaft inspection Inspected were the working condition and number of revolutions of the connecting crank (Fig. 1).

Fig. 1: Connecting shaft

23

Crankshafts were visually inspected in all four aggregates, and it was established that they have the required protective coating and that it is setup correctly. Number of revolutions was checked for the connecting shaft and it was established that it provides 540 o/min to the crankshaft.

Visual inspection of storage tank, tubing and filters Visual inspection of storage tanks in all four mistblowers showed that the main tank and the tank for technical water are in good condition. The deficiency of storage tanks is that their liquid level indicator does not have a floater. Instead, it is glued to the tank. Inspection of level indicator proved its correctness and its visibility from tractor cabin and from the spot where the tank is filled. Inspection of all filters on the misting machines showed that their mesh structure is adequate and that they are in good condition. During visual tubing inspection, 5 seconds after stopping and pressure shutdown, no leakage was detected in any of inspected mistblowers, thus the tubing is in good condition. Pump throughput inspection Pump throughput was inspected using pump throughput gauge shown in Fig.2. It was measured at working pressure of 11 bar.

Fig. 2: Pump throughput gauge

Throughput measured in the first mistblower was 52,72 l/min, which is 21,40 % below nominal throughput which is 64 l/min. Throughput measured in the second mistblower was similar to the first one, i.e. 52,88 l/min, which is 21,03 % less than nominal throughput. Throughput measured in the third mistblower was 43,10 l/min, which is 48,49 % less than nominal throughput, while throughput of the fourth misting machine was 41,50 l/min, which is 54,21 % less than nominal throughput. According to EN 13790 the allowed deviation is 10 %, which means that the inspected pump requires maintenance (change of membranes, valves, thorough cleaning...).

Inspection of nozzles Inspection of nozzle throughput Nozzle throughput was measured at working pressures of 11, 13 and 14 bar for the duration of 1 minute. The mistblowers were fitted with nozzles made of synthetics and ceramics, type Whirl AMTP223 and AMTP230 Albuz (green and blue inserts). Two special devices shown in Fig.3 measured capacity of the mistblowers.
24

Fig. 3: Measuring nozzle throughput

A stopwatch was used for measuring nozzle throughput. Mistblowers is fitted with seven nozzles on the left and right side. Measured values are shown in Table 1.

Table 1: Nozzles throughput

Mistblower No. A Nozzle Leftside nozzles No. Throughput deviation (%) Decrease 4,41 1 Decrease 6,94 2 3 Increase 0,60 4 Increase 0,60 Decrease 16,55 5 Decrease 7,10 6 Increase 20,21 7 Nozzle No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Nozzle No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Rightside nozzles Throughput (l/min) 1,666 2,733 2,600 2,600 3,066 3,666 3,200

Throughput (l/min)

2,533 2,466 2,666 2,666 4,266 3,400 4,400 Mistblower No. B

Throughput deviation (%) Decrease 37,13 Increase 3,13 Decrease 1,88 Decrease 1,88 Decrease 16,23 Increase 0,16 Decrease 12,56

Leftside nozzles Leftside nozzles Throughput deviation Throughput (l/min) Throughput (l/min) Throughput deviation (%) (%) Decrease 19,24 2,14 2,81 Increase 6,04 Decrease 32,07 Increase 3,39 2,74 1,80 Increase 11,69 2,96 2,81 Increase 6,04 Increase 3,39 2,74 2,77 Increase 4,53 Decrease 5,74 3,45 3,97 Increase 8,47 Increase 25,96 Increase 4,37 3,82 4,61 Increase 31,15 Increase 4,37 3,82 4,80 Mistblower No. C Leftside nozzles Leftside nozzles Throughput deviation Throughput Throughput Throughput deviation (%) deviation (%) deviation (%) (%) Increase 2,43 2,95 2,77 Decrease 3,82 Increase 9,37 3,15 3,12 Increase 8,33 Decrease 16,66 Increase 6,59 3,07 2,4 Decrease 9,03 Increase 4,16 3 2,62 Decrease 4,86 Increase 4,16 3 2,74 Decrease 11,46 Increase 2,77 2,96 2,55 Increase 5,55 3,04 3 Increase 4,16

25

Nozzle No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Mistblower No. D Leftside nozzles Leftside nozzles Throughput deviation Throughput Throughput Throughput deviation (%) deviation (%) deviation (%) (%) Decrease 15 Decrease 4 2,55 2,88 Decrease 22,66 Decrease 16,33 2,32 2,51 Increase 15 Decrease 2,66 3,45 2,92 Decrease 15 Decrease 4 2,55 2,88 Decrease 27,66 Decrease 4 2,17 2,88 Decrease 1,33 Increase 11,33 3,34 2,96 Decrease 22,66 2,32 3,19 Increase 6,33

Mistiblowers A and B were inspected in Irig. As recommended by Norm 13790, inspection was done at pressures that are most often used by machine owner, which in this case was 11 bar. Four front nozzles on the left and right side, as seen from the ground, are green coded and their throughput at 11 bar pressure is 2,65 l/min. Aft three nozzles are blue coded and their nominal throughput is 3,66 l/min Mistblowers C and D were inspected at a farming estate in Nova Crvenka. Since they usually operate at 13 and 14 bar, they were also inspected at these pressures. All nozzles on mistblower C are green coded and their working pressure was 13 bar. Nominal throughput at this pressure is 2,88 l/min. All nozzles on mistblower D are also green coded and their working pressure was 14 bar. Nominal throughput at this pressure is 3,00 l/min. The above listed values are taken from the throughput table for whirl nozzles Albuz. Nozzles were assigned numbers from the ground up. Analysis of Tab.1 shows that each of the misting machines A and B had 2 nozzles whose throughput increased above the allowed 15 %. New ones should immediately replace these nozzles. In misting machine D, one nozzle was detected with throughput increased by 15 %. As this is on the edge of tolerance, the nozzle should be replaced by a new one. However, much larger problem is a number of nozzles with throughput diminished in comparison with the table value. Diminished capacity is due to inadequate nozzle maintenance, which resulted in clogging. All these nozzles should be taken off and washed thoroughly in lukewarm water. The washing should be done using brush for nozzle cleaning, rather than using sharp objects, which are likely to cause damage to the nozzles. Beside the nozzles, filters which are placed in the nozzle holder, should also be washed in lukewarm water. Measurement of left and rightside nozzle distribution pattern For the measurement of right and leftside nozzle distribution, the data for nozzle throughputs were processed in MsExcel producing distribution histogram shown in Fig. 4. Nozzle throughput on the left side is prefixed by minus sign () for efficient presentation. According to EN 13790, mistblowers distribution is acceptable if the difference in throughputs of left and right side nozzles does not exceed 10 %. Statistical processing of data revealed that an average nozzle throughput for mistblowers A, equals 3,20 l/min on the left side, and 2,79 l/min on the right side. Comparing these two values shows that the difference in average nozzle throughputs for the left and right side is 15 %, which exceeds the allowed 10 %. Similar was found in mistblower C, where leftside nozzle throughput average was 3,00 l/min, and for the rightside nozzle 2,7 l/min. Comparing these two values shows that the difference in average nozzle throughput for the two sides is 11 %, which also exceeds the allowed 10 %.

26

7 6 5 4 3 2 1
-5 -4,5 -4 -3,5 -3 -2,5 -2 -1,5 -1 -0,5 0 0,5 1 1,5 2 2,5 3 3,5 4 4,5 5

7 6 5 4 3 2 1
-5 -4,5 -4 -3,5 -3 -2,5 -2 -1,5 -1 -0,5 0 0,5 1 1,5 2 2,5 3 3,5 4 4,5 5

kapacitet rasprskivaa sa leve i desne strane (l/min)

kapacitet rasprskivaa sa leve i desne strane (l/min)

a) mistblower A
7 6 5 4 3 2 1 -3,5 -3 -2,5 -2 -1,5 -1 -0,5 0 0,5 1 1,5 2 2,5 3 3,5
7 6 5 4 3 2 1

b) mistblower B

-4 -3,5 -3 -2,5 -2 -1,5 -1 -0,5 0 0,5

1,5

2,5

3,5

kapacitet rasprskivaa sa leve i desne strane (l/min)

kapacitet rasprskivaa sa leve i desne strane (l/min)

c) mistblower C

d) mistblower D

Fig. 4: Mistblowers distribution histogram

In mistblowers B and D the leftside nozzle throughput is 3,10 l/min, i.e. 2,67 l/min, while for the rightside nozzles the corresponding values are 3,37 and 2,88 l/min. When compared, these two values show an average difference in nozzle throughput of 8 %, for mistblower B, and 7 % by mistblowers C, which is below the allowed 10 %.

Manotest Manotest means inspection of working condition and correctness of manometer. Before the inspection, diameter radius was measured and it was established at 100 mm, which is more than the mandatory 63 mm as required by EN 13790. Manometer scale is graduated from 0 to 20 bar in 0,2 bar increments, while from 20 to 60 bar the increments are 10 bar, which is compliant with EN 13790. Control manometer, calibrated according to EN 8371, was used for measuring correctness of manometer (Fig.5).

Fig 5: Inspection of manometer correctness

27

Measurement for mistblowers A, B and D was done at 5 and 10 bar. While the control manometer indicated these pressures, the inspected manometers of misting machines A and D indicated pressures of 5 bar and 10 bar. The result shows that these manometers are correct. Manometer of mistblower B indicated pressures of 5,5 bar and 10,5 bar. The inspected manometer showed error of 0,5 bar and that deviation was constant with pressure change. The deviation is caused by the pointer failing to reset to 0 bar position. In mistblower C, measurement was performed at pressures of 5, 10 and 15 bar. While the control manometer indicated these pressures, the inspected manometer indicated pressures of 5,2 bar, 10,3 bar and 15,4 bar. The inspected manometer showed a 4 % error at 5 bar and the error decreases with pressure increase, so that at 15 bar pressure, the error equals 2,6 %. Detected manometer deviation is within allowed deviation according to EN 13790.

CONCLUSIONS Inspected mistblowers are in reasonably good condition. However, certain corrections are required in order to receive Certificate of Quality in compliance with EN 13790. First, it is necessary to determine the reason for diminished pump throughput in all mistblowers. For mistblowers A and B the decrease equals 21.4 % and 21.0 %, while for machines C and D the decrease is doubled and equals 48.5 %, i.e. 54.2 %. For that reason it is necessary to inspect pump pistons and valves. All sealers on the pump should be checked and replaced if worn out. Upon inspection and performed corrections, pump throughput shall be inspected again. All nozzles with throughput increased over the limit, need replacement. Such nozzles are few only 5. Alarming is the fact about numerous nozzles with diminished throughput. This is due to inadequate maintenance of mistblowers. In order to solve this problem, liquid supply tubing needs to be inspected, working of filter in nozzle holder needs checking and nozzles should be washed thoroughly in lukewarm water. Once the corrections are done, nozzle throughput is to be inspected again. For future inspections, it is important to stress out that in order to obtain precise and valid results of nozzle distribution inspection, all working parts in the system must be thoroughly clean and prepared. Due to future mandatory inspection in Serbia, it would be interesting to share experiences with colleagues from the countries, which have been practicing mandatory inspection for a longer period. Thus detected inadequacies could be removed in an optimal way, reducing space for manipulations by machine owners, who try to avoid the corrective procedure. Of special interest is inspection of new misting machines. Inspectors shall be facing dilemma whether new machines should meet standards more stringent than the machines already in use. Another question is how can manufacturers who opt for inspection of newly produced machines, receive Certificate of Quality, which is valid in all European countries.
1. 2. 3. 4.

REFERENCES Bugarin, R., uki, N., Ponjian, O., Sedlar, A.: Atestiranje maina u sklopu primene zakona i pravilnika o zatiti bilja. Savremena poljoprivredna tehnika br. 34, strana 53 61, 2000 uki, N, Sedlar, A, Bugarin, R: Znaaj redovne kontrole prskalica, Revija Agronomska saznanja, godite XV, br. 4, str. 1820, 2005. Langenakens, J, Pieters M. 1999. Organization and Results of The Compulsory th International Congress on Agricultural Inspection of Spryers in Belgium, 7 Mechanization and Energy 26 27 May, Adana Turkey, p. 5053. Leskoek, G, et all 2004. An overview of the situation in the field of devices used for the application of plant protection products un Slovenia; First European Workshop on:
28

5.

6. 7.

Standardized Procedure for the Inspection of Sprayers in Europe, 27 29 April, Braunschweig Germany. Liegeois, E. 2004. Thematic strategy on the Sustainable Use of pesticides: a plan of action to improve good plant protection practices throughout Europe; First European Workshop on: Standardized Procedure for the Inspection of Sprayers in Europe, Braunschweig Germany. Sedlar, A, uki, N, Bugarin, R.: Redovna kontrola prskalica kao uslov kontrolisane aplikacije, Biljni lekara, XXXIV, Br. 2, str. 147152, 2006. Sedlar A. 2006. Analiza metoda za testiranje prskalica, Magistarski rad, Univerzitet u Novom Sadu, Poljoprivredni fakultet, Novi Sad.

29

Agr. Engng 12 (2006) 14, 153 BIBLID: 03548457 (2006)12: 14, p. 3038 UDC: 631.348:006.015.5(497.11)

ESTABLISHING SPRAYER INSPECTION IN SERBIA

A. Sedlar, N. uki, R. Bugarin
1

SUMMARY In Serbia, since 1999, there is an article within the ,,Policy on services rendered in plant protection which regulates mandatory inspection of sprayers and mistblowers in use. Due to transitional problems, which have been troubling Serbia during the last seven years, the inspection has not yet seen proper implementation in practice. By the beginning of the 2007 year, a new plant protection law is to come into power, to regulate the field of pesticide application. This law is compliant with the EU directive 91/414/EEC, and shall also include the article on mandatory inspection of sprayers and mistblowers. In order for the inspection to be applied in practice after the law has been enacted, experts of the Faculty of Agriculture have been campaigning for the last three years to educate agricultural producers and establish technical and organizational prerequisites for the beginning of the inspection. In lieu with the above mentioned, a Procedure for sprayer inspection has been proposed, which is compliant with EN 13790. Also proposed is the regional management which should conduct the inspection. In the course of making this proposal, all positive experiences from the countries, which already have established such inspection, were taken into account. What is still missing for efficient work on analysis of the number of sprayers and their state of readiness in Serbia, is the work on a joint project with the colleagues from the European countries which already have established regular inspection practice. Such joint effort not only would advance the completely agricultural production in Serbia, but would also help lower users fear of inspection and thus facilitate the introduction of mandatory inspection into practice Key words: sprayer, mandatory inspection, procedure for sprayer inspection INTRODUCTION Amongst various methods of plant protection, surely the most widespread one is the chemical protection. Chemical protection is performed using equipment for pesticide application, whereby the equipment must meet several conditions: it should apply sufficient quantity of protective agent on the plant, which should remain in place for the required period protective agent should penetrate to reach all plant parts protective agent should be applied so as to cover the largest possible area protective agent should be spread evenly These conditions imply that the equipment for pesticide application is extremely important, since it accounts for more than 50% of inadequate applications of protective agent, lowering agent efficiency and causing pollution. All this leads to conclusion that the only way towards controlled application of pesticides is regular inspection of sprayers, which of all machines and devices are the most frequently used for pesticide application.
1 MSc Aleksandar Sedlar, Prof. Dr. Nikola uki, Ass. Prof. Dr. Rajko Bugarin, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Novi Sad, Serbia, alek@polj.ns.ac.yu.

30

Quality performance means capability of maintaining spraying standards while evenly distributing pesticide over the treated area. Knowing the small ratios in which modern pesticides mix with water (several ml per liter), the reliability and quality performance of sprayers becomes even more important. In order to achieve maximum precision of application and thus allow full protection, the sprayers not only must have modern construction and impeccable performance, but also must have adequate exploitation potential. Exploitation potential of tractor sprayers is defined as their ability to continuously and reliably perform through all operational stages during pesticide application. It comprises both quantitative and qualitative parameters. The quantitative parameters are: pump throughput, nozzle throughput, throughput of devices for hydraulic mixing, adjustment of the three throughputs, the range of operating speeds, tank volume, etc. The qualitative parameters are: precision of feed and throughput, consistent distribution of protective agent, consistency of spray droplets Applying optimal pesticide quantities while using proven machinery, strengthens the consumers confidence in fruits, vegetables and crop farming products, while guaranteeing that quantities of pesticides remain below the allowed maximum (MAQ) as required for the specific pesticide or treated plant. This procedure is favorable to soil and water, which gradually become less polluted. This proves that mandatory inspection of sprayers, as emphasized by Langenakens (1995), contributes to healthier environment.

DISCUSSIONS In order to successfully implement the regular inspection of sprayers in domestic conditions, it is necessary that all factors relevant to this task, perform their share of duties: Machine users should inspect, prepare and ready machines for protection, enhance the maintenance and get informed about the testing procedure; Certified laboratories, together with the manufacturers they contract for technical and business cooperation, should recruit and train personnel, purchase and complete the testing equipment, homologize documentation; The central laboratory prepares instructions for inspection of technical correctness of spraying machines and devices and delivers it to manufacturers, it also organizes and conducts machinetesting training courses for manufacturers, training for operators of equipment for chemical protection on farms, or training for a group of individual farmers (agricultural cooperatives); The Ministry of Agriculture legally mandates the inspection and coordinates forming of regional inspection stations, the Ministry also constantly improves regulations for machine inspection and plants protection; The public media (the press, radio, TV) are also involved, informing readers and viewers, especially the machine users, of the necessity and benefits of regular inspection of machines for plant protection, providing useful information on the organization of inspection, etc. For the last three years, the experts of the Department for agricultural engineering of the Faculty of Agriculture in Novi Sad, have been conducting a widespread campaign aimed at educating agricultural producers and creating technical and organizational requisites for the beginning of the inspection. Considering the above mentioned, a proposal has been made entitled the Procedure for sprayer inspection, which is compliant with EN 13790, as well as the proposal for the regional management which is to conduct the inspection. In the course of making this proposal, all positive experiences from the countries, which already have established such inspection, were taken into account.
31

Proposal of Procedure for sprayer inspection

The Proposal was made using ISO standards (subject area: Equipment for plant protection), Policy on rendering services in plant protection (Slubeni glasnik SRJ, 1999.) and regulation EN 13790 which was fundamental. In addition, analysis has been conducted regarding procedures, which are used in other EU countries. All positive experiences have been taken into account with the intention of producing a proposal for a simple and efficient procedure. The proposal was done in an electronic form, in order to simplify the inspection process in the field as well as to allow the required data to be derived at any moment by simply selecting a parameter from Segment I (Review of a typical setup). This means that, for instance, by simply entering the name of machine owner, it is easy to derive the data on the inspection performed and the inspection results. The proposal of Procedure for sprayer inspection requires inspection of all sprayer components and comprises four segments:

I Review of a typical setup Review of a typical setup is the first segment, which comprises six articles. The first article is 1.1 General, and it contains data on the sprayer owner, manufacturer and type of sprayer and vintage. The next five articles specify the sprayer in more detail. II General Specification General specifications the second segment of the procedure, which comprises the following specifications: Tank specification Pump specification Specification of spraying wings (booms) Specification of tubing Specification of filters Equipment Specification of the system for volume regulation Specification of special devices Volume of protective agent residues Specification of nozzles III Inspection methods for hydraulic sprayers Inspection methods for hydraulic sprayers as the third segment of the Procedure, it defines methods for testing particular sprayer components, as well as the standards they should meet. The sprayer components undergoing tests are pump, manometer and nozzles. All other components such as the tank, hoses, filters, valves, etc. undergo visual inspection. The capacity of pump is tested by throughput gauge, shown in Fig. 1. Pump is considered to be in order if the deviation from the nominal capacity does not exceed 10 %. The tested analogous manometer must satisfy standards defined by EN 13790, i.e. must have a minimum diameter of 63 mm and a clearly visible scale. The scale must be subdivided into 0.2 bar segments for manometers measuring up to 5 bar, or 1 and 2 bar segments, for manometers measuring up to, and more than 20 bar. Manometer is considered correct if the deviation of the measured pressure, when working with pressures over 2 bar, falls within the limits of 10 % as compared to the referential manometer. Thus when working with pressures of up to 2 bar, the allowed deviation is 0.2 bar.

32

Fig. 1: Pump throughput gauge (AAMSBelgium)

Manometers are tested using manotester shown in Fig. 2.

Fig. 2: Manotester (AAMSBelgium)

Inspection of nozzle requires testing their capacity and transversal distribution of pesticides. To test capacity of nozzle an electronic throughput gauge is used, as shown in Fig.3.

Fig. 3: Electronic nozzle throughput gauge (AAMSBelgium)

Inspection of transversal distribution is performed with a mechanical spray scanner shown in Fig. 4.

Fig. 4: Mechanical spray scanner

33

Inspection results are presented in tabular form and by a diagram. The allowed CV (Coefficient of Variation) is 10 %, which is compliant with EN 13790.

IV Inspection report Inspection report is the segment, which contains data on time of inspection, names of inspectors and the laboratory conducting the inspection, as well as the number of Inspection log and number of the issued Certificate of Quality. The data, which are given in the Review of a typical setup and General specification, are logged in the "SPRAYER INSPECTION LOG". The log also contains the results of inspection. After the inspection of sprayer is finished, three copies of inspection log are printed out. In addition, every sprayer that passes inspection is awarded the "CERTIFICATE OF QUALITY" which is issued by the "Central laboratory". The party that ordered the inspection (owner or user of sprayer) receives one copy of the log, while the institution, which conducted inspection and the central laboratory, keeps the other two copies. The inspected sprayer is also marked with the "Label" which states the date of inspection. Should the results of inspection be unsatisfactory, the Inspector informs the ordered of inspection results by issuing him the Inspection log. In this case, the log also features a chapter entitled "Note" in which the Inspector suggests the detected faults in the sprayer to the inspection ordered, also suggesting ways to correct the errors in order to become eligible for the "Certificate of quality". Organization of sprayer inspection in Serbia forming the regional management
Analysis of sprayer inspection in other EU countries reveals the differences among these countries, regarding both the organization of inspection, and the sprayer components being subjected to inspection. Generally speaking, the inspection in all EU countries is conducted in two principal ways: using mobile teams which conduct inspections touring the country with the equipment through a network of laboratories dispersed throughout country (Germany, Holland, Slovakia) The first way of inspection organization is adopted in Norway and Belgium. In December 2000, Norwegian authorities decided to make inspection mandatory as of January 1, 2006. Department of Agricultural Engineering of the Faculty of Agriculture in Norway, also produced a mobile inspection unit, i.e. one trailer Fig. 5a, which is following inspectors in the field and which contains the equipment for inspection (Bjugstad, N, Hermansen, P, 2004). Similar situation is in Belgium, their inspectors using a van Fig. 5b which carries the inspection equipment.

a) Inspection trailerNorway Fig. 5: Mobile inspection units

b) Van Belgium

34

The other way of organizing inspection is prevailing in the majority of EU countries and it features a Central laboratory, which organizes and coordinates operation of a larger number of regional laboratories. This type of organization is also suggested for Serbia. However, in order for sprayer inspection to be widely accepted, legal prerequisites are necessary, meaning that the Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry of Science and Environmental Protection should declare sprayer inspection mandatory. The abovementioned Ministries should provide legislation, which would create a legal framework for sprayer inspection. The required legislation is: 1. Declaration of procedure for certification of new equipment for plant protection 2. Declaration of procedure for inspection of plant protection equipment in use The Procedure for sprayer inspection should find its place in the abovementioned declarations. The other solution is to pass legislation on the use of pesticides, which is compliant with European directive 91/414/EEC, followed by EN 13790. Thus, the Procedure for sprayer inspection should be legally introduced.

Fig. 6: Organization of sprayer inspection

35

ION

EC

rms

Machine nspection

The Ministry of Agriculture has opted for the latter way, which means that in 2007, the new plant protection law shall enter into force, which shall regulate use of pesticides and render sprayer inspection mandatory. All this must be supported by the appropriate media campaign. Experts from the Faculty, regional inspection stations and members of the Ministry, shall in the future appear in the electronic media (radio, TV), publish papers in the printed media, and take part in countrywide public discussions in order to introduce agricultural producers, domestic manufacturers of plant protection equipment and importers of equipment with the goals and importance of sprayer inspection. Figure 6 shows organization chart of the future sprayer inspection with the afore mentioned accompanying measures which should allow its practical implementation. The Ministry of Science and Environment Protection plays special role in sprayer inspection implementation. For the last three years, this Ministry has been cooperating with the Faculty of Agriculture on joint projects, which created these technical and organizational measures vital to the beginning of inspection. One of the measures is to equip and put into operation a Laboratory for inspection of equipment for application of pesticides, at the Faculty of Agriculture in Novi Sad, which is eventually to become the Central laboratory with the role to organize operation of future regional laboratories and to train their personnel for implementation of inspection. The Regional inspection laboratories should conduct machine inspection within their regions and submit one of the three copies of inspection log to the "Central laboratory". The inspection log is to be analyzed in the "Central Laboratory" and a "Certificate of Quality" should be issued to machine owner accordingly. The owners of the machines which failed the inspection shall be ordered by professional personnel of the regional inspection stations to repeat inspection, while the logs of failing inspections would not be submitted to the Central laboratory, but would be archived locally instead. Sprayer inspection logs should be kept in the archives of the "Central laboratory" and Regional inspection stations for at least three inspection cycles. Inspections should take place every two years, meaning that the inspection logs should be kept in the archives for at least six years. Experts of the "Central laboratory" should be obliged to visit regional inspection stations in order to check on the state of their equipment and competence level of their personnel. In addition, experts of the "Central laboratory" are obliged to notify regional inspection stations about any eventual changes in sprayer inspection methodology. All measuring equipment used by inspection stations should be calibrated on an annual basis. Regional inspection stations are obliged to report on the planned number of inspections for the particular year, followed by the final report on the number of realized inspections. Supported by regional laboratories and the Ministry of Agriculture, "Central laboratory" inspectors should be required once a year to conduct a series of training seminars intended for local machine owners in the regions where inspections are taking place. Also, in conjunction with the regional laboratories, the experts of the Central laboratory should conduct some joined inspections in the field following a predetermined schedule for each year of inspection. Inspections of new machines, as well as their operational components (pumps, nozzles) should be conducted in the "Central laboratory".

Analysis of the state and number of sprayers in Serbia

Before the mandatory inspection of sprayers begins in Serbia, by the 2007. year, future inspectors shall confront a huge task. It is the task to analyze the state and number of sprayers in Serbia. Therefore, task number one is to establish correct number and state of sprayers currently in use. According to the Statistical yearly report from 2005, agricultural companies in Serbia own a total of 9515 sprayers. Of that number, 1430 sprayers are located in Serbia 36

proper, while 8085 are in Vojvodina. This leads to conclusion that 84% of sprayers owned by agricultural companies are located in Vojvodina, with Serbia proper holding the remaining 16 %. Considering the fact that agricultural companies hold 600 000 ha of land, one concludes that there is 1 sprayer per 63.05 ha. There are no official data on the number of sprayers in private agricultural holdings. However, in the period of 19901992, experts of the Faculty of Agriculture in Novi Sad gathered sample data from five locations (Baki Petrovac, Nadalj, Ratkovo, Sonta and Mokrin) and concluded that 1 sprayer is used per 22.67 ha of land. Substantial difference in the number of ha per sprayer on individual holdings and agricultural companies is expected, because agricultural companies own large sprayers (large volume and small working width), while individual farmers usually own small sprayers which are most often carried and with a 12m working width. Experts in this area estimate that Serbia is currently using approximately 18 800 sprayers with the average age of about 12 years. Of course, the data here quoted can only serve as preliminary indicators before a detailed analysis such as that done in the Srem district.

Table 1: The number of sprayers in agricultural companies and private agricultural holdings in municipalities of the Srem district
Municipality Inija Irig Peinci Ruma Sr. Mitrovica St. Pazova id Total No. of sprayers in agricultural comp. 29 6 35 45 45 32 42 234 No. of sprayers on agricultural holdings 183 202 300 340 606 193 566 2389 Total no. per municipality 212 208 335 385 651 225 609 2623

Table 1 reviews sprayers from all municipalities of the Srem district. The data should provide basis for establishing dynamics of sprayer inspection in Srem. In other words, based on the number of sprayers per municipality, the experts from the regional Srem laboratory should be able to calculate the exact number of days required for inspection, as well as the beginning and ending dates for inspection of sprayers in the Srem district. The experts from the Srem regional laboratory submit that plan to the "Central laboratory" before commencing the inspection. The analysis of state and number of sprayers in Srem district revealed that the average age of sprayers is 11 years.

CONCLUSIONS Sprayer inspection should become mandatory in Serbia by 2007, as is already the case in most of the European countries. Experts of the Faculty of Agriculture in Novi Sad have endeavored to create technical and organizational prerequisites for the beginning of regular inspection. Through a number of projects sponsored by the Ministry of Science and Environmental Protection of the Republic of Serbia, as well as through cooperation with the Provincial Secretariat for Agriculture, Water Resources and Forestry (Provincial Vojvodina), a Laboratory for inspection of pesticideapplication equipment has been established at the faculty of Agriculture in Novi Sad. The Laboratory is equipped with modern equipment by the Advanced Agricultural Measurement System of Belgium. Beside the Laboratory, a regional management is proposed which should conduct inspection. There is also proposal of Sprayer inspection procedure, which is compliant with EN 13790. Successful beginning of the mandatory sprayer inspection requires new plant protection legislation to regulate application of pesticides and application technique. In the course of 37

2007, the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Serbia shall pass new legislation on plant protection, which shall regulate sprayer inspection in compliance with the European directive 91/414/EEC. What is still missing for efficient work on analysis of the number of sprayers and their state of readiness in Serbia, is the work on a joint project with the colleagues from the European countries, which already have established regular inspection practice. Such joint effort not only would advance the completely agricultural production in Serbia, but would also help lower users fear of inspection and thus facilitate the introduction of mandatory inspection into practice. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

6. 7.

REFERENCES Bjugstag, N., Hermansen, P.: Testing of crop sprayers in Norway; First European Workshop on: Standardized Procedure for the Inspection of Sprayers in Europe, 27 29 April 2004, Braunschweig Germany. Duvnjak, Vinko: Prilog prouavanju nekih tehnikih parametara prskalica; Magistarski rad, 1989, Osijek. uki, N., Sedlar, A.: Dobra prskalica, efikasna zatita; Revija agronomska saznanja, 2001, 6, s. 48 50. uki, N, Sedlar, A, Bugarin, R: Znaaj redovne kontrole prskalica, Revija Agronomska saznanja, godite XV, br. 4, str. 1820, 2005. Langenakens, J. , Pieters, M.: Organization and Results of The Compulsory Inspection of Spryers in Belgium, 7th International Congress on Agricultural Mechanization and Energy 26 27 May, 1999., Adana Turkey, p. 5053. Sedlar, A.: An Analysis of methods for testing sprayers, Master theses, Novi Sad, 2006. Sedlar, A, uki, N, Bugarin, R.: Redovna kontrola prskalica kao uslov kontrolisane aplikacije, Biljni lekara, XXXIV, Br. 2, str. 147152, 2006.

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Agr. Engng 12 (2006) 14, 153 BIBLID: 03548457 (2006)12: 14, p. 3944

UDC: 621.798.15: 519.652

HIGH PRECISION EXTRAPOLATION METHOD IN DYNAMIC DOSING SYSTEMS BASED ON WEIGHT MEASURING PRINCIPLES
S. Y. Ovcharov, V. K. Gebov1

SUMMARY A method and a technical solution are suggested in order to increase precision of wormandwheel dosing systems (bagging machines) operating on weight measuring principles. The results from the weight measuring are processed by using Fourier transformation and extrapolation of the weight transformation curve. The method is applied in an algorithm for controlling a flourbagging machine. Key words: dosing systems, dynamic weigh, extrapolation, Fourier transformation INTRODUCTION Dosing of bulk materials for production purposes is a very common process. Most dosing appliances and machines are based on indirect methods for mass measuring by accepting specific weight and bulk materials flow as measured quantities. But these parameters influence the weight precision rather somewhat negatively. In order to improve enterprise competitiveness in a market economy the quality of products should be constantly increasing, and by extension productivity. In accordance to ISO 9001 for products quality certification, one of the requirements is that precision in packaging should be constantly improved and controlled. The paper aims to improve precision in dynamic dosing of packaged (in bags) flour as well as to increase productivity requirements. Some basic factors which influence batching are deposing on walls, the sinusoidal features of bulk flow during wormandwheel dosing, unequal humidity and different aerated indices of bulk materials, etc. A controlling algorithm compensates factors that alter slowly in the course of time (humidity). Other factors lead to serious errors in weight measuring (deposits of measured quantities), thus they should be identified and made evident by alarm indicators. Decisive factors, which increase precision of dynamic measuring, are determined deviations, which result from the sinusoidal law in wormandwheel feeding. Another is random distribution of flour specific gravity during dosing. Both characteristics must be taken into consideration. The chart for batching and dosing bulk materials as shown in Fig. 1 includes a worm andwheel mechanism driven by an electric motor, weighmeasuring transformer, and a regulating unit for feeding and dosing. The regulator is a position regulator. Theoretically, it is well known that best results for precision and quick action are achieved when a 5sector speed diagram is used [1]. Conducted experiments show that different parts of the speed diagram can be optimized in order to increase precision [2].

Stefan Yordanov Ovcharov, Vladimir Krumov Gebov, Technical University of Sofia, sovcharo@tu-sofia.bg 39

Fig. 1: Electronic system for dynamic dosing in wormandwheel mechanisms 1 Main control unit; 3 Frequency control of the asynchrony electro motor; 3 3phase electro motor; 4 dosing wormandwheel mechanism; 5 Bag; 6 Tensometric system; 7 Weigh transformer To achieve greater productivity one should apply higher speed by selecting a system with an inverter speed control with the main electro motor. The result is a relative error in the range 1.0%1.5%, which proves unacceptable for modern requirements of a relative error in dosing of 0.2%. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Designing the process of dynamic dosing
The material, which progresses through the wormandwheel system, is estimated in accordance to dm (1) = SL , dt where is the products density; S slice plane of wormandwheel system; L treads move; rotation frequency of worm gear. The law which determines the change of the force F (t) on an electronic weight determining includes a quasistatic part equal to the product from the mass of the packaged (bagged) material and gravitation (m(t)*g), as well as a purely dynamic constituent part dependent on the free fall of the partial mass dm/dt onto the weigh from an altitude h, and all concludes with a velocity Vfc.= 2gh for time =(2h/g). The result
dm( t ) (2) 2gh dt shows that the measured force in a tens metric system is dependent on the influence of a falling mass from a given height. In other words to determine the closing moment of the dosing one should consider the weight fc of the quantity falling down M= g*dm/dt * = dm/dt*(2g*h) (3) Concluding from (2) and (3) we can state that the weight of the falling material is equal to the dynamic constituent of the force exercised by the same product. Hence, there is no need to prognosticate, respectively to figure out the moment when dosing finishes. This is true under the condition dm(t)/dt=const, i.e. when abovementioned factors arent influencing the dosing process. F( t ) = m( t )g +

40

2.5 2.0 1.5 Flin(t) Fsum Msum

2.01 2.15 1.7 0.95

Mass, kg

1.0 0.5 0.0 -0.5 0.0 0.5 0. 1.0 1.5

0.2

2.0

2.5

3.0

Time, s
Fig. 2: Dynamic change of force on the tens metric system. Flin(t) mathematical expectation of dynamic force; Fsum tension by reading the influence of sinusoidal deviations in wormandwheel dosing; Msum bulk materials weight by free falling; 2 dm/dt=1.0 kg/s, h=1.0 m, g=9.8m/s , fm=5.2 Hz, A=0.3 kg, 0= 0, =(2h/g)=0.452 s
Dosing deviations emerging from different factors can be classified into determined and random (in time) ones. The determining constituent is mainly influenced by inaccuracies in different components of the dosing unit. The same determining constituent could be permanent or periodic where the permanent constituent can be removed by using asterism in the controlling followup (procedure). When dosing bulk materials the periodic constituent changes in accordance to the sinusoidal law:

m( t ) = m stat ( t ) + m din sin(t + 0 ) (4) From (2) and (4) we can determine the force exercised by the falling bulk flow onto the tens metric system:
~ F ( t ) = F(t ) + F(t ) = mstat ( t )g + mdin sin(t + 0 + ) + 144444 244444 3 4 4 product _ in _ bag

dmstat ( t ) 2gh + mdin cos(t + 0 + ) dt 14444444 4444444 2 3

falling _ column

(5)

The weight of the falling material is determined by dm( t ) ~ + mdin sin(t + 0 )dt M fc = M(t ) + M(t ) = 2gh dt 0

(6)

From (5) and (6) the difference between the falling material and the dynamic constituent of the force on the tens metric system can be estimated as:
41

cos( + 0 ) cos(0 ) ~ ~ ~ F( t ) = F( t ) M( t ) = mdin cos( t + 0 + ) + mdin cos( + 0 ) cos(0 ) ~ F( t ) = mdin cos( t + 0 + ) + (7) ~ If we choose =2/, then M( t ) =0. The initial phase 0 is a random one, but an indicator mounted on the wormandwheel mechanism could measure it. The constant value is dependent on the free fall of the bulk material from the height h, thus we can ~ ~ establish mdin by a Fourier transformation. M( t ) isnt dependent on t, and if =2/ , M( t ) =0. ~ F( t ) = mdin cos(t + 0 ) . By increasing the rotation frequency of the wormandwheel ~ mechanism, the sinusoidal constituent of the weight of the falling material M( t ) is decreased. On the other hand, the increased rotation frequency leads to an increased methodical error (9). Additionally one should note that constructional deficiencies of the wormandwheel mechanism add to the lowfrequency fluctuations of the dosing material, something very undesirable. Establishing the sinusoidal fluctuations (deviations) in the bulk material flow enables an extra polar stochastic and mathematical expectancy for a linear changing law by:
fi f0 n
n n/2

n/2 , (8) t/2 where f0 initial value of the force; fi momentarily values of the force, n even number of measurements, and t time, stand. Fig 2 shows the graphic interdependence (5) and (6) for concrete values of the parameters. Conclusions: Exercised force during product packaging differs from its real packaged weight; A prognostic value should be set that halts the products dosing from the worm andwheel mechanism; To quickly establish the harmonic amplitude one should apply a Fourier transformation; Random error can be evaluated by stochastic methods if the determining constituent is rejected first; Fig. 3 suggests an algorithm for applying the extrapolation method during dynamic dosing. k=

M(f ) = f0 + k * t

i =1

i =1

fi f0

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Fig. 3: Algorithm showing the discrimination of error in dynamic dosing by applying the extrapolation method Tens metric system In References [6] a gamma of transformers ANALOG DEVICES are shown for different application cases. We have chosen AD7730, which proved a universal one for dosing and weighing bulk materials. The transformation frequency ft is determined by the probable dm(t ) 1 1 (9) methodical error = dt ft M Choosing a microcontroller Control of dynamic dosing is highly dependent on the systems behavior. This requires a quick maintaining of stops (1) as well mathematical, stochastic and extra polation processing of results. Control of inverter requires maximum speed and high resolution. Some systems for quick communications have the possibility to control the inverter by using a serial channel. The use of a graphic display requires large resources of memory and productivity. The chosen processor is MC68HCS12DG256 and BDM debugger USBMULTILINK. Some main features of MC68HCS12 are [4]: 20bit ALU; min and max search; interpolation of graphics; fuzzy logics; high performance frequency (20 MHz), Flash, etc. Abovementioned method is first applied with the bagging machines of the Flour Mills in the towns of Razgrad and Blagoevgrad and in the village of Archar. RESULTS The method as described above increases productivity as well the precision in dynamic dosing. Machines productivity is increasing by 30 %; By applying the linear high precision extra polation method for evaluation of mathematical expectation of dynamic forces the standard error is decreasing by 50%;

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By applying Fouriers transformation for evaluating the influence of sinusoidal deviations in dosing the error value is decreasing by 25%, thus making it very acceptable in terms of modern requirements to producers; Storage of process history by using a graphic display helps stochastic and extra polation evaluation of events with regard to measuring of dynamic forces.

CONCLUSIONS The discussed method offers a very effective procedure for discriminating errors in dynamic dosing of bulk materials. It allows engineers to create modern dosing (bagging) machines and increase overall productivity. The proposed algorithm is based on stochastic and extra polation processing of measurements thus increasing their precision as well applying a factorial analysis on the influence of different construction and technological changes.

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

REFERENCES Jordanov S. , Automation of the producing mechanisms, TU Sofia 2001. Stokov J., Mladenov S., Automatic dosing of the bulk materials, Food industry, 1988, N: 4, page 1216. VAN DER GOES, Low cost Smart Sensor Interfacing, Technische Universitite Delft 1996. Sibigtroth J., Transporting M68HC11 Code to M68HC12 Devices, www.feescale.com Williams R., fft.c11 Fast Fourier transform for the MC68HC11, www.feescale.com http://www.analog.com/

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Agr. Engng 12 (2006) 14, 153 Evapotranspiration and crop water requirements

L. S. Pereira, Isabel Alves

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Agr. Engng 16 (2006) 14, 153

Luis S. Pereira, Isabel Alves UDC: 631.432.21:633/635 Evapotranspiration and crop water requirements Agr. Engng 12 (2006) 14, 0115; 4 fig, 3 tab, 11 ref. Crop water requirements (CWR) are defined as the depth of water [mm] needed to meet the water consumed through evapotranspiration (ETc) by a diseasefree crop, growing in large fields under nonrestricting soil conditions including soil water and fertility, and achieving full production potential under the given growing environment. This article summarizes the essential definitions and methodologies for estimating crop water and irrigation requirements. Ivanka Georgieva, V. K. Gebov UDC: 006:631.3: 621.313.333 : 636.086.3 Systems and methods applied in controling the technological process at the fodder production Agr. Engng 12 (2006) 14, 1621; 5 fig, 3 ref. In modern systems for fodder production new techniques for control of the process are increasingly initiated, which makes possible the realization of new technological tasks. At the development of the tense metrical weighing system a different approach had been chosen, which includes constructing a net MPI (Multi point interface) of the PLCSiemens and microprocessor modules (based on hcs12), which have in their structure tense metrical transducers of Analog device AD7730. There is a method for frequently maintenance of 3ph asynchronous motors, which are able to control at the same time only one inverter, connected to the PLC through USS protocol. N. uki, A. Sedlar, R. Bugarin UDC: 620.95:631.57 (497.113) First inspections of mistblowers in Serbia Agr. Engng 12 (2006) 14, 2229; 5 fig, 1 tab, 7 ref. During 2006, first inspections of mistblower machines were conducted in Serbia. The inspection is not yet mandatory for mistblowers in Serbia, but it will be by the beginning of 2007. During 2005 and 2006, Faculty of Agriculture in Novi Sad has purchased modern equipment from AAMS (Belgium) for inspection of mistblowers, while also developing some original solutions. The equipment was used for inspections in compliance with EN 13790. The inspections were conducted on machine owners demands as a result of introduction of HACCP quality control system in processing industry. The inspection results showed that the machines, despite being relatively new, (6 years old) failed to meet set criteria. Most common cause of failure was clogged nozzle, caused by inadequate maintenance. In some cases, pump capacity did not match the nominal value, deviating more than 20 % from the nominal capacity. Suggested in this paper are recommendations for removal of specified inadequacies.

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A. Sedlar, N. uki, R. Bugarin UDC: 631.348:006.015.5(497.11) Establishing sprayer inspection in Serbia Agr. Engng 12 (2006) 14, 3038; 6 fig, 1 tab, 7 ref. In Serbia, since 1999, there is an article within the ,,Policy on services rendered in plant protection which regulates mandatory inspection of sprayers and mistblowers in use. Due to transitional problems which have been troubling Serbia during the last seven years, the inspection has not yet seen proper implementation in practice. By the beginning of the 2007 year, a new plant protection law is to come into power, to regulate the field of pesticide application. This law is compliant with the EU directive 91/414/EEC, and shall also include the article on mandatory inspection of sprayers and mistblowers. In order for the inspection to be applied in practice after the law has been enacted, experts of the Faculty of Agriculture have been campaigning for the last three years to educate agricultural producers and establish technical and organizational prerequisites for the beginning of the inspection. S. Y. Ovcharov, V. K. Gebov UDC: 621.798.15: 519.652 High precision extrapolation method in dynamic dosing systems based on weight measuring priciples Agr. Engng 12 (2006) 14, 4944; 3 fig, 6 ref. A method and a technical solution are suggested in order to increase precision of worm andwheel dosing systems (bagging machines) operating on weight measuring principles. The results from the weight measuring are processed by using Fourier transformation and extrapolation of the weight transformation curve. The method is applied in an algorithm for controlling a flourbagging machine.

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In memoriam Prof. Dr. JOSIP BRI 1923 2006

Josip Bri was born November 4, 1923 in Varadin. Graduating from the Faculty of Agriculture in Zagreb, in 1949, he was appointed research assistant at the Institute for Agricultural Engineering. In 1959, he received his Ph.D. for the thesis entitled: Grain losses in various methods of harvesting and threshing of cereals, and his habilitation in 1958. He was appointed Assistant Professor in 1959, for the subject Agricultural Engineering, lecturing to Animal Husbandry and Fruit Science & Viticulture majors. In 1962, Josip Bri was appointed Assistant Professor, while in 1966 he became Full Professor. In the period of 19621964, he was the ViceDean of the Faculty of Agriculture in Zagreb, while from 1964 to 1966 he served as Dean. Throughout his 44 years long carrier, Prof. Dr. Josip Bri was extremely active and devoted teacher of the Faculty of Agronomy in Zagreb. Alongside his regular teaching duties and education of many graduate student generations, guided by his insight and diligence, Prof. Dr. Josip Bri found time for many other activities. Thus, for example, in 1958/59 he established the first graduate studies programme in Agricultural Engineering which he then lead for many years. Testifying to his devotion to work and his effort to promote engineering are 104 M.Scs and 52 PhD who successfully completed their degrees under the friendly and stimulating guidance of Prof. Bri. In spite of his numerous everyday duties, Prof. Dr. Bri found time to author plenty of educational material, amongst which are undergraduate textbooks in Mechanization in Animal Husbandry (3 editions), Mechanization in Fruit Science and Viticulture (2 editions), Mechanization in Crop Farming (3 editions), Agricultural Engineering (group of authors) (2 editions). For graduate students, Prof. Bri prepared and published around forty of written materials for internal use. During his teaching and scientific carrier Prof. Dr. Josip Bri published 9 textbooks, 4 monographs, 80 scientific papers and 140 papers and studies in the area of agricultural engineering (combine harvesters, tractors, mechanization of animal husbandry, fruitscience & viticulture and crop farming). Prof. Dr. Josip Bri was editor of and contributor to Encyclopedia of Agriculture by Leksikografski Zavod, and a member of editorial board of the following journals: Poljoprivredna znanstvena smotra, Arhiva za poljoprivredne nauke (Bg), Suvremena poljoprivredna tehnika (NS). He also was president of Advisory Board of the journal Agrotehniar. Since 1958 Prof. Dr. Josip Bri had been member of American Society of Agricultural Engineers. In addition, Prof. Bri spent two years serving as president of the University Board of International Relations, and 4 years as a member. Since the beginning of his carrier, Prof. Dr. Josip Bri realized the extraordinary value of communication with the international academia, thus spending 11 months with various universities in the USA in 1954/55. He taught Agricultural machinery one semester at Michigan State University in East Lensing. During that stint, he participated in certification of a tractor in Nebraska Testing Station, Lincoln, and participated in research at faculties of Davis (California) and Auburn (Alabama). He made brief study visits to the USA, Canada, almost all European countries (from the UK to France, Germany, Czech Republic, Austria and USSR), P.R. China, Sudan and Iran. He held lectures on agricultural engineering in many states (Czech Republic, France, Italy, Hungary, P. R. China, the Netherlands, Germany, Norway and USSR). Since 1958, Prof. Dr. Bri was a permanent representative of Yugoslavia in the UN Economic Commission for Europe in Geneva, where he also published three scientific papers which were based on his international scientific research projects. His papers were published in English, French and Russian. During 19641980 he visited 12 university centers in the USA and Canada, gaining knowledge and experience which helped him introduce novel methods in Yugoslav agricultural engineering, such as: direct combine harvesting of seed clover and grasses, use of heavy tractors (P>100kW), 50

direct combine harvesting of corn, mechanized fruit, vegetables and grapes picking. Aided by his colleagues at the Institute of Agricultural Engineering and Institute for Mechanization of Agriculture, in 1970, Prof. Dr. Josip Bri initiated and organized the first International Conference on Actual Problems in Agricultural Engineering in Zagreb. Owing to the devotion of Prof. Josip Bri and his love for profession, during than last 35 years this traditional conference has remained attractive, for the colleagues in Croatia, as well as for the colleagues throughout Europe, Asia and America. Throughout his long carrier, Prof. Dr. Josip Bri cooperated with almost every factory of agricultural machinery and equipment, as well as with agricultural companies all over Yugoslavia. Prof. dr. Josip Bri always had a sporting streak, inheriting his love for sports and competition in his early days. Throughout his life, Prof. dr. Josip Bri kept his sporting spirit, both at work and on tennis court. Adoring tennis, he was a regular player, which must have helped him to keep fit, both physically and mentally. Just like all top athletes, out Prof. Bri worked relentlessly, raising numerous generations of agronomists and, most of all, agricultural engineers, selflessly passing his immense knowledge and experience gained all over the globe which he must have traveled several times over. What is more to be said of this cheerful and smiling man, true sportsman, caring parent, devoted teacher and an ever ready globetrotter. Thank you, Prof. Bri, on behalf of numerous student generations, for the time and knowledge, which you so selflessly gave us. We shall cherish the memory of you with joy and sadness.

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In memoriam Prof. Dr. TOMA KRMPOTI 1954 2006

Prof. Dr. Toma Krmpoti was born 1954 in Subotica, where he finished elementary and secondary school Moa Pijade. He graduated in 1978, from the Faculty of Agriculture in Novi Sad, Department of Agricultural Engineering, with the diploma thesis entitled: Comparative investigation of novel types of ploughs. Prof. Krmpoti received his M.Sc. degree in 1982 from the Faculty of Agriculture in Zagreb (Croatia) with the thesis entitled: Comparative study of technical and technological features of machines for mechanized corn harvest. He received his Ph.D in 1984 for the thesis Mechanized harvest of corn stalks, Faculty of Agriculture in Zagreb, and was promoted to the doctor of biotechnical science. Since September 1, 1979, he was employed with SOUR Agros RO Agrokombinat Subotica, OOUR Bikovo, while from March 1, 1986 to December 22, 2006 he worked at the Faculty of Economics in Subotica. He was promoted to Assistant Professor in 1986, Associate Professor in 1990 and Full Professor in 1996. He was with the Department for Agroeconomics and Agrobusiness, lecturing Agrotechnology to students of the 3rd year Major in Agroeconomics management. Prof. Krmpoti visited several faculties and institutes abroad: Nitra, 1976 and 1977, Wroclaw, 1976, Gdll, 1976, Lund, 1976, Versai, 1978, DLG Prfstelle, GrossUmstadt and Technische Universitt, Munich, Landtechnik Weihenstephan, Freising, 1985 and 2001. His most important studies abroad include: Instutut fuer Landtechnik, Halle, 1989 and 1990, Ukrainian Academy of Science, Kiev, 1989, Ukrainian Academy of Science, Lavov, 1990, Ukrainian Academy of Science, Beregovo, 1990, Department of Land and Agro Forestry Systems, Padova, 1991, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, Grinon, 1991, College of Agriculture, Nitra, 1992, Budapesti Muszaki Egyetem, Budapest, 1994, Agricultural University, Keszthely, Hungary, 1995 and 1996, Faculty of Agriculture in Gyongus, 1998. Prof. Krmpoti also held invited lectures at other faculties and universities: DLG Prufstelle Gross Umstadt, Germany, Technische Universitaet Muenchen, Institut fuer Landtechnik Weihenstephan, FreisingWeihenstephan, Germany and Universitt Martin Luter, Sektion Pflanzenproduction, Halle, Germany. He was also hired by the Megatrend University (College of Agriculture in Baka Topola, Sombor and Zajear). He authored and coauthored 6 university textbooks, 3 labmanuals and one handbook. He also authored one technical report, three monographs and one book. In co operation with Prof. Dr. Josip Bri, he coauthored two editions on biomas for FAO/CEE in Geneva. Prof. Krmpoti also authored 5 novel technical solutions in the area of agricultural engineering and 123 papers. At international conferences he presented 26 papers, and published 41 paper in domestic journals. On national conferences, he presented 51 paper which were published in the Proceedings. Prof. Krmpoti participated in 14 scientific&research projects. He received numerous awards, amongst which are: October Award of the City of Subotica, Gold Medal for reconstruction and innovation of a machine for harvesting and stacking of corn stalks at the 51st International Fair of Agriculture in Novi Sad. Prof. Krmpoti was member of the Voivodinian Society for Agricultural Engineering, Scientific Society of Farming Machinery, Tractors and Maintenance, Society of Agricultural Economics of Serbia, Union of University Teachers and European Association of Agricultural Economics.

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In memoriam Ass. Prof. Dr. RADOJICA MEHANDI 1960 2007

Sudden and premature death of Dr. Radojica Mehandzic, Assistant Professor at the Department for Agricultural Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture in Novi Sad, filled with great sadness his colleagues, associates, students, alumni and numerous friends. Dr. Radojica Mehandzic was born 1959 in Beska. In 1985, he graduated from the Faculty of Agriculture in Novi Sad. With this Faculty he was employed as teaching assistant since 1987, where he also received his Ph.D. degree in 2003. Already next year he was promoted to associate professor and appointed the director of the Department for Agricultural Engineering which he had successfully led until the end of 2006. Our students remember him as a committed pedagogue. Beside lecturing and conducting lab classes in a number of subjects, he also focused on scientific work, authoring and coauthoring more than a hundred papers. Dr. Mehandzic shall be remembered for his contribution to the revival of various societies for agricultural engineering. As a member of the Organizing Committee, he also successfully organized symposium "Agricultural Engineering". He was assistant editor of the journal "Savremena poljoprivredna tehnika as well as the editor of the magazine "Agronomska saznanja". The traditional SPIT which reviewed a variety of machines, certainly owed large part of success to the wholehearted enthusiasm of Dr. Radojica Mehandzic. His performance was effortless and efficient. He stood behind the manifestation entitled "24 Hours of ploughing", and was one of the leaders, often helping contestants to adjust their ploughs and encouraging them to perform their best. It was a logical thing to do for a man who was devoted to training people in the field. Dr. Radojica Mehandzic was a valuable contributor to our publishing. His advices and recommendations to readers about agricultural engineering, which was his specialization, were of utmost importance, since Dr. Mehandzic not only was a scholar but also a proficient engineer.

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