<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Cultural practices such as tillage used for crop production influence the composition of the weed seed bank in the soil. In order to investigate the effects of different tillage methods on seed bank properties, species diversity and similarity, two laboratory and greenhouse experiments were carried out as randomized complete block design with four replications in 2011. Treatments included: once tillage per year (T1), twice tillage per year (T2), more than twice tillage (T3) and no tillage (T4). Laboratory results showed that the T3 and T4 treatments had the highest and the lowest observed seeds numbers, respectively. Between the laboratory observed weed seeds, the maximum weed seed numbers were Echinochloa crus-galli and Amaranthus retroflexus in the T3 treatment, while Chenopodium album, Polygonum aviculare and Cuscuta campestris had the highest seed numbers in the T2 treatment. At the greenhouse study, Chenopodium album, Amaranthus retroflexus and Hordeum morinum in the T2 treatment were dominant species. The highest diversity was observed in the T2 treatment, and Chenopodium album and Echinochloa crus-galli were dominant species in the T2 and T3 treatments. Maximum species similarity index was achieved from the T1 and T3 treatments. Thereby this study concluded that increasing of tillage number could affect the similarity index of weed seeds and subsequently alters the weed community composition.</abstract>

Islamic Azad University, Khomein Branch, Khomein, Iran

Young Researchers and Elite Club, Maragheh Branch, Islamic Azad University, Maragheh, Iran

Young Researchers and Elite Club, Khorramabad Branch, Islamic Azad University, Khorramabad, Iran

University of Zabol, Sistan and Baluchestan, Iran

Do Tillage Methods Affect Germination and Species Similarity of Soil Weed Seeds Bank?

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Drying characteristics of cassava slices was investigated in a mixed mode natural convection solar dryer to obtain a suitable mathematical model describing the drying. The average drying chamber temperature was between 34 ±2 °C and 50 ±1.8 °C, while 10 commonly used thin layer drying models were used for drying curve modelling. Coefficient of determination (R2) and root mean square error (RMSE) were used to determine the models performances. The drying curve of cassava slices showed a reduction of moisture content with increased drying time in the solar dryer, and the variation of moisture ratio exponentially decreased with increased drying time. The Midilli and Logarithmic models showed better fit to the experimental drying data of cassava slices. As compared with other models tested, there were no significant differences (p >0.05) in the R2 values obtained for the Midilli and Logarithmic models; hence, the Logarithmic model was preferable because of the lower RMSE. The diffusion mechanism could be used to describe the drying of cassava slices that was found to be in the falling rate period. A diffusion coefficient (Deff) of 1.22 × 10-8 m2 s-1 was obtained, which was within the established standard for food products.</abstract>

Federal University of Agriculture, Department of Agricultural Engineering, Abeokuta, P.M.B 2240, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria

Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria

Solar Drying Kinetics of Cass Ava Slices in a Mixed Flow Dryer

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">The process of preparing small seed mixtures, especially of perennial cereal grasses, is intensified by certain difficulties. Research has shown that the process of separating mixtures can be enhanced by using a high-voltage electric field. As a result, the separation of quality seed and the seed without an embryo occurs.</abstract>

Lviv National Agrarian University, Faculty of Mechanical and Power Engineering, 1 V. Velycoho str., Lviv – Dubliany, 80381, Ukraine

Lviv National Agrarian University, Ukraine

Carpathian Institute of Agriculture of Western Region NAASU, Ukraine

Intensification of the Process of Preparing Small Seed Crop Mixtures

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">One of the most important factors determining the company‘s capacity to produce high quality products is the level of machinery operation effectiveness. Companies having modern machinery are characterized by high productivity. To obtain a high quality product, the equipment should be properly used, without any failure, which contributes significantly to the exploitation level increase. The modernity level and the exploitation effectiveness level for chosen machine producing furniture components in relation to the product quality level were analysed in the paper. As a result of the research findings analysis, proposals for corrective actions with regard to machinery maintenance and production processes were presented.</abstract>

Institute of Production Engineering, Faculty of Management, Czestochowa University of Technology, Armii Krajowej 19B, 42-200 Częstochowa, Poland

Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Slovak Republic

Influence of Machine Exploitation Effectiveness on Furniture Production Quality Level

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Vacuum fluctuation was measured using three different vacuum control methods. Firstly, the use was made of a control valve delivered by the manufacturer; then, an additionally installed frequency converter was used. Lastly, a frequency converter fitted with the stabilisation device prototype was used. First, control sensitivity according to ISO was measured in all the three alternatives. Then, vacuum fluctuation during milking was measured. To conduct the measurements under objectively identified conditions, another measurement was conducted with air feed during milking being replaced with a precisely defined variable flow rate. The conducted measurement confirmed the fact that when the frequency converter is used, vacuum fluctuation in stabilised condition is at the same level as when the control valve is used. If there are sudden changes in flow rate and the frequency converter is used, vacuum fluctuation increases. The proposed stabilisation device prototype can reduce the fluctuation in small milking plant but it is not suitable in large milking parlours.</abstract>

Mendel University in Brno, Faculty of Agronomy, Department of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Engineering, Zemědělská 1, 613 00 Brno, Czech Republic

Mendel University in Brno, Czech Republic

Vacuum Fluctuation in 2 × 13 Herringbone Milking Parlour in Dependence on Vacuum Control Method

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">This work deals with a specific method of non-destructive testing - acoustic emission. The theoretical part of the article is focused on the underlying principle of this method and its applicability. The experimental part is focused on the research of pressure resistance in mineral feed using acoustic emission. Mineral feed is a condensed cube of rock salt (sodium chloride) with supplementary minerals, which is fed to livestock and game to supply the mineral elements necessary for their health and condition. Acoustic emission gives the overview of internal changes in material structure. With use of specific software we can interpret the acoustic signal and identify the current state of material integrity in real time.</abstract>

Mendel University in Brno, Faculty of Agronomy, Department of Technology and Automobile Transport, Zemědělská 1, 613 00 Brno, Czech Republic

Acoustic Emission with Testing the Pressure Resistance and Structural Integrity in Mineral Feeds

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Acta Technologica Agriculturae

 Acta Technologica Agriculturae (ATA) is an international scientific journal focused on agricultural engineering. The journal is multidisciplinary and publishes a wide range of original research and review articles in engineering, agricultural and biological sciences, and materials science. All submitted articles considered suitable for ATA are subjected to rigorous double-blind peer review to ensure the highest levels of quality.  The journal Editorial Board welcomes manuscripts in both fundamental and applied research areas and encourages submissions which contribute novel and innovative insights to the field of agricultural engineering. Original papers which provide an important contribution to the development of agricultural engineering and report on significant developments in the field are encouraged.  Aims and Scope  ATA aims to advance the understanding of agricultural engineering by providing a platform for the publication of unique contributions in the field of agricultural engineering across a variety of topics, including, but not limited to:   agricultural and biosystems engineering;  machines and mechanization of agricultural production;  information and electrical technologies;  agro-product and food processing engineering;  physical, chemical and biological changes in the soil caused by tillage and field traffic, soil working machinery and terramechanics;  renewable energy sources and bioenergy;  rural buildings;  agricultural waste management and disposal;  related issues from applied physics and chemistry, ecology, economy and energy.    Rejection Rate   40 %   Archiving  Sciendo archives the contents of this journal in Portico - digital long-term preservation service of scholarly books, journals and collections.  Plagiarism Policy  The editorial board is participating in a growing community of Similarity Check System's users in order to ensure that the content published is original and trustworthy. Similarity Check is a medium that allows for comprehensive manuscripts screening, aimed to eliminate plagiarism and provide a high standard and quality peer-review process. 