Engineering Commons^™

Improving Decision Support Systems With Machine Learning: Identifying Barriers To Adoption, Skye Brugler, Maaz Gardezi, Ali Dadkhah, Donna M. Rizzo, Asim Zia, Sharon A. Clay

Agronomy, Horticulture and Plant Science Faculty Publications

Precision agriculture (PA) has been defined as a “management strategy that gathers, processes and analyzes temporal, spatial and individual data and combines it with other information to support management decisions according to estimated variability for improved resource use efficiency, productivity, quality, profitability and sustainability of agricultural production.” This definition suggests that because PA should simultaneously increase food production and reduce the environmental footprint, the barriers to adoption of PA should be explored. These barriers include: 1) the financial constraints associated with adopting DSS, 2) the hesitancy of farmers to change from their trusted advisor to a computer program often behaves …

A Deep-Learning Framework For Spray Pattern Segmentation And Estimation In Agricultural Spraying Systems, Praneel Acharya, Travis Burgers, Kim-Doang Nguyen

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Publications

This work focuses on leveraging deep learning for agricultural applications, especially for spray pattern segmentation and spray cone angle estimation. These two characteristics are important to understanding the sprayer system such as nozzles used in agriculture. The core of this work includes three deep-learning convolution-based models. These models are trained and their performances are compared. After the best model is selected based on its performance, it is used for spray region segmentation and spray cone angle estimation. The output from the selected model provides a binary image representing the spray region. This binary image is further processed using image processing …

Session 2: The Effect Of Boom Leveling On Spray Dispersion, Travis A. Burgers, Miguel Bustamante, Juan F. Vivanco

SDSU Data Science Symposium

Self-propelled sprayers are commonly used in agriculture to disperse agrichemicals. These sprayers commonly have two boom wings with dozens of nozzles that disperse the chemicals. Automatic boom height systems reduce the variability of agricultural sprayer boom height, which is important to reduce uneven spray dispersion if the boom is not at the target height.

A computational model was created to simulate the spray dispersion under the following conditions: a) one stationary nozzle based on the measured spray pattern from one nozzle, b) one stationary model due to an angled boom, c) superposition of multiple stationary nozzles due an angled boom, …

Vision And Radar Steering Reduces Agricultural Sprayer Operator Stress Without Compromising Steering Performance, Travis A. Burgers, Kelly J. Vanderwerff

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Publications

Self-propelled agricultural sprayer operators work an average of 15 h d^-1 in peak season, and steering is the task that causes the operator the most stress because of the large number of stimuli involved. Automatic guidance systems help reduce stress and fatigue for operators by allowing them to focus on tasks other than steering. Physiological signals like skin conductance (electrodermal activity, EDA) change with stress and can be used to identify stressful events. The objective of this study was to determine if using a commercially available vision and radar guidance system (VSN®, Raven Industries) reduces agricultural sprayer operators’ stress …

Design Of Affordable Polyaniline - Based Wearable Sensor For Real Time Plant Growth Monitoring, Temitope Borode

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The need for precision agriculture in today and future farming cannot be overstressed. Recent agriculture is characterized by numerous challenges such as environmental stressors and resource constraints resulting in low crop yield and unsustainable agriculture practices. Understanding plant growth mechanism and growth rate under the external influence is a bedrock towards precision agriculture practices ensuring optimum yield and sustainable utilization of resources. The current study addresses this need by developing and applying an affordable and stable sensor for monitoring plant growth. The sensor was fabricated by in-situ chemical polymerization of aniline on an elastic band substrate by dip coating. The …

Managing Water Quantity And Quality With Subsurface Drainage In Eastern South Dakota, Morghan Hurst

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Moisture extremes (excess and deficit) impact crop loss and water quality. Due to excessively wet springs and dry summers, crop damage can occur within the same county or field within the same year. To determine the magnitude of this problem in eastern South Dakota, indemnified crop insurance data for drought and excessive moisture claims were assessed for the years 1991-2020 for the occurrence of both excess moisture and drought in four counties in eastern South Dakota. Results show that there is greater than a 70% chance of the moisture extremes happening in the same year, making subsurface drainage, controlled drainage, …

Comparison Of Three Commercial Automatic Boom Height Systems For Agricultural Sprayers, Travis A. Burgers, John D. Gaard, Brian J. Hyronimus

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Publications

Automatic boom height systems reduce the variability of agricultural sprayer boom height. Consistent boom height is important for three key reasons: to reduce uneven spray dispersion if the boom is too low, to reduce spray droplet drift if the boom is too high, and to reduce damage to the boom or crop if the boom is too low. No data is available comparing commercial boom height systems. Three leading North American automatic boom height systems were compared: John Deere BoomTrac Pro (System A), Raven AutoBoom® XRT (System B), and Norac UC5TM Passive Roll (System C) on a John Deere R4045 …

Internet Of Things Based Wireless Sensor Network And Advanced Machine Learning Models For Precision Agriculture, Ahmed El-Magrous

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Recent studies assumed that the world population would reach 10.3 billion by 2070. This will require more land for housing; simultaneously resulting in a loss of land for agricultural purposes. However, the new generations also need food, and the lack of new agrarian land is a critical reason that leads researchers and producers to improve daily agriculture practices by using precision agriculture concepts and technologies to increase yield and crop quality. This work represents the design, development, and testing of a customizable and cost-effective Weather-Soil Sensor Station (W-SSS) for use in Precision Agriculture based on high accuracy sensors, wireless communication, …

Development Of Enhanced Weed Detection System With Adaptive Thresholding, K-Means And Support Vector Machine, Dheeman Saha

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This paper proposes a sophisticated classification process to segment the leaves of carrots from weeds (mostly Chamomile). In the early stages, of the plants’ development, both weeds and carrot leaves are intermixed with each other and have similar color texture. This makes it difficult to identify without the help of the domain experts. Therefore, it is essential to remove the weed regions so that the carrot plants can grow without any interruptions. The process of identifying the weeds become more challenging when both plant and weed regions overlap (inter-leaves). The proposed system addresses this problem by creating a sophisticated means …

Development Of Vegetation Mapping With Deep Convolutional Neural Network, Sae-Han Suh

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The Precision Agriculture plays a crucial part in the agricultural industry about improving the decision-making process. It aims to optimally allocate the resources to maintain the sustainable productivity of farmland and reduce the use of chemical compounds. [17] However, the on-site inspection of vegetations often falls to researchers’ trained eye and experience, when it deals with the identification of the non-crop vegetations. Deep Convolution Neural Network (CNN) can be deployed to mitigate the cost of manual classification. Although CNN outperforms the other traditional classifiers, such as Support Vector Machine, it is still in question whether CNN can be deployable in …

Measuring The Influence Of Bedding On Soil Nitrogen Losses And Corn Crop Nitrogen Characteristics For Fall Applied Solid Beef Cattle Manure In Eastern South Dakota, Mukesh Mehata

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Nitrogen (N) is a major component of chlorophyll which plays a key role in the photosynthesis process in crops. The N is one of the highest demanded nutrients by all plants for their growth and reproduction. Manure or inorganic fertilizer is often applied to fulfill the crops’ N demand. However, the applied N sources have the potential of N losses in different forms from the soil volume in many ways such as ammonia (NH₃) volatilization, aerial nitrous oxide (N₂O) loss, nitrate (NO₃ --N) leaching, and runoff and/or erosion. Soil fertility, crop yield, water quality, and …

A Quantitative Environmental Assessment Of Incorporating Torrefaction Into Farming Enterprises In Eastern South Dakota, Dinesh Fuyal

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The use of renewable energy sources has been increasing in the recent years due to population growth and environmental concerns. Biomass is a promising energy source that can be used to produce biofuels or torrefied pellets. Torrefied biomass may be used in power plants, industrial and residential heating, feedstocks for gasification, air and water filtrating, and soil amendment. The interest of torrefied pellets as energy sources for various applications has been increased in the recent years due to the concerns about energy security and environmental issues. This study focuses on the economic and environmental assessment of agricultural feedstocks like corn …

Using Remote Sensing To Estimate Crop Water Use To Improve Irrigation Water Management, Arturo Reyes-Gonzalez

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Irrigation water is scarce. Hence, accurate estimation of crop water use is necessary for proper irrigation managements and water conservation. Satellite-based remote sensing is a tool that can estimate crop water use efficiently. Several models have been developed to estimate crop water requirement or actual evapotranspiration (ETa) using remote sensing. One of them is the Mapping EvapoTranspiration at High Resolution using Internalized Calibration (METRIC) model. This model has been compared with other methods for ET estimations including weighing lysimeters, pan evaporation, Bowen Ratio Energy Balance System (BREBS), Eddy Covariance (EC), and sap flow. However, comparison of METRIC model outputs to …

A Demonstration Study Of Drainage Water Management In Eastern South Dakota, Ashik Sahani

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Subsurface drainage is a common water management practice for improving crop production in poorly drained soils; however, the practice is associated with several environmental concerns such as nutrient losses to downstream surface waters. These environmental concerns from subsurface drainage have prompted interest in drainage water management strategies such as controlled drainage. This study assessed the agronomic and environmental impacts of drainage water management in eastern South Dakota by using two demonstration plots for controlled and conventional drainage. Drain flow, nitrate and dissolved phosphorous concentration in drain water, shallow groundwater, crop yield, residual soil nitrate, soil moisture and temperature, soil penetration …

Effect Of Different Extrusion Processing Parameters On Physical Properties Of Soy White Flakes And High Protein Distillers Dried Grains-Based Extruded Aquafeeds, Sushil Kumar Singh, Kasiviswanathan Muthukumarappan

Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Publications

Nutritionally balanced ingredient blends for catla (Catla catla), belonging to the family Cyprinidae, were extruded using single screw extruder. The extrusion was carried out at five levels of soy white flakes content (21%, 29%, 40%, 52%, and 59% db), five levels of moisture content (15, 19, 25, 31, and 35% db) and five levels of barrel temperature (100, 110, 125, 140, and 150 ºC) using three different die nozzles (having L/D ratios 3.33, 5.83, and 7.25). Blends with net protein content of 32.5% contains soy white flakes, along with high protein distillers dried grains (HP-DDG), corn flour, corn gluten meal, …

The Journal Of Undergraduate Research: Volume 12

The Journal of Undergraduate Research

This is the complete issue of the South Dakota State University Journal of Undergraduate Research, Volume 12.

Wetland Issues Affecting Waterfowl Conservation In North America, Heath M. Hagy, Scott C. Yaich, John W. Simpson, Eduardo Carrera, David A. Haukos, W.Carter Johnson, Charles R. Loesch, Fritz A. Reid, Scott E. Stephens, Ralph W. Tiner, Brett A. Werner, Greg S. Yarris

Natural Resource Management Faculty Publications

This paper summarises discussions by invited speakers during a special session at the 6th North American Duck Symposium on wetland issues that affect waterfowl, highlighting current ecosystem challenges and opportunities for the conservation of waterfowl in North America. Climate change, invasive species, U.S. agricultural policy (which can encourage wetland drainage and the expansion of row-crop agriculture into grasslands), cost and competition for water rights, and wetland management for non-waterfowl species were all considered to pose significant threats to waterfowl populations in the near future. Waterfowl populations were found to be faced with significant threats in several regions, including: the Central …

Long Term, Continuous Temperature Monitoring Of A Simple Anaerobic Digester And Open Manure Storage Pond In Eastern South Dakota, J. Darrington, E. Cortus

The Journal of Undergraduate Research

A two-cell manure storage system with a cover on the first cell was constructed in the late summer of 2009 in Eastern South Dakota. The covered cell acts as a simple anaerobic digester. Continuous temperature monitoring for 8 months shows the winter effluent temperature equilibrated to around 6°C, and that the effluent temperature trend lagged the ambient temperature trend by a month. Manure composition was also analyzed and was found to be relatively steady throughout the system. Volatile solids were the only component that dropped appreciably across the treatment cell, with an observed maximum of 50% reduction.

Discharge Measurement And Energy Efficiency Evaluation Of Irrigation Pumping Plants, Bruce A. Jennings

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

No information has been available regarding efficiencies of electric irrigation pumping plants in South Dakota. Pumping plant discharge, a key parameter in the calculation of pumping plant efficiency, is often difficult to measure in the field. A project was initiated at South Dakota State University in 1976 to investigate field pumping plant efficiencies. The following objectives were established for the project. 1. To investigate various methods of measuring irrigation pumping plant discharge. 2. To develop a suitable field procedure for determining electric irrigation pumping plant efficiency. 3. To measure energy efficiency of selected electric irrigation pumping plants in South Dakota.

Performance Of A Diurnally Tracking Solar Energy-Intensifier, Calvin E. Siegel

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The United States agricultural system provides numerous opportunities in which solar energy can be utilized. Low to moderate temperature rise collectors can provide a large percentage of the energy requirements normally met by using high quality fossil fuels. As world demand for food production increases due to a growing population, alternative sources of energy need to be developed and applied as substitutes for these increasingly scarce fossil fuels. Agriculture offers practical advantages for the use of solar heat energy because there exists sufficient area for solar collectors and a wide range of temperature applications on most farmsteads. Demand for energy …

The First 50 Years: Agricultural Engineering, Henry H. Delong

Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Publications

This is a history of the first 50 years (1925-1975) of the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering at South Dakota State University, including lists of departmental projects and faculty members.

Chapter I: Introduction
Chapter II: The Beginning of Our Department
Chapter III: Progress in the 40's
Chapter IV: The Growth Picture of the 50's
Chapter V: The Expanding 60's
Chapter VI: The Unique Project of Rammed Earth Construction
Chapter VII: Agricultural Extension Work by the Agricultural Engineers
Chapter VIII: Ag Engineers Take Part in Experiment Station

Integrated Numerical Simulation Of Drip Irrigation With Subsurface Drainage, James Ray Hoover

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

A numerical method and model were developed to simulate soil moisture during steady-state and transient flow toward a tile drain. Intermittent application of water by drip irrigation and rainfall were simulated by use of finite difference approximation equations. No known analytical solution for these flow situations exists because of the complex mathematics describing unsaturated flow in the soil. The computer model is based on the electrical resistance network analog. The explicit finite difference equations were solved by the successive over-relaxation method for steady-state flow and by iteration for transient soil moisture flow. The computer program for the model consists of …

Evaluation Of Bi-Level Drainage Theory With A Viscous-Flow Analog, James Marfred Kienholz

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The primary purpose of this study is to evaluate the validity of this bi-level theory with a viscous-flow analog. Viscous-flow analogs have been used by many investigators in the past to evaluate analytical solution to drainage problems (Bear, 1972). The objectives of this study are: 1. Design and construct a viscous-flow analog for laboratory and classroom use, 2. Test the reliability of existing bi-level drainage theory with the analog, and 3. Provide design data for use in the solution of bi-level drainage problems. The bi-level drainage theory will be graphically presented for design purposes provided the theory is shown to …

The Role Of Rainfall Impact And Surface Flow In Soil Detachment And Transport, Robert Alan Young

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Soil erosion caused by rainfall is a very complex physical process. To evaluate the mechanism of erosion so that an assessment can be made of the extent to which it may be controlled necessarily begins with an understanding of the basic fundamental factors involved. The purpose of this study involves the development of an insight of the relative importance of the roles played by various contributors to the erosion process. Particular emphasis is placed on the contribution of rainfall detached soil to total soil loss. Three soil types, Barnes loam, Crofton silt loam and Central sandy loam, were prepared with …

An Incrementally Distributed Mathematical Model Of A Watershed, Charles Arnold Onstad

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The utilization of distributed input parameters enables hydrologists to more adequately cope with watershed management problems. A distributed system aids in evaluating alternative solutions designed to alleviate a problem situation. As a result, the objectives of this study were (1) to develop a hydrological framework delineating the surf ace configuration of a watershed to consider parameter distribution; (2) to develop a model of hydrologic performance of a watershed using existing techniques and amenable to the physical framework; and (3) to demonstrate the versatility of the model using hypothetical data. The model versatility was demonstrated by showing the effects of different …

Minimum Construction Requirements For New Dwellings Located In The Northern California District, Federal Housing Administration

Rammed Earth Collection

No abstract provided.

Rammed Earth Walls For Farm Building (Revised April 1938), Agricultural Experiment Station, South Dakota State College

Rammed Earth Collection

This is the second edition of Experiment Station Bulletin 277-1933, slightly revised and containing a supplement of results and progress up to 1938 that was not reported in Experiment Station Bulletin 298 published in 1936 and entitled "The Relation of Colloids in Soil to Its Favorable Use in Pise or Rammed Earth Walls."

Rammed Earth Walls For Buildings, U.S. Department Of Agriculture

Rammed Earth Collection

Earth has been used for building dwellings from time immemorial. One method of use, superior to others, and which was known to the Romans has been preserved by tradition .t o modern times. This method consists of ramming slightly moist, specially selected earth, without the addition of straw or other material, between movable forms, and is known by itsFrench name, " pise de terre," which means "rammed earth." Pise de terre is a reliable building material when properly handled and is admirably adapted to structures on farms distant from transport routes. Little information has been published on rammed earth in …