A Non-Destructive and Direction-Insensitive Method Using a Strain Sensor and Two Single Axis Angle Sensors for...

Area of Science:

• Agricultural Engineering
• Plant Science
• Crop Physiology

Background:

• Corn stalk lodging, caused by wind, nutrient deficiency, and diseases, results in significant yield losses.
• Rapid evaluation of corn lodging resistance is crucial for crop breeding and optimizing cultivation practices like irrigation, fertilization, and weather management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a non-destructive, direction-insensitive method for rapid field evaluation of corn stalk lodging resistance.
• To introduce a novel measurement device for assessing lodging properties by applying an equivalent force perpendicular to the stalk.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a strain sensor and two single-axis angle sensors for non-destructive measurement.
• Applied an equivalent force perpendicular to the corn stalk to evaluate lodging properties.
• Designed and tested a novel measurement device with a coefficient of variation of 4.85%.

Main Results:

• The novel device achieved a coefficient of variation of 4.85% in measuring equivalent force.
• Maximum equivalent forces reached up to 44 N across five corn varieties and two planting densities.
• A strong correlation (R² = 0.88) was found between maximum equivalent forces and field stalk lodging rates.
• Stalk lodging angles shifted monotonically with equivalent forces over a 20-second measurement period.

Conclusions:

• The proposed non-destructive, direction-insensitive method is an effective tool for rapid analysis of corn stalk lodging resistance.
• The study provides critical insights into in-situ lodging dynamics, aiding crop breeding and management strategies.
• This approach supports the development of lodging-resistant corn varieties and improved agricultural practices.