Accurate and timely assessment of plant stand density is crucial for modern crop production, directly impacting sugar beet yield and profitability. This study aims to develop and validate a highly accurate automated method for counting sugar beet seedlings using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and deep learning algorithms, optimizing both precision and processing speed. Field experiments were conducted in 2025 on commercial sugar beet fields in the Buzdyak district of the Republic of Bashkortostan. A DJI Phantom 4 Pro UAV equipped with an RGB camera captured aerial imagery from a 20-meter altitude. Initial vegetation segmentation employed the Excess Green (ExG) index, followed by binarization and morphological filtering. The YOLOv8n and YOLOv5m deep learning architectures, trained on a manually annotated dataset of aerial images, were then implemented for seedling detection and classification. Algorithm performance was rigorously evaluated against manual seedling counts on control plots. The YOLOv8n model demonstrated superior performance (Precision: 0.80; Recall: 0.70; AP50: 0.75; R²: 0.99), achieving a minimum relative error of 1.11% and a root mean squared error (RMSE) of 3.0. While YOLOv5m exhibited comparable correlation (R²: 0.98), it displayed lower recall and precision. The developed algorithm enables the generation of spatial distribution maps of seedlings, readily integrated into precision agriculture systems. This technology significantly reduces labor costs for seedling counting – by orders of magnitude compared to manual methods – while also eliminating subjective errors. The obtained results demonstrate the feasibility for industrial implementation, enabling rapid crop condition assessment, informed replanting decisions, and targeted site-specific agro-technological interventions. Future research will focus on expanding the algorithm to incorporate simultaneous weed mapping and adapting it for use with other crops.

Soil loosening with compressed air is a promising technique. This technology offers two modes: surface layer treatment with and without ultrasonic vibration. The study aimed to quantify the impact intensity of compressed air jets on the soil surface. To assess intensity, the author used the following indicators: loosening coefficient, loosening area cross-section shape, loosening depth, maximum loosening area width, and the zone width of an air jet entry. The finite element method (FEM) was employed to model soil response to treatment, using parameters such as Young’s modulus, Poisson’s ratio, and the specific potential energy of soil particle destruction. This FEM analysis was implemented in LabVIEW software, simulating soil at its physical ripeness (16-23% moisture content) under receiver pressure drops of 0.2-0.5 MPa. Experiments revealed that inner loosening area sections varied based on the treatment mode (with or without ultrasonic vibration). Increasing receiver pressure consistently increased the loosening coefficient, loosening depth, and maximum loosening area width across all moisture content levels of the loamy soil tested. Within the specified moisture and pressure ranges (16-23% moisture, 0.2 to 0.5 MPa), the maximum loosening depth achieved was 5 cm, the maximum loosening width ranged from 2 to 5 cm, and the air jet entry zone width was 2 to 3 cm. A maximum loosening coefficient of 17% was observed at 16% moisture content and 0.5 MPa receiver discharge pressure. These findings will help determine the optimal placement of gas jet emitters in future designs, potentially eliminating the need for a deformer.

Wheat production is a critical component of Iraqi agriculture, accounting for 54.6% of total agricultural output. However, grain harvesting suffers from significant losses and extended timelines due to a combination of factors: an insufficient number and low productivity of combine harvesters, limited mechanization (31.63%), and excessive idle time for combines (61% of working hours). Further exacerbating the problem is a shortage of adequate grain storage facilities; elevators can only accommodate 70-80% of the harvest. This study proposes a system optimization approach to increase the efficiency of wheat harvesting, combining an improved harvesting and transport system with the use of polyethylene hoses as temporary storage. The applicability of this technology was assessed in the Essaouira area of Iraq. The number of optimal temporary storage facilities was determined based on the average grain transport radius from combines by reloading trailers, security costs, and operating expenses for filling and emptying the hoses. The proposed solution utilizes Qirgdao polyethylene hoses with a 200-ton capacity, costing 54,000 rubles per unit. The effectiveness of different harvesting schemes was evaluated based on total operating costs. The operating cost of the existing conventional technology – employing one New Holland TC5040 combine harvester, trucking grain 72 km to an elevator, and storing 49,000 tons – was estimated at 2,136.9 rubles per ton. The proposed harvesting and transport system, incorporating four New Holland TC5040 combine harvesters and two BPZ-16 reloading trailers (16-ton capacity), yielded significantly lower operating costs of 618.9 rubles per ton. Simulation results indicated that the lowest operating cost (1015.7 rubles/ton) was achieved with eight storage locations, utilizing 30 hoses to store 6,120 tons of grain. The improved productivity of the combine within the optimized system was 7.34 tons per hour, representing 71% of its potential productivity (10.21 tons/hour). The study confirmed the economic benefits of integrating polyethylene hose-based grain storage into wheat harvesting operations in Iraq.

The conventional system of maintenance and repair of hydraulic systems in technological (or industrial) machines cannot predict sudden failures. Transition to condition-based maintenance requires developing a methodology for real-time detection of defects in parts and assemblies. The condition of hydraulic system components can be more effectively assessed with the vibration analysis. The research aimed to develop and test a methodology for vibration diagnostics of hydraulic systems in technological machines based on the spectral analysis of the spectral power density of a vibration signal. The proposed methodology includes the following stages: obtaining raw data from sensors of the monitored mechanisms; preliminary data processing and feature selection to reduce the dimensionality of the raw data and obtain useful information from the signal; SPM-analysis and calculation of the peak factor and kurtosis; diagnostic classification of faults, defect identification; and real-time data visualization. The authors have developed a software package for automated processing of vibration signals. The analysis based on measuring the spectral density of vibration signal power demonstrated the effectiveness of defect identification under various operating modes. The methodology was tested on an NSh-32A gear-type hydraulic pump at three operating modes: 1000, 1500, and 2000 rpm. Informative features were detected from the vibration signal for diagnosing four pump conditions (serviceable, worn bearing, worn gear, and combined defects) with an accuracy of 90 to 93%. The developed methodology for controlling the hydraulic systems of technological machines can diagnose sudden failures with high accuracy. Future research plans to establish the relationship between the change in vibration acceleration and the volumetric efficiency of the gear pump.

Traditional filters for water, fuel, and process fluids require replacement and disposal, raising environmental concerns. The growing need for sustainable waste management has spurred research into biodegradable filter materials that decompose naturally without releasing harmful substances into the environment. This study aimed to synthesize a novel, biodegradable polymer composite for filtration applications. For this purpose, the authors developed a unique method for producing highly porous polymer materials by spraying a colloidal solution on a substrate. The resulting polymer composite was analyzed using a SIMEX FT-801 FTIR spectrometer with a diamond ATR accessory. Component distribution within the composite was analyzed with a BIOMED-2 microscope and an eyepiece camera. The synthesis yielded a new biodegradable composite material composed of polylactide (PLA), BNK-28 AMN butadiene-nitrile rubber, and resorcinol. FTIR spectroscopy confirmed the presence of cis- and trans-substituted aromatic compounds, phenols, esters, and isonitriles in the composite material, indicating a complex mixture of polymer fibers. This suggests that some PLA macromolecules interact with resorcinol, while others interacted with the rubber component. Microscopic analysis revealed a highly porous structure with 20,750 pores/cm² and an average pore size of 31 microns. These results demonstrate the promising prospects of this novel biodegradable composite polymer as a sustainable filter material for air, water, and other liquids.

The country’s food security doctrines require modern, efficient and high-performance machinery, but the domestic machine and tractor fleet is characterized by limited reproduction. The depreciation period for an average statistical tractor is more than 20 years. The study aimed to identify strategic unused reserves for increasing the technical capacity of the agro–industrial sector by improving machine reproduction. The research methodology rests on the results obtained by the scientific Engineering and Economics School of Yu.A. Konkin, Full Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, as well as statistical data on the availability of tractors and combine harvesters for domestic farm enterprises in 2021-2023 and a comparative assessment of tractor renewal coefficients. As a result, techniques for the practical implementation of machine reproduction have been put forward: state regulation and support of the reproduction of technical facilities and the practical implementation of government programs for the development of agriculture.; preferential lending and targeted financing of the national agricultural sector. It was proposed to review the methods of depreciation for renovation, the equivalence of exchange in the purchase and sale of new and used machinery, leasing, and regulatory acts related to the economic relations of agricultural producers, processing enterprises, intermediaries and retail chains. The authors propose to implement the proposals of the Problematic Laboratory on the Economic Aspects of Repair and Maintenance of the Goryachkin Agricultural Engineering Institute (MIISP) performed by the Engineering and Economic Scientific School of Yu.A. Konkin, Full Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences. The research base includes a 3-fold examination of 150 thousand tractors.

Precision farming, leveraging geoinformation technologies, enables sustainable and cost-effective agricultural production. Variable-rate application (VRA) of solid mineral fertilizers (SMF) is key to reducing consumption, while the on-field mixing of single-component fertilizers prevents segregation and ensures optimal nutrient mixes. Boom-type units with pneumatic transport systems further enhance fertilizer distribution uniformity. This research aimed to develop a novel boom-type implement for the simultaneous on-field mixing of single-component fertilizers and their targeted, variable-rate application based on real-time soil nutrient requirements. The study was conducted at the educational and experimental farm of Stavropol State Agrarian University. The methodology involved creating a digital field map, defining mobile complex paths and soil sampling points. A Mitsubichi L-200 complex with a Nietfeld Duoprob 60 sampler collected soil samples at 30 cm depth. Agrochemical analysis results were linked to these paths and processed by software to generate a nutrient content cartogram, which then served as the basis for VRA. The developed boomtype implement design features a pneumatic transport system and a three-compartment hopper, each with a dedicated dosing device for individual mineral fertilizers. After mixing, the customized fertilizer mix is distributed across the field according to the application map. This proposed design effectively eliminates mineral fertilizer segregation, ensures precise N:P:K ratios tailored to specific field zones, and guarantees uniform distribution of the fertilizer mix.

Silver (Ag) is used in agriculture for water disinfection, plant and animal protection, and the treatment of organic waste. Producing membrane filters containing silver requires a technology that ensures the stability of obtaining powder with a narrow particle size distribution. The authors conducted the study to develop and test a technological chain for the production of silver-containing membrane filters. The authors have designed an automated control system for the plasma atomization process, ensuring control over pressure, wire feed rate, temperature, gas, and water flow. The article presents a functional diagram for controlling the plasma torch. An antibacterial powder with a fraction size of 160 to 200 μm was obtained from corrosion-resistant steel 316L with 0.2% Ag using powder metallurgy at a temperature of 1000 to 1200°C, from which a porous membrane filter was fabricated. Tests conducted using the “disk method” revealed a clearly defined zone of inhibition of Pseudomonas spp. growth with a diameter of 10 to 13 mm, confirming the contact mechanism of bacteriostasis achieved by introducing 0.2% Ag into the 316L steel matrix. The key research outcome is the production of filters with stable and reproducible permeability (averaging 25.3 μm²), combining the functions of mechanical filtration and antimicrobial protection. The developed technology opens up prospects for their application in water treatment systems for the needs of agriculture and other industries. Further research will focus on evaluating the durability of the bactericidal action under real operating conditions and expanding the range of tested microorganisms.

High-quality repair and regular maintenance of the camshaft ensure reliable and efficient engine operation. The quality of restored parts depends on precision machining. The research aimed to evaluate the quality of equipment settings to machine the main bearing journals of the YaMZ-236 engine camshaft to oversize dimensions. To assess the quality of the camshaft restoration process, the authors applied control sheets, Shewhart control charts, and a histogram. The diameters of 20 camshaft bearing journals, both before and after repair, were determined in two cross-sections and in two mutually perpendicular planes using an SR-75 lever gauge. The check sheets allowed for the collection and processing of primary data for the statistical analysis of the repair of the YaMZ-236 engine camshaft. Analysis of the control charts showed that the variations in ranges (spreads) within and between the shafts are due to random causes. This indicates the stability and controllability of the technological process. The histogram allowed for the estimation of the probability of repairable defects at less than 0.5%, and irreparable defects (scrap) at 0%. The calculated reproducibility index of 1.66 shows that the technological process complies with the requirements. The quality of the machine settings for machining the bearing journals complies with the requirements. The study has confirmed a hypothesis regarding maintaining the machining quality through the regular application of statistical control methods.

Contamination of an air filter used in the diesel engine critically compromises its power and fuel efficiency, simultaneously degrading operator working conditions and environmental safety. This research aimed to develop a device for real-time monitoring of the technical condition of air filtration systems and the diagnostic parameters of the internal combustion engine (ICE). Built upon an ATmega2560 microcontroller, the experimental device integrates an XGZP6847A vacuum sensor in the ICE intake manifold, a QDW90A crankcase gas pressure sensor, a TENSTAR ROBOT E18-D80NK crankshaft speed sensor, a TZT MAX6675 exhaust gas temperature sensor, an ICE coolant temperature sensor, and a DS18B20 ambient air temperature sensor. The authors developed a software product to process data acquired from these sensors, related to the air system’s status, and display the processed and analyzed results on the device screen. The microcontroller-based software algorithm boasts an execution speed of no more than 0.05 seconds. The developed prototype facilitates immediate operational assessment of the current state of the air filtration system and enables comprehensive evaluation of the overall operational performance of the diesel engine. The device display provides clear indications during ICE monitoring, including: clean filter; permissible contamination; critical contamination; emergency condition; air filtration system depressurization; and low ICE power. Crucially, this device will serve as a foundational data source for an intelligent system of assessing technical condition by leveraging neural networks, thereby enabling optimized operation and maintenance scheduling.

Voltage deviations from nominal values significantly degrade the performance and operational reliability of electrical equipment in agricultural power systems. Current voltage deviation calculations, often relying solely on the approximate longitudinal component of voltage drop, are frequently imprecise. This research aimed to precisely assess the influence of power line wire and variable load parameters on system operation, and to establish a robust method for determining permissible voltage deviation (or voltage loss) by integrating the characteristics of the power source, the transmission line, and the load. The study employed fundamental AC linear circuit calculations on a simulated system: a 10/0.4 kV transformer supplying a symmetrical load via a three-phase line with a solidly grounded neutral. The authors established that load and power line parameters directly influence total system impedance. This impedance, inversely proportional to the system current, subsequently dictates critical operational parameters such as voltage loss and supply voltage deviation. Consequently, they propose a method to determine supply voltage deviation based on the normative voltage loss in the power line wires. This approach utilizes the voltampere characteristic of a low-voltage AC source, integrating the total impedance and power factor of both the power line and the load, specifically when the power factor of the load matches that of the power line (cosφ_н = cosφ_л).

Static electric power converters (SPEs) are widely used in the power supply systems of agricultural facilities. However, their nonlinear semiconductor power devices generate significant electromagnetic interference (EMI) during switching. This EMI propagates through power and control circuits, potentially disrupting microprocessor-based control and protection systems, degrading connected electrical devices, and even affecting the SPEs themselves. Current understanding of EMI causes is insufficiently systematized, and existing complex calculation methods hinder the design of energy-efficient EMI reduction solutions. The study aimed to analyze the causes of EMI and propose innovative methods and structural-circuit solutions for SPEs with reduced interference levels. The study systematized EMI causes into three groups based on disturbances originating from electric power sources, power circuits, and converter control systems. The authors introduced a simplified method for calculating EMI voltage levels, based on equivalent circuit analysis of interference sources. Furthermore, the research explored various effective EMI reduction techniques and proposed structural-circuit solutions for SPEs that implement them. These solutions include utilizing transformers with a midpoint and a rotating magnetic field, which effectively reduces the number of power semiconductor devices – the primary sources of interference. The findings will enhance the efficiency of preliminary design work for developing SPEs with significantly reduced electromagnetic interference.

Precise control of microclimate parameters within phytotrons, particularly temperature, is crucial for highquality agricultural engineering research. Optimizing temperature distribution under diverse phytotron operating conditions necessitates further investigation. This study focuses on a novel phytotron design featuring separate heating of plants and their root systems by partitioning the air volume into distinct plant growth and soil heating chambers. The study aimed to derive equations describing air temperature distribution within the phytotron, considering convective heat exchange in both the plant growth and soil heating zones. Among candidate modeling techniques, the method of separation of variables was selected for its suitability. An analytical approach, based on solving convective heat transfer equations derived from the Navier-Stokes equations, was employed to mathematically model the temperature field within the phytotron chambers. The theoretical analysis resulted in the development of mathematical models predicting temperature fields in the phytotron chambers with a maximum deviation of less than 5% from the average temperature. This level of accuracy is deemed sufficient for precise microclimate control. These mathematical models will be subsequently validated through computer simulations and field testing on an experimental phytotron, taking into account agricultural technology requirements. The resulting calculation results can be applied to the design of automatic control systems for heating elements and ventilation within phytotrons of varying sizes.

The lack of a balance between fundamental academic knowledge and the practical requirements of the modern labor market urges the modernization of agricultural education. The research carried out at Orel State Agrarian University aimed to identify the degree of employers’ satisfaction with the training quality of graduates, as well as to determine the key competencies necessary for successful job applicants. The authors interviewed 112 representatives of the agro-industrial sector and analyzed the documents of the Ministry of Agriculture, professional standards in the agro-industrial sector, Federal State Educational Standards for higher education in agricultural areas, monitoring data on graduate employment, internship reports, and the accreditation results. The results showed that the main forms of cooperation between the university and employers are the organization of production practices and internships (96.3%), business participation in the development of training courses and teaching (21.3% and 24.4%, respectively). Employers identified the key competencies required by graduates: professional competence (75.56%), teamwork ability (66.67%), computer literacy (51.11%), readiness for further education (53.33%) and the ability to analyze new information (60.00%). Based on the data obtained, the authors have proposed recommendations for improving training curricula, including increasing practical hours, attracting practical teachers and actively involving employers in the development of training courses. The study confirms that the close cooperation of universities with business improves the quality of graduate training, their competitiveness in the labor market and employer satisfaction. The implementation of the proposed measures will make it possible to train specialists capable of solving modern problems of the agricultural sector and sustainably developing the industry.