Distribution of tractor available workdays over the southeastern Anatolia project (GAP) area

Determination of available workdays of a tractor for field operations is very significant in design, development, and selection of efficient machinery systems for agricultural operations. Available workdays vary and generally based on average daily temperature and amount of precipitation. In this study, an excel program was developed to determine the available workdays of a tractor in field operations. Available workdays of a tractor over the Southeastern Anatolia Project (Turkish: Guneydogu Anadolu Projesi, GAP) region, opened for irrigation in 1995, were calculated with this software by using the meteorological data of the region. Results indicated significant changes in available workdays from east-to-west and north-to-south. Considering the 15 days period, maximum number of work days corresponds only 33% of the total period in April.Determination of available workdays of a tractor for field operations is very significant in design,development, and selection of efficient machinery systems for agricultural operations. Availableworkdays vary and generally based on average daily temperature and amount of precipitation. In thisstudy, an excel program was developed to determine the available workdays of a tractor in fieldoperations. Available workdays of a tractor over the Southeastern Anatolia Project (Turkish:Güneydoğu Anadolu Projesi, GAP) region, opened for irrigation in 1995, were calculated with thissoftware by using the meteorological data of the region. Results indicated significant changes inavailable workdays from east-to-west and north-to-south. Considering the 15 days period, maximumnumber of work days corresponds only 33% of the total period in April

Interface studies between epoxy and recycled rubber

This work covers studies on interfaces between epoxy and recycled rubber used as toughening phase in epoxy resins. Different surface modification techniques were used to improve the compatibility at the interface between the rubber particles and the epoxy matrix. Silane coupling agents, plasma surface modification and acrylic acid/benzoylperoxide were used to enhance the surface properties of rubber particles. Rubber parts of grinded scrap car tyres with a size range of 355-500 mum after surface treatment were mixed with epoxy. This mixture was poured into molds to obtain fracture toughness test specimens. After curing, plain strain fracture toughness tests were performed and the fractured surfaces of the specimens were examined under scanning electron microscope. Fractographic studies indicated that the increase in fracture toughness values were due to the improved interface Leading to crack deflection as the main rubber toughening mechanism. Secondary rubber toughening mechanisms observed were shear deformations and some debonding initiated at the interface

A fractographic study on toughening of epoxy resin using ground tyre rubber

This study is a fractographic examination of epoxy resin modified with scrap car tyre regrinds used as toughening phase. Five different surface treatment techniques, used to improve the compatibility at the interface between the rubber particles and the epoxy matrix, were: oxygen plasma, two silane coupling agents, acrylic acid and acrylic acid/benzoylperoxide mixture. Rubber parts of ground scrap car tyres with a size range of 355-500 mum after surface treatment were mixed with epoxy. This mixture was poured into molds to obtain fracture toughness test specimens. After curing, plane strain fracture toughness tests were performed and the fractured surfaces of the specimens were examined under the scanning electron microscope. Fractographic studies indicated that the increase in fracture toughness values were due to the improved interface leading to crack deflection as the main rubber toughening mechanism. Secondary rubber toughening mechanisms observed were shear deformation and some debonding initiated at the interface. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved

Energy use pattern and cost analysis of cotton agriculture: A case study for Sanliurfa, Turkey

This survey was conducted to determine the energy use pattern and economic analysis of cotton farming in the Southeastern Anatolia Project (SEAP) areas in Turkey. Data were obtained through a questionnaire sent to 40 cotton producers from the different villages of Sanliurfa, Turkey which is the most important cotton province of the SEAR Basic operational data were measured by using a computer-based data acquisition system. Total energy input, total energy output, output/input ratio and net energy ratio were 37.910, 95.800, 2.52 and 1.532 MJ ha(-1), respectively. The highest contribution to the total energy consumption came from fuel and oil energy input at 10.417 MJ ha(-1). However, the lowest contribution to total energy consumption came from bund making at 99,6 MJ ha(-1)

A Survey on The Determination of Statues of Mechanization of Pistachio Farming And Its Problems in Turkey

In Turkey, despite the fact that history of the pistachio nut has a great economic importance, especially in the GAP region, and extends to a long way back; the amount of production has not been achieved at the expected rate. Average yield per pistachio tree is 2 kg and the average pistachio production is 46,500 tons, currently. Because, in this region, the pistachio nut is grown under dry climate conditions and in barren soil. Additionally, pistachio growers are not trained well enough about mechanization. This research was conducted to determine mechanization possibilities of pistachio and the post harvest handlings. I t consisted of two parts, first the compilation of survey results which were obtained from farmers dealing with pistachio and the second part includes the results of post harvest processing of pistachio. For this reasion, pistachio nut growing practices, general farm, soil cultivation, pest controls, fertilization, prunning, harvesting, drying, dehulling and storing methods have been examined.</p

Determination of accuracy level of agricultural spraying application in Sanliurfa/Turkey

When calibration, spraying height, applied pressure, volume rate, nozzle type and application time of equipment used in pesticide applications are incorrect, this causes the amount of agricultural pesticide applied per unit area to be more or less needed. A survey study was carried out on farmers in order to determine whether or not they adjust application pressure of pesticide equipment, nozzle type, volume rate, spraying height and calibration of spraying equipment needed for pesticide application to have values, and also whether or not they carry out agricultural pesticide application in accurate weather conditions such as wind speed, air temperature, relative humidity, temperature and application time. This research was conducted in 2008 by randomly determining 110 agricultural organizations located in villages in the center of Sanliurfa/Turkey and its districts. Survey study was carried out by taking data from pesticide applications processes made on products such as cotton, wheat, barley, lentils and corn which have been intensely produced in the region. It was determined that in general, farmers operated field sprayer at very high pressures in agricultural pesticide application and they did not adjust travel speed of boom sprayer based on the calibration of pesticide application equipment. Moreover, based on data obtained from survey studies, application operators and farmers did not know values of wind speed, temperature and relative humidity required for agricultural pesticide applications.When calibration, spraying height, applied pressure, volume rate, nozzle type and application time ofequipment used in pesticide applications are incorrect, this causes the amount of agricultural pesticideapplied per unit area to be more or less needed. A survey study was carried out on farmers in order todetermine whether or not they adjust application pressure of pesticide equipment, nozzle type, volumerate, spraying height and calibration of spraying equipment needed for pesticide application to havevalues, and also whether or not they carry out agricultural pesticide application in accurate weatherconditions such as wind speed, air temperature, relative humidity, temperature and application time.This research was conducted in 2008 by randomly determining 110 agricultural organizations located invillages in the center of Sanliurfa/Turkey and its districts. Survey study was carried out by taking datafrom pesticide applications processes made on products such as cotton, wheat, barley, lentils and cornwhich have been intensely produced in the region. It was determined that in general, farmers operatedfield sprayer at very high pressures in agricultural pesticide application and they did not adjust travelspeed of boom sprayer based on the calibration of pesticide application equipment. Moreover, basedon data obtained from survey studies, application operators and farmers did not know values of windspeed, temperature and relative humidity required for agricultural pesticide applications

Calibration of time domain reflectometry (TDR) on the basis of torf sand and its optimisation for irrigation automations

In this study, requirement calibrations performed for irrigation automation at the agricultural irrigation, particularly by means of taking as a base the torf sand, from the greenhouse, garden and flowerpot soil, were carried out. In order to make the TDR (time domain reflectometry) device suitable for watering automation, the water pump was automatically used to perform drip irrigation according to the humidity values provided via integrated adjusted resistances and the relay system to the device. Compatibility was determined between the values obtained from automation. As a result, TDR humidity sensors, used for soil water content measurement, are both easier and cheaper than other systems. It has been seen that this examined system can be applied for different types of soils too

Studies on epoxy modified with recycled rubber

This work covers studies on systems with car tire regrind used as the toughening phase in epoxy resins. Different surface modification techniques were used to improve the compatibility at the interface between the rubber particles and the epoxy matrix Silane coupling agents, plasma surface modification and acrylic acid/benzoylperoxide were used to enhance the surface properties of rubber particles. Rubber parts of ground used car tires, with or without surface treatment, were mixed with epoxy. This mixture was poured into molds to obtain mechanical test specimens according to ASTM standards. After curing, mechanical tests were performed and the fractured surfaces of the specimens were examined under Scanning Electron Microscopy. SEM. Throughout the studies, changes in mechanical properties were followed by an increase in the volume percentage of rubber particles and by the effect of different surface treatment processes applied on rubber. A decrease in tensile properties and impact resistance was observed in general as compared to unmodified epoxy. On the other hand, slight increases in fracture toughness values were observed in all surface treated cases