Abstract. The author proves that organic fertilizers, unlike the mineral ones, are capable of increasing yields over several years; they do not harm the environment and do not pollute the melon crop fields with nitrates. It has been clarified that their introduction is one of the most effective methods of humus conservation and soil fertility enhancement, which means obtaining fuller yields of high-quality melons and gourds. The NIIMESH researchers have developed a combined unit for local application of organic fertilizers for melons and gourds. (Research purpose) Conducting theoretical studies on the substantiation of the configuration of the working tools of a combined unit for local application of organic fertilizers. (Materials and methods) The author has conducted theoretical studies using methods of analytical geometry and theoretical mechanics. (Results and discussion) Analytical dependences have been obtained to determine transverse distances between furrow shapers used for applying organic fertilizers and making an irrigation groove, as well as longitudinal distances between the tractor's rear wheels and the furrow shapers applying organic fertilizers, between the furrow shapers and the fertilizer spreader, and between the fertilizer spreader and the furrow shaper making an irrigation furrow. (Conclusions) It has been determined that transverse distance between the working tools that make furrows for applying organic fertilizers should range between 0.9 and 1.3 metre, transverse distance between the working tools making an irrigation furrow and a furrow for the application of organic fertilizers is 0.45-0.65 metre. The optimal values of longitudinal distances have been found as well: between the tractor's rear wheels and the working tools making furrows for applying fertilizers – no less than 0.21 metre, between the tip of working tools and the fertilizer spreader – no less than 1.5 metre, and between the fertilizer spreader center and the tip of working tools making an irrigation furrow – at least 0.74 metre.

Abstract. The paper presents the description and operating principle of energy-saving mini-grain dryers for drying small grain batches on farms using conductive and convective drying methods and the process of grain cooling with heat obtained from a traditional heat source and a heat carrier prepared with a solar collector or a charged heat storage. (Research purpose) To develop and study a compact energy-saving grain dryer, with a heat supply system based on both a traditional source and a heat transfer fluid heated by a solar collector or a charged heat storage. (Materials and methods) The authors have carried out experimental studies of the drying process of wheat grain to determine the effectiveness of the developed unit for grain drying; the main condition for saving energy has been taken as the minimization of the total unit cost of the evaporation of one kilogram of moisture. (Results and discussion) The authors have conducted a two-factor experiment to determine the main optimal parameters affecting the grain drying process - the speed of grain movement in the conductive chamber and the temperature of the heating surface of its casing based on the calculated mathematical model. In the first variant, the drying process was carried out only by the conductive method using the heat from a traditional energy source. In the second variant, the drying was carried out by successive use of conductive and convective methods, and the grain was cooled using both thermal energy received from a traditional source and solar radiation heat along with the heat of the spent heat carrier. (Conclusions) The study has revealed that the most effective option in terms of saving thermal energy is grain drying with the consistent use of conductive and convective drying methods followed by grain cooling. The heat supply of the drying unit was partially carried out by using the heat of solar radiation and the heat obtained from the spent coolant recycling. In this optimal variant, the heat consumption for evaporation of one kilogram of moisture from the grain is minimal and amounts to 1.53-2.50 MJ per kilogram with a grain movement speed of in the dryer of 0.007-0.011 m per second and a heating surface temperature of 85-91 degrees Celsius.

Abstract. The paper discusses the advantages of power-driven tillage tools as compared with machines with passive working elements, which provide for quick changing and controlling of the quality of soil crumbling, guided by the condition of the treated areas and the engine power of the power source used. (Research purpose) To develop a system for automatically maintaining the magnitude of a selected kinematic parameter during the operation of a rotary cultivator equipped with a hydraulic drive of working elements. (Materials and methods) The authors have conducted research involving patented materials on the use of automated process control systems for pre-sowing soil cultivation with tools featuring hydraulic actuators of working elements. (Results and discussion) It has been determined that the frequency comparison blocks may contain pulse shapers that are converted by the electronic control unit into a signal sent to a low-speed, high-torque adjustable motor of a Danfoss MGP-160 type. A system has been developed to automatically maintain the value of a selected kinematic parameter of a rotary cultivator by equipping its working elements with a hydraulic actuator with a two-stage hydraulic distributor controlled by an electronic unit that allows automatic adjustment of the required speed of the rotary drum cutters, optimal for the treated soil background. (Conclusions) The authors have identified a schematic diagram of an automated hydraulic drive of a rotary garden cultivator capable of tracking and adjusting the rotary drum speed.

Abstract. Low-level mechanization is one of the main reasons for the high costs in selection and primary seed production. Crop breeders use transport and loading facilities for seed material transporting in an unsystematic manner. (Research purpose) Development of technology of transport support in selection and seed production, including all transport and loading processes of the delivery of grain seeds from selection combines to storage facilities using containers for seed collection, transportation, drying, and storage. (Materials and methods) The authors have described a container flowtransport technology of selection grain harvesting at the stage of primary reproduction and developed a machine complex technology and a database of harvesting and transport machines for seed collection, transportation, drying, and storage. (Results and discussion) The authors have determined the type of transport and loading means for the container method of seed harvesting, transportation and storage recommended for use in selection and seed production. There are four distinctive novelty positions of the presented type: the ability to transport containers in 2 rows; increased loading height from 2 m to 3 m; maximum operating radius reaches 3.8 m (vs. 2.7 m); increased cargo capacity – by 460 kg. (Conclusions) The authors suggest using the developed methodology to improve the technological process of harvesting, transportation and postharvest processing of seed grain, organize this process, as well as select machine parameters and technical equipment on the farms of the Central region of Russia. It has been suggested that test prototypes of containers and a loader with a container tilter should be designed and manufactured for use in primary crop processing.

Abstract. To ensure the high quality of the materials being dried, one of the most promising ways to dehydrate vegetable raw materials is drying under the action of electromagnetic radiation (microwave drying). Microwave drying is widely used in various industries, in particular, in the food and woodworking industries. (Research purpose) Calculation of the microwave pulse and pause duration; their experimental determination, as well as the determination of the moisture removal rate at the pulse moment and the depth of pulse penetration into the layer. (Materials and methods) When drying in a microwave field, the gradient of moisture content in the material prevents the moisture movement towards the surface, internal cracks can be formed as well. Therefore, the combined methods of drying can yield the best results. The pulse duration has been calculated by the permissible increment of the grain temperature, the pause duration has been determined by assuming that during the pulse, moisture from the caryopsis kernel is pushed out and cooled under isothermal conditions by an air flow. (Results and discussion) It has been confirmed that at a microwave pulse energy duration of 4, 6, and 10 s, the speed of blow-off and blowdown of the layer with external air was 0.5 m per second. When grain is cooled by natural convection, the pulse time is 10 s, the pause time is 1, 2, 3, and 5 min. For the blow-off mode, the pulse exposure time was 6 and 10 s, that of blow-off - 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 minutes. The maximum duration of the microwave pulse was determined by the flow density of allowable grain heating and the fraction of heat required for the evaporation of moisture when heated to 20-25 degrees. (Conclusions) The pause duration is determined by the grain cooling time to the temperature preceding the pulse. It has been experimentally established that the calculated values of the pulse and pause duration with an accuracy of 15 percent for grain with a moisture content of 20-24 percent at a microwave flow density of 0.7 kilowatts per square meter, at a depth of the microwave energy penetration into the grain by 70 percent, do not exceed 20-22 mm, and the moisture removal rate is 0.1-0.15 percent.

Abstract. The sugar beet seed production is currently employing a non-planting-and-transplant technology with the use of steklings. Planting units of the machines available on the market feature a number of drawbacks: low productivity, possible injuring of root crops, and increased labor intensity of operators. (Research purpose) To develop a universal design and parameters of an increased-productivity unit for planting steklings of sugar beet and other root crops. (Materials and methods) The design scheme and type of a planting unit have been chosen according to the requirements of applicability and versatility. Its preferred design parameters have been calculated as well. A prototype machine with a universal planting unit in the form of a cellular disk has been developed and manufactured in test production. (Results and discussion) The conducted field experiments proved the versatility of a planting machine with a disc-type unit used for planting root crops, including dimensional characteristics corresponding to those of steklings. The authors have found that when replacing a disk with a different number of cells of different sizes, the machine is suitable for planting a number of similar crops. A removable disk with 12-16 cells has been installed, with its angular speed decreased to 0.393-1.180 radian per second, which is lower as compared to the existing machines. Satisfactory agrotechnical tolerances have been provided for carrot planting in the soil at a depth of 12 cm, a step of 30 cm, and a deviation from the vertical of 110. The intensity of root crop laying in the cells of a seeding disk has been increased to 1-3 pcs. per second. (Conclusions) It has been found that the machine and the planting unit can increase the working speed up to 1.0 meter per second and reduce the labor intensity of operators to the level of safety requirements. The use of universal machines in the breeding and seed production of root crops will reduce the range of the applied machines and operating costs of farm enterprises.

Abstract. To increase the efficiency of horticulture, the technology of plant cultivation under artificial lighting, i.e. indoor plant lighting, is widely used. The author proposes to expand the range of issues considered in this field and highlight the energy-and-ecology of horticulture (EEH) as a scientific area located at the junction of power engineering and technical subjects, plant physiology, and ecology. (Research purpose) To develop a conceptual framework of the energy-and-ecology of horticulture. (Materials and methods) The object of EEH research is an artificial bioenergetic system of horticulture (ABSH), i.e. a combination of living organisms and technological equipment in a plant growing facility. A mathematical description of the regularities of transferring a substance in horticulture is produced on the basis of a hierarchical model of ABSH. The subject of the EEH study is the regularities of the transformation of matter and energy flows in ABSH. (Results and discussion) The author has determined some specific indicators of energy-ecological compatibility and obtained an expression for determining the energy-ecological coefficient of horticulture through its technological indicators. The paper offers an interpretation of the term "energy-and-ecology of horticulture" as a property of the technological process of plant growing in artificial conditions to meet the requirements of energy efficiency and environmental friendliness. It is shown that an approach based on the concept of best available technologies (BAT) can be applied to the indoor plant lighting. An expression for the quantitative assessment of the energy-ecological parameter in terms of the proximity of the development trajectories of ABSH in a state-space has been obtained. The author proposes an algorithm for BAT forming to be applied in indoor plant lighting. (Conclusions) For the first time, the author raises a question about the development of structural elements of the BAT formation algorithm in lighting horticulture in terms of energy-ecological indicators as an integrative optimality criterion of the system. The author has developed energy audit techniques to optimize the process of plant growing according to the criterion of minimal deviations of energy-ecological performance by varying the lighting parameters, environmental conditions and other factors. Complex implementation of energy- and ecological technologies of indoor plant lighting will allow increasing the efficiency of the production process, reducing the energy intensity while improving the quality of products and ensuring the environmental friendliness of production.

Abstract. As part of the environmental requirements for reducing the toxicity of exhaust gases of internal combustion engines, including diesel engines of tractor and combine harvesters, great attention is paid to various ways of reducing harmful substances in the exhaust gases combustion products. The problem of using energy-saving resources, including renewable energy, various types of alternative fuels is currently solved. In several ways these include using vegetable oils from various agricultural crops, one of which is peanut oil. Its use can help to solve two urgent problems: reducing the toxicity of exhaust gases of internal combustion engines. (Research objective) To analyze the properties of peanut oil as an additive to diesel fuel and evaluate the performance of a diesel engine using this type of fuel. (Materials and methods) The properties of peanut oil differ from those of diesel fuel by higher viscosity and lower heat value. To compensate for these shortcomings, kerosene has been added to the mixture of diesel fuel with peanut oil. In cold climatic conditions, the use of pure peanut oil is difficult, since its cloud point is 3.3 degrees Celsius, which is 20 degrees higher than that of diesel fuel. In the blend composition, the cloud point of the fuel decreases, which makes it possible to use it in colder conditions. (Results and discussion) The authors have conducted a study on the tractor engine D-120 coupled with a brake balancer installation without additional engine adjustments. As a result, they have obtained the characteristics of the engine working on fuel with the addition of peanut oil. The authors have compared the results of the engine operation on pure and mixed diesel fuel, revealed indicators of operating efficiency and toxicity of exhaust gases. (Conclusions) It has been proved experimentally that the addition of peanut oil to diesel fuel leads to a decrease in the specific effective fuel consumption, and also reduces the emission of soot and nitrogen oxides, while the engine power decreases slightly.