Chenglong Li

The mechanical properties of corn stalks play a crucial role in the design of packing and harvesting equipment. Complete and damaged stalks were used to simulate stalk mixtures during the collection process. This study measured the mechanical characteristics of complete stalks and damaged stalks through experiments. A discrete element method (DEM) model was established which incorporated both the skin and core tissues of the samples. The compression behavior of the stalks was analyzed with the EDEM 2022 software. The results indicate that the complete stalks exhibited both a plastic and second plastic stage, while the damaged stalks fractured immediately upon reaching peak stress. The models of the complete and damaged stalks were validated through a radial compression test. An analysis of the relative errors and particle velocities enabled the quantification of experimental accuracy, ensured the reliability of the experimental data, and revealed the dynamic behavior mechanism of the materials under mechanical loading. The simulation results show that the maximum compression force is 254.11 N and 33.1 N, with a 1.5% and 12.3% relative error compared to the experiment. The particle velocity in the core part is the largest, which is 9.83 × 10⁴ mm/s and 3.51 × 10⁵ mm/s. This study can provide a theoretical reference for researching the mechanical behavior and compressive failure of stalks.

In the field of conservation tillage, no-till seeding technology has emerged as an efficient and environmentally friendly form of agricultural production. It is increasingly recognized as a crucial avenue toward sustainable agricultural development. This study focuses on the research of no-till seeding technology, specifically analyzing the technical characteristics of no-till seeders, their principles of operation, and their application. No-till planters are designed to either minimize or eliminate soil tillage. When paired with precision seeding technology, they can significantly reduce soil erosion, promote soil and water conservation, reduce agricultural production costs, and ensure optimal growing conditions for crops. No-till seeding breakers play a critical role in resolving the stubble-breaking issue that is inherent in no-till seeding technology. The integration of no-till planters with stubble breaker knife technology can substantially improve the adaptability and operational efficiency of no-tillage operations under conservation tillage scenarios. This progress offers indispensable technical backup, which not only aims to ramp up food production levels but also contributes agro-ecological protection of the environment.