The influence of hot water blanching and microwave blanching on water transpiration rate and quality changes (Brix sugar and L-ascorbic acid contents) in cut cabbage during far-infrared drying and hot air drying was investigated. The results revealed that water transpiration rate was increased in the dried cabbage receiving blanching pre-treatment. This increase was attributable to softening of the samples during hot water blanching, or to inhibiting the reduction of surface area (shrinkage) in the dried samples during hot water blanching and microwave blanching. In contrast to hot water blanching, microwave blanching prevented Brix sugar and L-ascorbic acid content in the dried sample.

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In order to improve the range update rate of Spread Spectrum (SS) sound based range measurements, the insertion of an output time signal in the SS sound is proposed. An experiment was conducted to increase the range update rate to 1/20s, 4 times faster than the conventional method, by inserting an output time signal in the SS sound. Using this insertion method, the range of a static object could be measured out to 50m. The resulting range measurements had a bit error rate of 0%, a range error of 15mm, and a standard deviation error of 2.5mm. These results indicate that the modified SS sound based method can measure range accurately and consistently within a 50m range.

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This paper analyzes the rate of work in robotic harvesting with a head-feeding combine robot. The robot plans a target path for each entire operation, follows the path based on the navigation data from a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receiver and a GPS compass, and unloads the harvested grain into a wagon using machine vision. The system includes a prediction method for the operation time. Experimental results showed that the prediction error was 7.8%. The rate of work was 0.147ha/h in the prediction and 0.136ha/h in fact. To improve the accuracy of the prediction, it is necessary to measure the grain volume within the grain tank with higher precision, which will also improve the rate of work in the entire operation.

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Sprinkler equipment carried on a truck was developed for the application of aerated swine effluent to sugarcane fields. The system consists of a spray hose, hose reel, sprinkle/suction pumps, and engine, which is transported on a four-ton truck with a lorry tank. The system can be operated by one man by the extension of a 50-75 meter hose of 32mm in diameter across the field and controlling the winding system by radio control, so that the workload is reduced. The price and operating costs of the developed sprinkler equipment, including the truck and tank, are cheaper than for application by a conventional septic tank truck, and the working capacity per person is also superior. It is shown that the treated sewage can be substituted for chemical fertilizer in sugarcane cultivation. The production of sugarcane is increased more by the application of the nitrogen-based aerated swine effluent than by the conventional chemical fertilizer. The aerated swine effluent can be applied without any negative effects on sugarcane quality until the start of typhoon season, around August, as the effective duration of the manure is shorter than that of solid chemical fertilizer. This can lengthen the application period for sugarcane cultivation.

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To establish a nondestructive method to measure the sugar content of a growing sugar beet root, we have developed a measurement device. The probe of the device, which emits and receives light, is brought in contact with the root area that is exposed above the soil surface, and the sugar content is estimated from the obtained near-infrared spectrum. To reduce measurement errors caused by the irregular surface shape and the very small size of the exposed root area, a ball lens is fitted on the probe tip and is then brought in contact with the root at the very small area. Our test results indicate that this device can measure the inside of the root up to a depth of 30mm and can reduce measurement errors.

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