A potable spectrophotometer was used to predict 24 soil parameters based on fresh soil sample spectra collected in a sloped citrus field. One hundred soil samples were collected randomly from the field for a training set (75 samples) and a test set (25 samples). The partial least squares regression (PLSR) analysis was used to develop regression models. Evaluation was conducted based on the values of the coefficient of determination (R²) and the residue prediction deviation (RPD). The results showed that 13 soil parameters were predicted with R²>0.5 and RPD>1.4. Soil parameter maps and yield maps were developed with height change in the sloped field based on the location information collected by a real-time kinematic GPS (RTK-GPS) system.

To assess the utility of the direct broadcast sowing with a fertilizer spreader of rice in dried paddy fields, we determined the extent of the damage to rice seeds discharged through the spreading section, the accuracy of the application rate, and the distribution of rice seeds in the field. The extent of the damage to rice seeds was small. The accuracy of the application rate was improved at a width of 8 m. The quantity of rice seeds in the field increased with increases in the traveling speed of the spreader, but it was not notably larger than that observed at the set application rate. The combination of tillage and compaction was evaluated from the point of view of establishment.

We measured the sample temperature, L-ascorbic acid, color, and moisture content of a cabbage sample during far-infrared drying under certain drying conditions (variation in number of radiation panels and installation position). The L-ascorbic acid was evaluated based on the accumulated temperature. In addition, the energy consumption during drying was measured and the effects of the far-infrared drying condition on several quality parameters of the cabbage sample and energy consumption were discussed. A high value of L-ascorbic acid residual ratio was observed at the high temperature-short drying time condition. However, the low temperature-long drying time condition was found to be suitable for retaining good color of the sample and decreasing the energy consumption during drying.