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Discrete Element Method Analysis of Soil Penetration Depth Affected by Spreading Speed in Drone-Seeded Rice

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  • Kwon Joong Son

    (Department of Mechanical and Design Engineering, Hongik University, Sejong 30016, Republic of Korea)

Abstract

This research explores, using discrete element method (DEM) simulations, the behavior of rice seed infiltration into soil when it is deployed via unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)-mounted systems. Five distinct sowing strategies were analyzed to evaluate their effectiveness in embedding seeds within paddy soil: gravitational drop, centrifugal spreading, airflow propulsion, pneumatic discharge, and pneumatic shooting. A two-step analysis was performed. Initially, the flight dynamics of rice seeds were modeled, and the influence of air and water drag forces were accounted for. Subsequently, soil penetration was simulated with DEM based on the material properties and contact parameters sourced from the existing literature. The results show that the pneumatic methods effectively penetrated the soil, with pneumatic shooting proving to be the most efficient due to its superior impact momentum. Conversely, the methods that failed to penetrate left seeds on the soil surface. These findings demonstrate the necessity to enhance UAV sowing technology to improve penetration depth while maintaining operational efficiency, and they also offer crucial insights for the progress of UAV applications in agriculture.

Suggested Citation

  • Kwon Joong Son, 2025. "Discrete Element Method Analysis of Soil Penetration Depth Affected by Spreading Speed in Drone-Seeded Rice," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-20, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:15:y:2025:i:4:p:422-:d:1592872
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Yi Zeng & Chaopeng Chen & Wei Quan & Shuangpeng Xie & Fanggang Shi & Zitao Ma & Mingliang Wu, 2023. "Calibration Parameter of Soil Discrete Element Based on Area Difference Method," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-16, March.
    2. Weixing Zhao & Jieming Chou & Jiangnan Li & Yuan Xu & Yuanmeng Li & Yidan Hao, 2022. "Impacts of Extreme Climate Events on Future Rice Yields in Global Major Rice-Producing Regions," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(8), pages 1-12, April.
    3. Anbumozhi, V. & Yamaji, E. & Tabuchi, T., 1998. "Rice crop growth and yield as influenced by changes in ponding water depth, water regime and fertigation level," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 37(3), pages 241-253, September.
    4. Hao Zhou & Tienan Zhou & Xuezhen Wang & Lian Hu & Shengsheng Wang & Xiwen Luo & Jiangtao Ji, 2022. "Determination of Discrete Element Modelling Parameters of a Paddy Soil with a High Moisture Content (>40%)," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 12(12), pages 1-9, November.
    5. Kwon Joong Son, 2023. "Mathematical Modeling of Collisional Heat Generation and Convective Heat Transfer Problem for Single Spherical Body in Oscillating Boundaries," Mathematics, MDPI, vol. 11(22), pages 1-16, November.
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