Design and manufacturing of an injection system for the application of liquid fertilizers and the assessment of its efficiency

Liquid manure is a rich source of nutrients for crops, but when applied by traditional methods (floating spread) causes loss of important nutrient such as nitrogen by evaporation and leaching simultaneously causes environmental and groundwater pollution. In this study, a liquid manure applicator for the sustainable agricultural system was designed, manufactured and its effectiveness was measured. The prototype injection wheel consists of a prototype liquid distributor wheel that injects the liquid subsurface at certain amounts and intervals without cultivating the soil. Since the liquid manure is injected subsurface, so does not remain on the soil surface, does not need to be mixed, and alternative to other methods in terms of nitrogen loss and availability to the plant. The design, manufacturing, assembly and functionality trials of the prototype injection wheel were carried out in laboratory conditions, and the trials to determine efficiency and nitrogen loss were carried out in the soil channel. Functionality trials were carried out in six replicates each, using water and liquid fertilizer at four different system pressures and three different forward speed, and efficiency and ammonia loss trials were conducted in four replicates using by liquid manure as material. Wind tunnel system was used to determine ammonia loss. Ammonia loss experiments were carried out in four replicates, using 500 kpa system pressure and 2 km h-1 forward velocity, at soil depths of 50 mm and 100 mm, based on the 85 kg ha-1 of total N norm. The statistical analysis was carried out on ammonia emissions across different application methods. In this study, 4000 and 20000 liters of liquid fertilizer per hectare were successfully injected depending on the system pressure and forward speed. The statistical analysis was carried out on ammonia emissions across different application methods. Peak ammonia flux within the treatment area, particularly in the initial hours following the application was observed The surface application method was recorded 12 kg NH3-N ha-1 d-1 within the first three hours. The analysis revealed a notably high correlation coefficient, suggesting a strong relationship between the experimental emissions and the application technique used. The machine demonstrated its performance by successfully injecting liquid manure into the soil and preventing nitrogen losses since the fertilizer had minimal contact with the air.