2019, Vol. 17, No. 2
Selle kollektsiooni püsiv URIhttp://hdl.handle.net/10492/5393
Sirvi
Sirvi 2019, Vol. 17, No. 2 Märksõna "articles" järgi
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Kirje Assessment of applied microwave power of intermittent microwave-dried carrot powders from Colour and NIRS(2019) Keskin, M.; Soysal, Y.; Sekerli, Y.E.; Arslan, A.; Celiktas, N.Applied microwave (MW) power level is an essential factor on the quality of the dried agricultural products. Even if higher MW powers result in shorter drying times, they lead to quality degradations. It is almost impossible to know the applied MW power of a dried and powdered product by human vision. Thus, the aim of this study was to predict the applied MW power of carrot powders by using two different instruments, a chromameter and FT-NIRS. The experiments were carried out at nine different power levels (100–500 W) with three replications (N = 27). The colour and NIR reflectance was measured using a chromameter and NIRS system. The data was analysed using PLS regression. The drying time of intermittent MW drying at the highest applied power of 500 W was 1.12–5.47 times shorter than those of other lower applied powers. Applied MW power was a crucial factor on all colour parameters of the powdered carrots. Brightness (L*) decreased significantly with the increase of applied MW power resulting in darker product colours. Data analysis results showed that the NIRS system (R2 = 0.99; SEP = 16.1 W) can predict the microwave power of powdered carrots with significantly better performance than a chromameter (R2 = 0.95; SEP = 29.9 W). But, the chromamater is far more inexpensive when compared with the NIRS system and hence, it can also be used to predict the applied MW power from the colour data relatively well. Also, a mathematical model was developed to predict applied MW power from the colour parameters.Kirje Assessment of production zones modelling accuracy based on satellite imaging and yield measurement of selected agriculture plot(2019) Jelínek, Z.; Starý, K.; Kumhálová, J.Currently, remote sensing or yield monitor equipment offer possibilities how to estimate productivity of the agriculture field. That is why the main aim of this study is to assess how the latest satellite images from vegetation season and final yield data from combine harvester can be used to predict yield and to assess site-specific zones productivity. The study is focused on the accuracy of these systems for the field productivity estimation. The 24.7 ha experimental field is located near to Vendoli village (the Czech Republic) and it is cultivated by conventional agricultural practices with emphasis on typical agricultural crops growing in the Czech Republic (winter wheat, spring barley and winter rape). The results showed that both methods of estimation can be used for yield prediction. Nevertheless, each of them need specific processing and has typical limitations.Kirje Comparison of lycopene and β-carotene content in tomatoes determined with chemical and non-destructive methods(2019) Alsina, I.; Dubova, L.; Duma, M.; Erdberga, I.; Avotiņš, A.; Rakutko, S.Tomatoes are one of the most popular vegetables due of their wide use as food. Tomatoes are not only tasty fruit, but one of its benefits - high carotenoids content is well-known. Non-destructive analyses methods are used more and more in different industries. It is cheaper, faster and environmentally friendly way of analyse than traditional chemical methods. But these methods need references to the traditional ones. The aim of this study was to find the correlation between lycopene and β-carotene content in tomatoes determined with reflectance spectrometer and extraction of pigments. Content of two carotenoids (lycopene and β-carotene) was determined in 27 varieties of tomatoes. Red, pink, orange, yellow and brown fruits were included in experiment. Reflectance spectrums of tomatoes fruits were obtained with remote sensing portable spectroradiometer RS-3500 (Ltd.Spectral Evolution). Tetrahydrofuran was used for extraction of pigments. Absorption spectra of extract were obtained by spectrophotometer UV-Vis -1800 (Ltd. Shimadzu). Linear regression analyses were performed to correlate spectral data with lycopene and β-carotene concentrations measured by pigment extraction. The best reflectance region for lycopene spectral detection was 570 ± 5 nm, but for β-carotene 487 ± 5 nm. Reflectance indexes for both pigments were worked out. High linear correlation (R2 > 0.9) between spectral parameters and lycopene concentration was detected. Correlation between results obtained with methods used for β-carotene determination was lower and depended of colour of tomatoes fruits.Kirje The course of drying and colour changes of alfalfa under different drying conditions(2019) Kic, P.One of the conditions for successful livestock breeding and efficient livestock production is to ensure quality feed. High quality feed for livestock is alfalfa, which has a very high nutritional value and its cultivation is also important for crop production in terms of improving the soil structure and nitrogen enrichment. The aim of this paper is to inform about the experimental investigations of alfalfa drying and colour changes under different drying conditions. The results of natural convection at 27.5 °C and 40% relative air humidity are compared with forced convection at 1.2 m s -1 air flow velocity at the same air temperature and with results of drying by natural convection at 50 °C. The dry matter content was measured gravimetrically after drying in a hot air dryer at 105 °C. Higher drying rates shorten the time required for drying and earlier preservation and storage in the hayloft or in the hay bales. This reduces the risk of wetting of feed such by rain and degradation by fungi, etc. A shorter drying time is also important in terms of energy savings. The precise knowledge of the drying process and drying curves allows also to determine the appropriate time for storage and conservation for production of another type of fodder e.g. haylage or silage. The measurement results show a positive effect of higher drying speeds as well as increased air temperature. Higher drying air temperature during convection led to the partial lightening and greater yellowing of the feed.Kirje Discrete element simulation of rapeseed shear test(2019) Kuře, J.; Hájková, L.; Hromasová, M.; Chotěborský, R.; Linda, M.SuiTable equipment are required for storage and transportation of rapeseed which are developed according to rules for bulk matters. It is one of reasons where bulk matter properties are important to the design. Bulk matter properties are important to known as angle of repose, internal friction, external friction, adhesivity force and other bulk properties. Experimental values of bulk properties are added to mathematical models. The model should be calibrated with adequate experiment. The shear test is one of popular calibration test for bulk matters so that be able done experiment and numerical model in one. The aim of this paper is simulation of rapeseed bulk properties during shear strain and flow and its evaluation and calibration with experimental tests. RockyDEM software was used for numerical simulation of rapeseed. Shear test, angle of repose, static and dynamic friction test were used to calibration of the numerical rapeseed model. Sensitivity of numerical model is discussed on the bulk properties.Kirje Effect of environmental temperature during the of brooding period on growing period of pullets viscera and tibia(2019) Cândido, M.G.L.; Tinôco, I.F.F.; Barbari, M.; Freitas, L.C.S.R.; Dos Santos, T.C.; Andrade, R.R.; Gates, R.S.; Conti, L.; Rossi, G.Poultry production in subtropical and tropical regions faces many problems, one of which is the high air temperature causing thermal stress, particularly dangerous in high-producing birds. Thus, the negative effects caused by heat stress (HS) must be managed. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of four different levels of HS in viscera and tibia of pullets. A total of 648 chicks (Lohmann LSL Lite) were used in this study in two different phases. The pre-experimental phase (PEP) was from day 1 through 6 weeks of age. The birds were reared with three different environmental temperatures: thermal comfort, hot and cold. The experimental phase (EP) was conducted from the 7th to the 17th week. Pullets from each thermal environment of the PEP were submitted to: 20 °C, 25 °C, 30 °C, 35 °C. At the end of the 17th week of age 120 pullets were euthanatized and the organs, heart, liver, spleen and gizzard were weighed, as also their tibias. Effects of PEP, and its interaction with EP, were not significant (P < 0.05) for viscera and tibia weight. However, a significant increase (P < 0.05) in heart weight with the decrease of the environmental temperature was observed, being the pullets subject to 20ºC and 25 °C with the heaviest weights. For the liver, pullets subject to the 35 °C had the lowest weight and were different (P < 0.05) from the other three treatments. For gizzard, the difference (P < 0.05) was between the treatments 20ºC and 35 °C. These results indicate that brooding temperatures tested during the first 6 weeks of life did not affect the viscera and bone weight during the growing phase.Kirje The effect of Minituber Weight on their Field Performance under a Northern European environment(2019) Dimante, I.; Mežaka, I.; Gaile, Z.Weight of potato minitubers as well cultivar affects field performance of minitubers. The aim of this study was to compare minitubers of four weight classes (MtC) (3 to 4.99 g, 5 to 9.99 g, 10 to 19.99 g, and > 20 g) with respect to their field performance. Three year experiments were conducted at AREI, Latvia (57°19′ N, 25°20′ E) between 2014 and 2016. Cultivars ‘Monta’, ‘Prelma’ and ‘Mandaga’ were used. A significant relationship between the number of stems and the number of progeny tubers per plant was detected and the number of stems explained 74% of variation in progeny tuber number. Multiplication rate, expressed as the number of progeny tubers > 25 mm per planted minituber, was in range from 4.2 to 13.1 tubers and was significantly affected by the cultivar and MtC. Cultivar and MtC had significant effect on the number of tubers and tuber yield per m2 . The number of progeny tubers and yield increased with increases for MtC. The highest number of progeny tubers (size > 25 mm) per m2 were obtained from minitubers > 20 g of ‘Prelma’ (93.4), but the highest yield was from minitubers > 20 g of ‘Mandaga’ (4.92 kg m-2 ). The effect of MtC was more pronounced on number of tubers than on tuber yield. Cultivar and MtC determined mean size (diameter (μ)) of progeny tubers. Mean size increased as MtC decreased. MtC had a significant effect on standard deviation (σ) only for ‘Prelma’. When σ was recalculated to coefficient of variation (CV), no significant effect of MtC remained.Kirje Effect of nitrogen rate and forecrop on nitrogen use efficiency in winter wheat (Triticum aestivum)(2019) Litke, L.; Gaile, Z.; Ruža, A.Application of plant nutrient is one of the most important measures increasing grain yield and yield quality. Excessive application of nitrogen fertilizers leads to nitrogen leaching and it affects the quality of groundwater and surface water. The objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of nitrogen fertilizer rate on nitrogen use efficiency in winter wheat after two forecrops. The experiment was conducted at the Research and Study farm ‘Pēterlauki’ of Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies (56° 30.658’ N and 23° 41.580’ E) in four growing seasons: 2014/2015, 2015/2016, 2016/2017 and 2017/2018. Researched factors were crop rotation (wheat/wheat and oilseed rape (Brassica napus ssp. oleifera/wheat) and five nitrogen fertilizer rates (kg ha-1 ): N0 or control, N60, N120(90+30), N180(90+60+30) and N240(120+60+60). Nitrogen fertilizer affected winter wheat grain yield significantly (P < 0.001) and average grain yield increased significantly (P < 0.049) until nitrogen rate N180. But analyzing it after each forecrop separately, yield increased significantly (P < 0.05) until N120 after both forecrops. Nitrogen fertilizer affected nitrogen use efficiency (NUE), nitrogen uptake efficiency (NUpE), nitrogen utilization efficiency (NUtE) and protein content significantly (P < 0.001). When increasing nitrogen fertilizer rate NUE, NUpE and NUtE decreased, and higher results were observed at the lowest nitrogen rates. Increased nitrogen fertilizer rate also increased crude protein content in grain, and for bread baking suitable grain was obtained only with the highest N rate: N 240. Forecrop did not affect winter wheat grain yield, however, it affected NUtE (P < 0.01), NUE (P < 0.001) and nitrogen harvesting index (P < 0.001) significantly; higher results were observed when wheat was grown after wheat.Kirje Effect of two housing systems on performance and longevity of dairy cows in Northern Italy(2019) Leso, L.; Pellegrini, P.; Barbari, M.The objective of the current study was to evaluate and compare performance of dairy cows housed in compost-bedded pack barns (CBP) and free stall barns, with a focus on longevityrelated parameters. Study included 30 commercial dairy farms located in the Po Valley, Italy. Twenty farms had free stall barns, among which 10 used rubber mattresses (FSM) and 10 used deep straw bedding (FSS). The remaining 10 farms had CBP. Monthly dairy herd records were obtained from the Italian DHI association for each farm included in the study over a period of one year. All farms were visited to measure characteristics and dimensions of housing facilities. Linear mixed models were used to evaluate the association between housing system and the outcome variables. In CBP total available area was larger than both in FSM and FSS. However, space per cow over the bedded pack area in CBP (6.8 ± 2.4 m2 cow-1 ) was relatively low for this housing system. Milk production was similar among housing systems but somatic cell count and mastitis infection prevalence resulted to be higher in CBP than in FSM and FSS. Calving interval was lower in FSS compared with both FSM and CBP while no differences were found in number of services per pregnancy. Cows housed in CBP were older and had higher parities than those in FSM and FSS while no significant differences in herd turnover rate were detected among housing systems. Results confirm that CBP housing system may improve longevity of dairy cows, which is reported to be one of the most important motivations for building this kind of housing. Nevertheless, CBP housing can pose some challenges in achieving adequate udder health and high milk quality, especially with low space per cow.Kirje The environmental noise level in the rejuvenation pruning on centuries-old olive tree(2019) Abenavoli, L.M.; Zimbalatti, G.; De Rossi, A.; Papandrea, S.; Proto, A.R.In the Italian agricultural economy, olive cultivation plays a fundamental role, and this is especially true for the southern regions where almost all cultivation is spread. In Calabria, in particular, olive cultivation has seen over the last few decades significantly improve the quality of production also as a result of investments aimed at the creation of new mechanizable plants and/or the modernization of existing ones; today some areas have got both PDO and PGI certification. In the ‘Piana di Gioia Tauro’, located north-west of the Reggio Calabria metropolitan area, olive growing extends over 20,000 hectares and the presence of centuries-old olive tree is still widespread. The olive varieties mainly belong to the local cultivars of ‘Sinopolese’ and ‘Ottobratica’, characterized by a remarkable rusticity and high development, perhaps unique in the world; they reach 20–25 meters high, forming what is called a ‘forest of olive trees’. The pruning operations are carried out by means of chainsaws of different power and size whereby, in addition to the previously described difficulties, operators are exposed to prolonged periods of noise levels. The purpose of this study is precisely to assess the exposure of operators to this particular olive grove. The aim is to identify the acoustic levels generated by the two pruning and cross-cutting activities, the risk thresholds and the exposure to which the individual workers of the two work sites are subjected, giving indications on the appropriate safety distances to maintain (according to current regulations) compared to noise sources.Kirje Estonian dairy farms’ technical efficiency and factors predicting it(2019) Luik-Lindsaar, Helis; Põldaru, Reet; Roots, Jüri; Estonian University of Life Sciences. Institute of Economics and Social SciencesMilk production is a complex process whose efficiency depends directly on the inputoutput ratio and indirectly on the decisions made at farm and animal level. Decisions made about farm hygiene, dairy cows’ milk yield, cows’ age at first calving etc. affect farms’ efficiency. The aim of this study is to provide an understanding of the factors that affect dairy farms’ technical efficiency. A two-stage approach was used in this study, consisting of a data envelopment analysis (DEA) in the first stage, and classification and regression tree (CART) in the second stage. DEA determined technical efficiency scores (TE), and CART enabled to detect the main factors that influenced efficiency in dairy farms. The analysis studied at the Estonian national level FADN dataset and Estonian Livestock Performance Recording data. 147 Estonian dairy farms were included in this analysis, all of which are specialized in dairy production. DEA results demonstrated that more than half of the farms (55%) were operating efficiently or rather efficiently (TE ≥ 0.900). CART results revealed that the main variables determining efficiency are milk yield per cow's lifetime (kg day-1 ), feed costs (€ kg milk-1 ), and somatic cell count (SCC; 103 ml-1 ). Milk yield per cow's lifetime is a complicated factor as it is influenced by a lot of components (e.g. milk yield, number of lactations, age at first calving, and calving interval), but if it is known at farm level, it is also a useful variable for predicting efficiency. Feed costs per milk kg is an economic variable, i.e. lower costs are related with higher efficiency. Better hygiene (lower SCC) is also related with higher efficiency. The analysis showed that integrating farm accounts data, herd-level genetic information, and milk quality attributes enables to use more specific factors to explain the variation of TE between dairy farms.Kirje Evaluating the effects of application modes and soil types on the herbicide efficacy and crop yield of pendimethalin and clomazone on transplanted pepper (Capsicum annuum L.)(2019) Glatkova, G.; Pacanoski, Z.Field experiment was carried out in 2014 and 2015 in two locations Kochani and Drachevo in Republic of Macedonia to evaluate the efficacy and crop safety of pendimethalin and clomazone on transplanted pepper according to mode of application, (pretransplant -PRE-T and pretransplant incorporated -PTI) and soil types (alluvial soil and vertisol). The weed population in both years and locations mainly consisted annual spring and summer grasses and broadleaf weeds. Weed competition significantly reduced pepper yield. There was no recorded difference between the efficacy of pendimethalin PRE-T and pendimethalin PTI. However, the efficacy of clomazone PTI was higher than that of clomazone PRE-T in both experimental years and locations, indicating incorporation into soil if critical for clamazone. Both pendimethalin and clomazone had low efficacy on Solanum nigrum L. Pepper plants were not visibly injured by any herbicides treatments. In summary, locations and soil types did not affect herbicide efficacy and pepper selectivity. Pepper yield was markedly affected by herbicide efficacy in both years and locations.Kirje An experimental investigation of performance levels in a new root crown cleaner(2019) Bulgakov, V.; Pascuzzi, S.; Arak, Margus; Santoro, F.; Anifantis, A.S.; Ihnatiev, Y.; Olt, Jüri; Estonian University of Life Sciences. Institute of TechnologyFor the purposes of carrying out field experiments using the vertical-type cleaner with its elastic cleaning blades to remove haulm residues from the crowns of standing roots, the programme for this process and the technique behind it have both been developed by basing the process on the measurement of the volume of haulm residues that are left on the root crowns after they have been cleaned by a cleaning tool that operates at pre-set values in terms of its translational velocity, its height above the soil surface, and its rate of revolution. In addition, the cleaner’s energy-and-force performance has also been determined. In this process, the new laboratory and the field experimental unit have been put together. The unit comprises a rearmounted root crown cleaner of the rotary type with a vertical axis of rotation. During the field experiments, the general-purpose tractor which carries it moves at a pre-set velocity as registered by the track measuring wheel; the general height of the cleaning tool’s position is set within the specified range by the use of two pneumatic feeler wheels that are equipped with adjustment mechanisms. The results of the completed investigations have been statistically processed with the use of the regression analysis and correlation analysis methods. On the basis of the developed multiple-factor experiment technique, empirical mathematical models have been generated in the form of regression equations for the process of cleaning the crown’s of sugar beet roots. In accordance with the results of the calculations, it has been established that the translational velocity of the implement has the greatest level of impact on the volume of haulm residue that remains on the spherical surfaces of root crowns after cleaning. The rate of rotation for the vertical cleaning rotor and its height above the soil surface which are controlled by the two pneumatic feeler wheels have a lesser effect on the process under consideration.Kirje Formation of photosynthetic and grain yield of spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) depend on varietal characteristics and plant growth regulators(2019) Panfilova, A.; Korkhova, M.; Gamayunova, V.; Fedorchuk, M.; Drobitko, A.; Nikonchuk, N.; Kovalenko, O.The aim of the study was to determine the efficiency of the barley treatment crops with modern retrograde preparations on the background of the mineral fertilizers introduction into the photosynthetic activity of crops and grain yield. The experiments were carried out in 2013 -2017 on the southern black soil in the conditions of the Ukrainian Steppe. On the basis of the study results, it was determined that the introduction of irrigated fertilizer barley in a dose of N30P30 (background) under pre-sowing cultivation and the application of extra-root crop supplements at the phases beginning of the barley outflow straw into the tube and the organoleptic fermentation of Organic D2 and natural microbial complex Escort - Bio creates favorable conditions for the formation at the optimal levels of photosynthetic parameters and grain yield. Thus, on average, over the years of research and by factor variety, grain yield on these experimental variants was 3.37–3.41 t ha-1 , which exceeded its level on uncontrolled control by 0.71–0.75 t ha-1 or 26.7–28.2%. Based on the study results, the use of modern regenerating agents against the background of mineral fertilizers can be recommended as an expedient and effective measure of spring barley raising the productivity.Kirje Measurements of wireless detectors used to monitor animal movements in livestock farms(2019) Hart, J.; Hartová, V.At present, there is a great interest in monitoring and automating farm animals and livestock farming. There are many systems and methods to check the movement of animals in certain areas. One option is to use motion detectors. However, some installations are so specific that they require the use of wireless motion detectors. They not only have to fulfill their functional part but also have a sufficiently strong signal that should not interfere outside the defined ISM bands. Due to the frequent deployment of different types of these detectors, research has been carried out to monitor shortcomings in frequently used types of wireless detectors. This research defines which tested detectors are fully usable according to the standards and which need to be modified by the manufacturer. Also, based on measurements, the basic risks and recommendations for the use of individual types of tested detectors are defined.Kirje Methodology of the stress detemination in the tool module during the work of the agriculture machine(2019) Kešner, A.; Chotěborský, R.; Linda, M.; Hromasová, M.Machine construction is designed using by mathematical models. The frame is a fundamental part of an agricultural soil cultivation machine so that forces were transfered during transport and machine work to frame. The stress in the machine frame is important to know for the best frame design of the machine. The mathematical model included measued strain can able to design or detect deficiencies on the machine frame. Due to the transfer of forces from the tools, stress is created in the machine frame. High requirements are placed on the determination of boundary conditions for mathematical models in agricultural machinery. Various types, sizes and equipment of agricultural tools significantly affect the transfer of draught force to the machine. The direction and magnitude of the forces, that are caused by agricultural tools, it is important to find out. Ansys mechanical solver have been used to determination strain like response of frame from chisel module. The results can be used as a boundary condition for mathematical models.Kirje Model for ammonia emissions’ assessment and comparison of various dairy cattle farming systems and technologies(2019) Aboltins, A.; Melece, L.; Priekulis, J.A dairy cattle farming is an important source of ammonia emissions, particularly in Latvia. Models using a wide range in level of detail have been developed to represent or predict these emissions. Besides, models are useful for improving the understanding of various farm processes and their interacting effects on ammonia emissions. The model for ammonia emissions’ assessing or representing, predicting and comparing for manure management chain of dairy cattle was created. The model provides a tool for evaluating mitigation and management strategies, abatement measures and techniques to reduce of ammonia emissions and improve the sustainability of dairy production systems both on the dairy farm and at the national level. It could be used as a supplement tool for officials and experts. The model estimates those ammonia abatement measures and techniques that have the highest emission reduction potential and opportunities for implementation on Latvia’s dairy farms. The simulation model assesses the ammonia emissions into each stage of the farming: animal housing, manure management - manure handling and storage, and manure application. An important stage in reducing ammonia emissions is manure storage. It should be noted that the main task of the model was to compare the impact of the ammonia emission reduction options. When entering the number of animals, the average nitrogen quantity per animal, the percentage distribution of manure quantities, the first three levels of the program can be used to estimate the amount of nitrogen to be incorporated into the soil and, as the difference; and the amount of ammonia emissions.Kirje Modeling the functional role of the microorganisms in the daily exchanges of carbon and nitrogen in intercropping system under Mediterranean conditions(2019) Latati, M.; Rebouh, N.Y.; Aouiche, A.; Laouar, M.Carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) sequestration in plants and soil micro-organisms is considered as a major phenomenon against global warming. The modeling of this phenomenon aims at highlighting the role that the legumes-cereals mixed crop can play in the reduction of greenhouse gases. It is based on field experiments in maize (Zea mays L.)-common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) intercropped system of the cereal agroecosystem in Setif region of Algeria. For this purpose, the MOMOS model was selected and validated in a calcareous soil and low phosphorus (P) conditions. It revealed some mechanisms that control the C and N sequestration in the compartments of the complex soil-plant-atmosphere-microorganism system. CN modeling results show that the daily growth of intercropped maize with common beans is positively correlated with the microbial CN transformation during the cropping cycle, under limited P and N conditions. Thus, this approach revealed the functional role of rhizobial symbiosis in maintaining the balance between the different C and N exchanges from soil to atmosphere and from atmosphere to soil.Kirje Modular sensory hardware and data processing solution for implementation of the precision beekeeping(2019) Komasilovs, V.; Zacepins, A.; Kviesis, A.; Fiedler, S.; Kirchner, S.For successful implementation of the Precision Apiculture (Precision Beekeeping) approach, immense amount of bee colony data collection and processing using various hardware and software solutions is needed. This paper presents standalone wireless hardware system for bee colony main parameters monitoring (temperature, weight and sound). Monitoring system is based on Raspberry Pi 3 computer with connected sensors. Power supply is granted by the solar panel for reliable operation in places without constant source for power. For convenient data management cloud based data warehouse (DW) is proposed and developed for ease data storage and analysis. Proposed data warehouse is scalable and extendable and can be used for variety of other ready hardware solutions, using variety of data-in/data-out interfaces. The core of the data warehouse is designed to provide data processing flexibility and versatility, whereas data flow within the core is organized between data vaults in a controllable and reliable way. Our paper presents an approach for linking together hardware for bee colony real-time monitoring with cloud software for data processing and visualisation. Integrating specific algorithms and models to the system will help the beekeepers to remotely identify different states of their colonies, like swarming, brood rearing, death of the colony etc. and inform the beekeepers to make appropriate decisions/actions. This research work is carried out within the SAMS project, which is funded by the European Union within the H2020-ICT-39-2016-2017 call. To find out more visit the project website https://sams-project.eu/.Kirje Principal components in the study of soil and plant properties in precision coffee farming(2019) Ferraz, G.A.S.; Ferraz, P.F.P.; Martins, F.B.; Silva, F.M.; Damasceno, F.A.; Barbari, M.In this work, a principal component analysis was performed to evaluate the possibility of discarding obsolete soil and plant variables in a coffee field to eliminate redundant and difficult-to-measure information in precision coffee farming. This work was conducted at Brejão Farm in Três Pontas, Minas Gerais, Brazil, in a coffee field planted with 22 ha of Topázio cultivar. The evaluated variables were the yield, plant height, crown diameter, fruit maturation index, degree of fruit maturation, leafing, soil pH, available phosphorus (P), remaining phosphorus (Prem), available potassium (K), exchangeable calcium (Ca2+), exchangeable magnesium (Mg2+), exchangeable acidity (Al3+), potential acidity (H + Al), aluminium saturation (N(Al)), potential CEC (CECp), actual CEC (CECa), sum of bases (SB), base saturation (BS) and organic matter (OM). The data were evaluated by a principal component analysis, which generated 20 components. Of these, 7 representing 88.98% of the data variation were chosen. The variables were discarded based on the preservation of the variables with the greatest coefficients in absolute values corresponding to the first component, followed by the variable with the second highest absolute value corresponding to the second principal component. Based on the results, the variables V, OM, fruit maturity index, plant height, yield, leafing and P were selected. The other variables were discarded.