Development of a prototype nutrient sensing system for livestock slurries

作者:Scotford IM*; Cumby TR; Han L; Richards PA
来源:Journal of Agricultural and Engineering Research, 1998, 69(3): 217-228.
DOI:10.1006/jaer.1997.0246

摘要

The scientific literature has shown good relationships between the nutrient (nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium) status and the physical/chemical properties of both cattle and pig slurries. In particular, the ammoniacal nitrogen and the potassium contents of the slurries correlated with their electrical conductivities. The best indication of the available phosphorus was given by total solids and specific gravity. Based on these findings, a prototype sensing system to measure the physical and chemical properties was designed, built and tested on 41 slurries. The system was able to detect the effect of dilution on any given slurry, and to estimate ammoniacal nitrogen in all slurries and phosphorus in cattle slurries. It established the feasibility of the approach and provided a basis for the development of subsequent versions for installation on slurry tankers.