Analysis of the Effect of Bivariate Fertilizer Discharger Control Sequence on Fertilizer Discharge Performance
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report (New Reviewer)
Based on the original speed of groove wheel control method, this manuscript presents a bivariate variable control method of speed and working length, which are driven by screw system and motor drive respectively. The study provides support for the application of intelligent fertilizer.
For the content of the manuscript, the reviewer has the following suggestions for the author 's reference.
1. line 142-143.
“the adjustment range of fertilizer wheel opening is set from 15 to 55 mm, and the adjustment range of fertilizer wheel speed is 10 145 to 60 r /min”. The value range of parameters should be based on the actual fertilizer requirements. For example, corn 80kg / mu, wheat 60kg / mu.
2. Line 146-147
In the fertilizer discharge calibration test, the amount of fertilizer was measured for 1 minute each time. The author needs to measure the amount of fertilizer at least 5 minutes, the ratio of weight and time as the fertilizer amount per unit time, this method can improve the data accuracy. Otherwise, the fertilizer amount is written as “The fertilizer discharge volume (line 146, 149, 155)” and “the fertilization amount (line 138)” and “the fertilizer application amount (line 124)”.
3. line 147-148
“each group was 147 repeated 3 times to take the average value.” Deviations should be marked after the fertilizer amount in Figure 2 (b).
4. The parameter combination are different in the bench and simulation test, so the verification of the simulation results is insufficient.
5. The unit of particle size range is missing.
6. Data is generally only a graph or table for statistics, in the manuscript some graph data duplication, such as Figure 9(a) and (b), Figure 2(a) and(b).
Author Response
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Reviewer 2 Report (New Reviewer)
In order to resolve the low stability problem of the current fertilizer dischager, this paper proposed a RBFNN model based on a bivariate fertilizer discharger and conduct simulation and test bench experiment to find out the optimum combination of rotaion speed and opening length of the discharger, this paper could provide reference for the study of fertilizer discharger. Specific comments are as follows: 1. How to adjust to the best combination of rotation speed and opening length in the operation? 2. How to simulate pulsation in the DEM simulation? 3. It is suggested to conduct comparison experiment with the univariate control fertilizer applicator to evaluate its performance. 4. In field operation, the pulsation could be higher than test bench experiment. 5. How about the adjust precision of the control sequence of the discharger?Author Response
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Reviewer 3 Report (New Reviewer)
This manuscript reports analyzed the effect of bivariate fertilizer discharger control sequence on fertilizer discharges performance. The combination influence of fertilizer discharge wheel rotational speed and opening on the fertilizer discharges performance was studied by using the optimization-seeking model, simulation tests and the bench tests. The manuscript is very puzzle. The explanations of the content and results are simplistic. It is necessary to be supplemented carefully. The author did not make adequate preparations to publish this paper. I do not recommend publishing this manuscript in Agriculture. The revised manuscript may be published in Agriculture after the major revision. the comments are listed below.
1. The application scenario of the optimized fertilizer discharger is not clearly explained, and the references are not comprehensive enough.
2. The main parameters of the equipment related to the bench tests are not described in detail, such as the response time and speed of the system. It is not convincing in terms of feasibility.
3. The part of the data analysis and test results need to be explained in detail, please add corresponding discussion.
Author Response
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Round 2
Reviewer 3 Report (New Reviewer)
The author has completed the revision according to the review comments.
This manuscript is a resubmission of an earlier submission. The following is a list of the peer review reports and author responses from that submission.
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
Suggestions on main problems
It is noted that your manuscript needs careful editing by someone with expertise in technical English editing paying particular attention to English grammar, spelling
When the opening is large and the rotation speed is low, the fertilizer discharge process has large pulsation and poor stability. These experimental results are obvious.
The author used the discrete element analysis software to carry out a series of simulation experiments, but did not carry out a more detailed analysis and discussion, just simply described the test results, without in-depth analysis of the causes of such results
The research design of the overall paper is simple, the writing logic level is not clear, and the simulation results are not fully analyzed.
Author Response
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Reviewer 2 Report
As described in the literature cited by the authors, the effect of bivariate control of fertilizer discharge wheel with rotational speed and openingis adjustment is an old and well-studied issue (References 5, 7, 8, 10, etc.). THe contribution of this literature, even using RBFNN for fertilization performance regression, is still not so enough.
Author Response
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Reviewer 3 Report
Please see the attached file.Comments for author File: 
Comments.pdf
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Reviewer 4 Report
1. (Line 96.) It is recommended to add a description of how the opening degree adjustment and rotational speed adjustment can achieve fertilizer discharge in cooperation with the fertilizer discharger. 2. (Line 152.)Why use RBF neural network instead of BP neural network? Does it compare BP neural network with RBF neural network in the construction of fertilizer discharge volume model? 3. (Line 174.)It is suggested that lines 174-179 be placed in section 3.3Prediction model accuracy analysis.4. Was the particle model in Figure 6 created manually or by 3D scanning?
5. Were the parameters in Table 1 obtained from the authors' own measurements or from references?
6. (Line 243.)Can you describe in more detail the process of determining the three target fertilizer discharge amounts?
7. How is l0 determined in Figure 9?
8. (Line 274.)Is it possible to indicate the coefficient of variation of fertilizer discharge and the accuracy of fertilizer discharge to meet the requirements?
Author Response
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Round 2
Reviewer 1 Report
Take Q as 560, 370 and 575 kg/ha respectively, i.e., qt as 39200, 25900 and 40250g,
How are these typical values selected
Author Response
Dear Reviewer:
These three values were randomly selected from the fertilization prescription chart, and I apologize for not describing them clearly in the article.
Reviewer 3 Report
Most of my comments have been appropriately addressed in the revised manuscript. I think it is acceptable for publication.
Author Response
Dear Reviewer，Thank you very much for your approval!
