Ultrasonic Seed Position Monitoring in Agriculture: New Insights from Chinese Researchers

Strategic Insights -

Researchers from China Agricultural University have developed a method to monitor seed positions in soil using ultrasonic waves. The study, published in the journal Agriculture, utilizes a three-dimensional ultrasonic model to analyze signal variations and propagation characteristics of ultrasonic waves in the seed-soil medium. The findings provide valuable insights into the effects of compression ratio, excitation frequency, and amplitude on signal variation and attenuation.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study developed a three-dimensional ultrasonic model with the double media of seed-soil to visualize signal variations and analyze propagation characteristics.
  • The effects of compression ratio (0/6/12%), excitation frequency (20/40/60 kHz), and amplitude (5/10/15 mm) on signal variation and attenuation were analyzed.
  • The results show consistent trends: time/frequency domain signal intensity increased with a higher compression ratio and amplitude but decreased with frequency.
  • Seed significantly absorbs and attenuates ultrasonic waves, with time domain intensity dropping by 93.99% and first and residual wave frequency peaks decreasing by 88.06% and 96.39%, respectively.
  • The velocity in the seed is significantly higher than that in the soil, with sound velocity in the seed being 990.47%, 562.72%, and 431.34% of that in the soil at compression ratios of 0%, 6%, and 12%, respectively.
  • The findings can be used to distinguish seed presence and provide a basis for ultrasonic seed position monitoring after sowing.

Statistics:

  • 93.99% drop in time domain intensity after seed absorption
  • 88.06% and 96.39% decrease in first and residual wave frequency peaks, respectively
  • 990.47%, 562.72%, and 431.34% increase in sound velocity in the seed compared to the surrounding soil at compression ratios of 0%, 6%, and 12%, respectively

Sources:

  • Acoustic Wave Propagation Characteristics of Maize Seed and Surrounding Region with the Double Media of Seed-Soil. Agriculture, 2025, 15(14):1540. (Agriculture - http://www.mdpi.com/journal/agriculture)
  • China Agricultural University (https://www.caau.edu.cn/)
  • MDPI AG (https://www.mdpi.com/)
  • doi-org.sdpl.idm.oclc.org/10.3390/agriculture15141540
  • China Agricultural University College of Engineering (https://ie.caau.edu.cn/)