Low cost electronic push cone for the study of mechanical impedance to root growth

摘要

> size="2" face="Verdana">This work describes the construction, calibration and tests of a Low Cost Electronic Push Cone (LCPC) for the study of mechanical impedance to root growth and plant emergence. The LCPC may be used to determine Cone Index up to a 40 mm depth. The LCPC developed is made up of three parts: mechanical device, electronic circuit and software. The mechanical part is composed, basically, of an aluminium body that shelters a cone. The force for penetration in the soil is supplied by a spring of linear characteristic. The electronic part consists of a displacement sensor that is used to measure the spring's displacement. An electronic circuit makes the interface of the signal with a microcomputer. The software has the function of controlling the acquisition, storage and processing of the data. The LCPC presented good results in the calibration and in the field tests.