Current Status and Analysis of Key Technologies in Automatic Transplanters for Vegetables in China

Bo Cheng, Huarui Wu (), Huaji Zhu, Jie Liang, Yisheng Miao, Youlin Cui and Weitang Song ()
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Bo Cheng: National Engineering Research Center for Information Technology in Agriculture, Beijing 100097, China
Huarui Wu: National Engineering Research Center for Information Technology in Agriculture, Beijing 100097, China
Huaji Zhu: National Engineering Research Center for Information Technology in Agriculture, Beijing 100097, China
Jie Liang: National Engineering Research Center for Information Technology in Agriculture, Beijing 100097, China
Yisheng Miao: National Engineering Research Center for Information Technology in Agriculture, Beijing 100097, China
Youlin Cui: National Engineering Research Center for Information Technology in Agriculture, Beijing 100097, China
Weitang Song: College of Water Resources and Civil Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100083, China

Agriculture, 2024, vol. 14, issue 12, 1-30

Abstract: Transplanting is a critical step in vegetable production, and the application of automatic transplanters can significantly reduce labor intensity, improve production efficiency, and enhance the precision and consistency of operations. However, automatic transplanters are structurally complex, with diverse components, each design and function offering its own advantages and limitations. To assist industry professionals in quickly understanding and selecting transplanters suited to specific crops and environments, this paper reviews three key technologies in current vegetable transplanters: planting mechanisms, automated seedling picking and placing, and tray conveyance. Each technology is classified, compared, and analyzed to evaluate its applicability. Based on the current state of technology, the paper identifies major challenges in the development of vegetable transplanters in China, including insufficient integration of machinery and agronomy, high demands for equipment adaptability, lack of standardized systems, and delays in the development of core technologies for fully automated transplanting. Solutions are proposed for each of these issues. Finally, the paper discusses future directions for the development of automatic transplanters, including enhancing transplanting efficiency, achieving autonomous navigation, digitalizing operations, developing supporting systems for transplanting, and unmanned transplanting.

Keywords: vegetables; automatic transplanter; transplanting mechanisms; automated seeding picking and placing; tray conveyance systems (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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