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To address the problems of low crushing efficiency and uneven distribution in traditional straw crushing and returning machines for cotton stalk return operations in Xinjiang, a vertical straw crushing and returning machine with large and small dual-blade discs was designed, adapted to Xinjiang’s cotton planting model. The machine employs a differentiated configuration of large and small blade discs corresponding to four and two rows of cotton stalks, respectively, effectively reducing tool workload while significantly improving operational efficiency. A simulation model of the crushing and returning machine was developed using the discrete element method (DEM), and a flexible cotton stalk model was established to systematically investigate the effects of machine forward speed, crushing blade rotational speed, and knife tip-to-ground clearance on operational performance. Single-factor simulation experiments were conducted using crushing qualification rate and broken stalk drop rate as evaluation indicators. Subsequently, a multi-factor orthogonal field experiment was designed with Design-Expert software (13.0.1.0, Stat-Ease Inc, Minneapolis, MN, USA). The optimal working parameters were determined to be machine forward speed of 3.5 m/s, crushing blade shaft speed of 1500 r/min, and blade tip ground clearance of 60 mm. Verification tests demonstrated that under these optimal parameters, the straw crushing qualification rate reached 95.9% with a broken stalk drop rate of 15.5%. The relative errors were less than 5% compared to theoretical optimization values, confirming the reliability of parameter optimization. This study provides valuable references for the design optimization and engineering application of straw return machinery.

[Objectives] To better design and test 9FQM1000 branch and straw hammer mill in view of the problems of large output, low utilization rate, traditional incineration and easily polluting environment of the new agricultural economic organization's straw and waste branches. [Methods] This hammer mill adopts dual-channel feeding method. It adopts the basic working principle of disc shredding and hammer crushing. Besides, it makes design of the structure and driving system of the branch and straw hammer mill. 9FQM1000 type branch and straw hammer mill can finely crush the branches and straws. Finally, it makes a trial production of 9FQM1000 type branch and straw hammer mill. [Results] The prototype test showed that the combined crushing structure of 9FQM1000 type branch and straw hammer mill is reliable, and the production capacity is 3 000 kg/h. [Conclusions] The automatic feeder makes the crushing operation more stable, the labor intensity is reduced, the structure is simple, and it can be moved by traction. It is environmentally friendly and pollution-free. It has the characteristics of high safety, automation and high production efficiency. Also, crushed materials can be used as edible fungus culture medium, animal feed, organic fertilizer, etc., and can be further compressed into biomass fuel, and the crushed branches can also be returned to the field.

Straw return is a widely endorsed sustainable agronomic practice. However, a systematic understanding of its carbon-nitrogen coupling mechanisms and their consequent impacts on the soil-microbe-plant continuum across the entire cotton growth cycle is critically lacking. We conducted a field experiment with five treatments: CK (no straw return), T1 (one-third shredded straw), T2 (two-thirds shredded straw), T3 (full shredded straw), and T4 (full straw left intact as surface mulch). This design enabled us to decipher how the amount and fragmentation of straw residues synchronize the soil-microbe-plant system to enhance sustainability. Our findings reveal distinct mechanistic pathways. The T3 treatment (full shredding) triggered an early-season microbial \"relay,\" where expansion was succeeded by , elevating soil pH from 4.82 to 5.73 and boosting alkaline-hydrolysable N by 113.01% at the flower and boll stage. This enhanced nitrate reductase activity by 74.1% and increased bolls per plant by 35.0%. In contrast, the T4 treatment (surface mulch) provided a more gradual nitrogen release (+28.4% alkaline-hydrolysable N during boll opening), which prolonged the secondary cell wall deposition phase in fibers. This strategy achieved a lint yield of 2055.63 kg ha⁻¹ (+63.8%) and a 2.6% increase in fiber strength. Furthermore, T4 fostered a \"microbial sanctuary\" at boll opening, evidenced by a 130.5% explosion in OTU richness and an 18.7% suppression of pathogen populations. We demonstrate that surface mulching (T4) is the superior strategy, as it optimally balances high yield with superior fiber quality by creating a resilient and suppressive soil microbiome. This work provides a novel carbon-nitrogen synergy framework for the resource-efficient utilization of crop residues in sustainable cotton production.

To address the low efficiency of corn straw collection, this study aims to optimize the design of the straw shredding mechanism of corn straw harvesters. A multi-blade arrangement shredding mechanism was designed, with ANSYS 2022 employed for gas-phase flow field simulation of the pick-up and fan conveying chambers, and a multi-field coupled simulation was conducted to evaluate performance using pick-up rate and qualified cutting length rate as metrics. Field tests were carried out to validate the simulation results. The results show that the DC-type pick-up (symmetrically arranged Y-shaped and hammer claw blades) exhibited optimal performance. At a travel speed of 1.2 m/s and rotational speed of 2100 r/min, the pick-up rate and qualified cutting length rate reached 93.62% and 93.94%, respectively, in field tests (81.34% pick-up rate in simulation); its maximum collection efficiency reached 92.98% under the conditions of fan 1 speed of 2300 r/min, fan 2 speed of 4600 r/min, and single feed rate of 9.4 kg. All pick-up types had maximum forces below the stress limit (348 MPa), meeting operational requirements. This research provides reliable references for the design and optimization of corn straw returning machines and verifies the accuracy of the simulation method.

To address the limitations of large silage machines in hilly and small-scale farming regions and the inefficiencies of existing small-scale crushing and baling machines, in this study, we developed an integrated silage crushing, shredding, and baling machine. Using discrete element software (EDEM 2022.3), the baling process of shredded straw was simulated, achieving a baled grass density of 140.067 kg/m3, meeting practical requirements. A three-factor, three-level experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of the hammer blade quantity, blade length, and hammer angle on machine productivity and straw shredding rate. Performance data were analyzed using Design-Expert 10.0.7 software to develop regression models and assess the significance of each factor. The results indicated that productivity was most influenced by hammer blade quantity, followed by blade length and hammer angle, while the shredding rate was primarily affected by blade length, then hammer blade quantity, and hammer angle. The optimal configuration was identified as 32 hammer blades, a blade length of 99 mm, and a hammer angle of 14°. Validation experiments demonstrated a productivity of 2815.29 kg/h, a straw shredding rate of 94.28%, and a baled grass density of 124.52 kg/m3, closely aligning with the predicted values and confirming the reliability of the optimization.

China boasts abundant straw resources but grapples with notable challenges in straw processing: returning straw to fields can lead to soil compaction and aggravated pests/diseases, while baled straw for off-field storage and transportation tends to scatter. Additionally, domestic netting technology for square bales remains underdeveloped, and imported equipment is ill-suited for small-scale farmers. To tackle these issues, this study developed an integrated straw baling and netting machine by modifying the 9YFSG-2.2 square straw baler. It integrates a conveying mechanism, an offset crank–connecting rod compression mechanism (300 mm crank, 885 mm connecting rod), a two-stage gear-driven net-wrapping mechanism (with hollowed-out large gears for weight reduction), and a sensor-controlled net-cutting device, forming a complete workflow of “straw pick-up–shredding–conveying–compaction–net wrapping–net cutting”. Via coupled simulation using RecurDyn 2019, EDEM 2020, and ANSYS Workbench 2018, straw particles were modeled as 28-mm-long segments (composed of three 7 mm spheres). Simulations showed straw compaction in 0.48 s, with the compression chamber and plate having equivalent stresses of 0.2767 MPa and 173.44 MPa and maximum deformations of 0.0012 mm and 0.66 mm—both well below structural steel’s yield strength. Field tests in Xinxiang, Henan (straw moisture 30.03%), yielded results exceeding standards: 99.4% bale formation rate, 96% regular bale rate, 93% drop resistance rate, 170 kg/m3 bale density, and 12 s per bale efficiency. Controlling netting time further boosted efficiency and reduced consumption, successfully realizing integrated straw baling and netting.

In this paper, Delphi method was used to evaluate the low-carbon technologies and measures for high agricultural carbon productivity in Taihu Lake Basin. We established the selecting process and standards and obtained the final list of low-carbon technologies and management measures of high agricultural carbon productivity in Taihu Lake Basin: (1) the initial list of low-carbon technologies and measures of planting industry included 19 items, of which 10 items were included in the final list. The 10 technologies and measures included in the final list were reducing fertilizers, mixed use of organic fertilizer and chemical fertilizer, soil testing and formulated fertilization, application of controlled release fertilizer, deep application of fertilizers, cultivation of new variety, extension of conservation tillage, extension of midseason/alternate drainage, paddy-upland rotation (rice-rape/rice-wheat), and reducing pesticides. (2) The initial list of low-carbon technologies and measures of animal husbandry included 11 items, of which 4 items were included in the final list. The 4 technologies and measures included in the final list were reasonable ratio of concentrate to roughage in ration, treatment straw feed by silage/ammoniation/shredding, application of nutritive cube/dietary additives, and promotion of high productivity livestock breeds. (3) Low-carbon agricultural technologies and management measures need to be adapted to local conditions according to different geographical, climatic, and socio-economic development characteristics, and it is necessary to form a regionally differentiated system of low-carbon agricultural technologies and management measures. The final list of low-carbon technologies and management measures of high agricultural carbon productivity can provide decision-making reference for the formulation of agricultural carbon emission reduction technology system and low-carbon agricultural development planning of provinces and cities in Taihu Lake Basin. At the same time, the final list can be considered a priority for the promotion of agricultural low-carbon technologies and measures in China and even in the world.

In response to the issues of insufficient shredding efficiency, severe straw entanglement with equipment, and prone blade damage in existing banana straw crushing and returning machines, this paper innovatively proposes a liquid nitrogen (LN2) cryo-pretreatment combined with a mechanical incorporation method by, firstly, conducting shear, tensile, and cooling timeliness mechanical experiments on banana straw sheaths using LN2 low-temperature pretreatment, and then designing a corresponding spray device. Subsequently, an improved BAO-Fuzzy-PID control algorithm is presented, which significantly enhances the control performance of the fuzzy PID controller, with the steady-state error, overshoot, rise time, and settling time being 0, 0, 0.31 s, and 0.25 s, respectively. Finally, field experiments are executed, and the flow control accuracy test results indicated a maximum error of 3.32%, meeting the test requirements. Using spray height and spray angle as experimental factors and banana straw crushing qualification rate as the experimental indicator, a two-factor and five-level banana straw crushing experiment is presented. The optimal spray parameters are determined to be a spray height of 250 mm and a spray angle of 90°. At this point, the banana straw crushing qualification rate is 96.98%, meeting the quality requirements for banana straw crushing and significantly reducing straw entanglement.

In the Republic of Moldova, orchard biomass represents an important resource for the production of densified solid biofuels, with peach having the highest sustainable energy potential (33.5 ± 6.54 GJ·ha−1). However, the quality of solid biofuels derived from orchard biomass is often constrained by heterogeneity in moisture content, uneven particle size distribution, and inadequate drying or blending practices along the supply chain. Optimizing the solid biofuel supply chain is therefore essential to minimize feedstock variability, ensure consistent densification quality, and reduce production costs. The aim of this study was to improve the process of producing densified solid biofuels from orchard biomass. Specifically, the study investigated how raw material moisture and particle size influence briquette density and durability, and how ternary mixtures of peach biomass, wheat straw, and sunflower residues can be optimized for enhanced energy performance. All experimental determinations were performed using validated methods and calibrated equipment. The results showed that optimal performance is achieved by shredding the biomass with 4–8 mm sieves and maintaining the moisture content between 6 and 14%, resulting in briquettes with the density of 1.00–1.05 g·cm−3, ash content below 3–5%, and an energy yield of 18.4–19.2 MJ·kg−1. Ternary diagrams confirmed the decisive role of peach lignocellulosic residues in achieving high density, low ash content, and increased energy yield, while wheat straw and sunflower residues can be used in controlled proportions to diversify resources and reduce costs. These findings provide quantitative insights into how mixture formulation and process parameters influence the briquette quality, contributing to the optimization of solid biofuel supply chains for orchard and agricultural residues. Overall, this study demonstrates that competitive solid biofuels can be produced through careful balancing of mixture composition and optimization of technological parameters, offering practical guidelines for sustainable bioenergy development in regions with abundant orchard residues.

Straw returning enhances soil fertility and increases corn yield, but the impact on soil fertility varies with different incorporation methods. To explore the optimal straw-returning method, this study, based on a long-term field experiment, investigated the following different corn-straw-returning methods: deep plowing and straw returning (B), rotary tillage and straw returning (RT), crushing and mixing straw returning (TM), pulverized cover straw returning (C), high-stubble-retention straw returning (LHS), strip cover (S), and flat no-tillage without straw returning (CK). High-throughput sequencing technology was employed to analyze the soil bacterial community composition and structural changes under different straw-returning methods. The study further explored the relationships between the soil bacterial community and nutrient content. The results indicated that different straw-returning methods altered the composition and structure of the soil bacterial community. The TM treatment significantly increased the richness and diversity of the soil bacterial communities. Shredding and covering (C and TM) effectively improved the soil nutrient content and bacterial community structure. In the C treatment, the abundance of Blastococcus, Nocardioides, and Microvirga increased the most, by 241.02%, 77.79%, and 355.08%, respectively, compared with CK. In the TM treatment, Pseudarthrobacter showed the highest abundance, increasing by 343.30%. The genes involved in soil carbon hydrolysis (pulA), nitrification (hao), organic nitrogen degradation and synthesis (gudB), and the nitrogen limitation response (glnR) significantly decreased by 56.21%, 78.75%, 66.46%, and 67.40%, respectively, in the C treatment. The genes involved in soil carbon hydrolysis (IMA), carbon fixation (pccB-A), methane metabolism (moxF), nitrate reduction in soil (nirD), organic nitrogen degradation and synthesis (gdh, ureAB, ureE), and phosphate absorption (glpT) significantly increased by 93.37%, 92.68%, 95.00%, 23.42%, 35.40%, 114.21%, 59.14%, and 75.86%, respectively, in the C treatment. The nitrate reduction gene (nrfA) significantly increased by 80.27% in the TM treatment. Therefore, we concluded that straw primarily stimulates the activity of bacterial communities and regulates the bacterial community by changing the relative abundance of the soil microorganisms and functional genes, thereby improving the soil nutrient content. This study considered pulverized cover straw returning and crushing and mixing straw returning to be the most reasonable methods.