TECHNOLOGY AND TECHNICAL EQUIPMENT FOR ORGANIC FERTILIZATION IN ORCHARDS

Sustainable agricultural principles guided the development of a machine designed for the application of organic fertilizers in fruit and vineyard plantations. Applied research was therefore conducted to design (using three-dimensional design software), construct, and test a machine with a capacity of 3 tons. The machine is capable of performing fertilization between tree rows, either across the entire inter-row width or in strips near the tree rows, ensuring efficient nutrient application directly to the root zone. The designed, constructed, and tested prototype features a ratchet mechanism driving the scraper conveyor, which delivers the manure to the rotors in the grinding and spreading section. This configuration prevents the spiral rotors from clogging and avoids conveyor chain breakage. Experimental research conducted under laboratory and field conditions demonstrated that the machine can distribute manure over a working width ranging from 960 to 1800 mm.