Soil compaction is one of the main negative factors that limits plant growth and crop yield. Therefore, it is important to determine the soil resistance level and map it for the field to find solutions for the negative effects of the compaction. Nowadays, high powered communication technology and computers help us on this issue within the approach of precision agriculture applications. This study is focused on the design of a penetrometer, which can make instantaneous soil resistance measurements in the soil horizontally and data acquisition software based on the GPS (Global Positioning System). The penetrometer was designed using commercial 3D parametric solid modelling design software. The data acquisition software was developed in Microsoft Visual Basic.NET programming language. After the design of the system, manufacturing and assembly of the system was completed and then a field experiment was carried out. According to the data from GPS and penetration resistance values which are collected in Microsoft SQL Server database, a Kriging method by ArcGIS was used and soil resistance was mapped in the field for a soil depth of 40 cm. During operation, no faults, either in mechanical and software parts, were seen. As a result, soil resistance values of 0.2 MPa and 3 MPa were obtained as minimum and maximum values, respectively. In conclusion, the experimental results showed that the designed system works quite well in the field and the horizontal penetrometer is a practical tool for providing on‑line soil resistance measurements. This study contributes to further research for the development of on-line soil resistance measurements and mapping within the precision agriculture applications.

Biomass pellets are widely used for combustion but can also serve as sustainable feedstocks for pyrolysis. This study examined wood (WP), palm-pruning (PP), reed (RD), and daphne (DP) pellets. We present a compact framework linking composition (proximate/ultimate and lignocellulosic fractions) with TG/DTG, FTIR, TGA-derived indices (CPI, D_dev, R_w), T_pmax and R_av to predict product selectivity and temperature ranges. TG/DTG showed the following sequence: hemicellulose (≈200–315 °C) first, cellulose (≈315–400 °C) with a sharp maximum, and lignin ≈200–600 °C. Low-ash WP and DP had sharper, higher peaks, favoring concentrated devolatilization and condensables. Mineral-rich PP and RD began earlier and showed depressed peaks from AAEM catalysis, shifting toward gases and ash-richer chars. Composition shaped these patterns: higher cellulose increased R_av and CPI; links to T_pmax were moderated by ash. Lignin strengthened a high-T shoulder, while hemicellulose promoted early deacetylation (RD’s 1730 cm⁻¹ acetyl C=O) and release of CO₂ and acids. Correlations (|r| ≥ 0.70) supported these links: VM with total (m_∞) and second stage mass loss; cellulose with R_av and CPI (T_pmax moderated by ash); lignin and O/C with T_f and last stage mass loss; ash negatively with T_i, T_pmax, and m_∞. The obtained results guide the sustainable valorization of biomass pellets by selecting temperatures for liquids, H₂/CO-rich gases or low-ash aromatic chars.

In this study, cotton and sesame stalks that are grown regionally and burned in coarse form as a source of heat energy form in the current application are used as pellet raw materials. Although these residues are used as biomass raw materials in different forms, there is limited information about their use as pellets. In order to compare the production efficiency and physical properties of the pellets obtained, production capacity, specific energy consumption, bulk density, particle density, durability, compression resistance, specific compression resistance, and tensile strength tests have been applied. In the moisture content ranges pellet durability, bulk density, particle density and tensile strength were achieved as 89–98%, 430–695 kg/m³, 921–1367 kg/m³, 2.83–7.28 Mpa for cotton stalk pellets, and 93–97%, 510–660 kg/m³, 4.26–5.85 Mpa for sesame stalk pellets, respectively. 20% pelletizing moisture for both stalks increased pellet production capacity, reduced energy consumption, but affected negatively their physical structures. It was concluded that the ideal pelleting moisture values for cotton stalks and sesame stalks were 10% and 15%, respectively. During combustion experiments, O₂, CO₂, CO, and NO_x emissions, flue gas temperature, and combustion efficiency were observed. According to the results of combustion experiments, CO and NO_x emissions were found to be 1646 ppm and 50 ppm for cotton stalks, 2862 ppm and 134 ppm for sesame stalks, respectively. High O₂ emission values (18–19%) were observed for both pellets.