This study integrates Discrete Element Method (DEM) simulations, soil bin experiments, and multi-objective optimization to develop an energy-efficient manure injector shank. Eighteen geometries were first screened using DEM, reducing the set to six designs (S_1–S_6) based on draft force–rupture area performance. The selected designs, varying in rake angle (30°, 45°, 60°), thickness (25 and 30 mm), and width (102, 110, and 118 mm), were tested in a soil bin to measure draft, trench width, spoil cross-sectional area, and soil rupture. Statistical analysis revealed significant differences among designs (p < 0.05), confirming that rake angle, width, and thickness have a strong influence on the soil–tool interaction. A multi-objective optimization framework was then used to minimize draft, trench width, and spoil area while maximizing rupture, with performance quantified through overall desirability values (0–1). Shank S_3 (45° rake, 25 mm thickness, 110 mm width) achieved the highest desirability (0.6676), representing the best trade-off between energy efficiency, minimal surface disturbance, and effective subsurface loosening. This integrated DEM–experimental–optimization approach demonstrates a reliable, data-driven workflow for implement design, reducing reliance on extensive field trials. However, future studies should validate the performance of S_3 and other candidate designs under diverse soil types, moisture levels, and operating conditions to confirm their agronomic and environmental benefits.

The conservation of water is crucial to sustainable agricultural production during dry season when there is little or no rainfall to improve crop production. Thus this study is aimed to estimate the effects of different levels of water applications on the growth, yield and water use efficiency of Okra under drip irrigation system during dry season. The sixteen plots consist of four treatments (2 m x 2 m) with four replicates in a complete randomized block design to determine the water consumptive use of Okra. The growth, yield and water use efficiency of Okra under four different irrigation management i.e irrigation water applied at 100FIT (full irrigation treatment), 80FIT, 60FIT and 40FIT were measured. Results showed highest growth parameters being observed at 100FIT and the least at 40FIT. The difference in the growth parameters in all the experimental blocks were not significant (p=0.05) for all the stages of development of okra. Using standard bar errors the yield obtained at 60 and 100FIT was not significantly different but significantly different when compared to other treatment blocks and it ranges from 2.05-3.60 tons/ha. The Irrigation Water Use Efficiency (IWUE) ranges from 0.024-0.041tons/ha.mm while the Crop Water Use Efficiency (CWUE) ranges from 0.0088-0.0139 tons/ha.mm. Okra crop irrigated with drip irrigation at 60FIT recorded the highest IWUE, CWUE and about 73% more yield than the 40FIT of 0.041 tons/ha.mm, 0.0139 tons/ha.mm and 3.56 tons/ha respectively. It was concluded that Okra crop irrigated at 60FIT should be adopted in order to save 40% water to irrigate additional land. Drip irrigation is encouraged during dry season for farmers to produce okra all year round.

The groundnut seed composed of approximately equal weight of fatty and non-fatty oil. The groundnut cake (kulikuli- Hausa name in Nigeria) contains concentrated protein, minerals, and vitamins in addition research finding revealed that no part of the nut is a waste. The kernel without the nuts can be used as hay to feed animals like, horse or ash manure. Planting machine or planter that is normally required to produce more food is beyond the buying capacity of smallholder’s farmers, which result in low productivity especially in the production of grains. An improved manual two-row groundnut planter was developed and evaluated for its performance using locally sourced materials which can be adapted for gardens and smallholder farmers. The machine has the following parts which are furrow opener, handle, frame, hopper, discharge tube, metering unit, and roller housing. The machine was evaluated for field capacity and metering efficiency (3 hole metering devices) at different forward speeds. It was observed that the machine field capacity efficiency of was 82%. Using standard error bars the highest metering efficiency of 92% was observed at 0.7 m s -1 machine speed. The ANOVA (analysis of variance) shows that speed as significant effect on metering efficiency with a p-value of 5.44E-18. The planter could plant an average of five seeds per point. It is simple, cheap and the ergonomics of the machine was considered which makes it easy to operate.

Research on soil-wheel interaction is essential in studies of motion resistance of narrow wheels of agricultural machines. The aim of this research was to study the effects of soil moisture content and tyre inflation pressure on motion resistance of narrow wheels using a locally developed single wheel test rig. A single wheel Test Rig facility was developed at Federal University of Technology, Akure. It consists of a soil bin, carriage, single narrow wheel tester, trolley and drive system. An existing indoor soil bin facility was equipped with a soil bin which dimension was 9.76 m length x 1.98 m width x 0.92 m high. The single-wheel test facility was utilized to investigate the effect of tyre inflation pressure and vertical load on motion resistance of wheel. Two narrow wheels of 90/10-10 in width, IRC MB90 tyre were used as the test wheels on clay soil and were separately installed on a carriage that traversed the length of soil bin. Two inflation pressures of 274 kPa and 380 kPa and four levels of vertical load applied on wheel (i.e. 15, 20, 30, and 40 kg) were examined at two different soil moisture conditions (bulk density of 1.58 g/cm³ and 1.55 g/cm³, soil moisture content of 8% and 10% dry basis and soil penetration resistance of 1.02 MPa and 1.5 MPa). Exponential regression was obtained for the two wheels to check for linearity at different moisture content, R²value for test wheel 1 with inflation pressure of 270 kPa at 8% moisture content was 0.9974 while that of inflation pressure of 380 kPa at 10% moisture content was 0.9952; also for test wheel two (2) R² value was 0.9977 and 0.9914 at moisture content of 8% and 10% respectively, this shows for test wheel 1 with inflation pressure of 270 kPa at 8% moisture content showed more motion resistance compared to motion resistance of test wheel 1 at inflation pressure of 380 kPa and 10% moisture content, while for test wheel 2 with inflation pressure of 270 kPa showed low motion resistance at 8% motion content. The effect of different inflation pressures and vertical loads on the motion resistance of the narrow wheels has been investigated under different moisture content (8% and 10%). The contact area for all tests was in the range of 309-330 cm², average contact pressure increased nearly linearly with increase in vertical load and increase in inflation pressure The research provides data that are relevant in the study of soil-wheel interaction.

The research aims reviewed impact of the Cassava Processing Mill Effluent (CME) on the physco-chemical properties of soils. Collected samples of three chosen areas at the Igbatoro community, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria and labeled as A B C. Soil samples free from cassava mill effluent were likewise gathered from two unique areas marked D and E to serve as control samples at an interval of 15 cm depth from the top. Chemical changes occurred in the soil because of the release of effluent from cassava handling plants; the soil samples collected were analyzed in the laboratory utilizing the Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS) method. The accompanying physical and chemical parameters were investigated; soil texture, soil porosity, particle size, TOC, pH, electrical conductivity, Pb, Zn, Cr, Fe, K, Ca, and Na. Results were compared with the result obtained from the control site Federal Environmental Protection Agency (FEPA) and World Health Organization (WHO) standards. Analysis shows that the soil samples with CME exceeds the WHO and FEPA standards. The result shows that the CME has contaminated the soil and made it unsatisfactory for agricultural purposes; this also affected the environment and the soil organic matter. Based on WHO and FEPA standard regulations, these metals exhibit hazardous concentrations. There was no huge expansion in Pb and Cr grouping of CME samples with the control tests. The chemical concentration of CME and its consequences for the soil propose its true capacity as a bio fertilizer particularly for K and Na contents. Findings shows that the effluent has great effect on the surrounding soil, and which leads to soil pollution, remediation should be practice.