Automated soybean cyst nematode extraction unit

Whitmore Stanley, Allante

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/50416 Copy

Description

Title

Automated soybean cyst nematode extraction unit

Author(s)

Whitmore Stanley, Allante

Issue Date

2014-09-16

Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)

Bhalerao, Kaustubh

Department of Study

Engineering Administration

Discipline

Agricultural & Biological Engr

Degree Granting Institution

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Degree Name

M.S.

Degree Level

Thesis

Keyword(s)

• Soybean Cyst Nematode (SCN)
• Extraction
• Automation
• Design

Abstract

The soybean cyst nematode (SCN) is a plant parasitic roundworm of soybeans responsible for an estimated $0.7-1.2 billion reduction in annual yield loss. In order to manage yield loss due to SCN, soybean producers employ a nematode management plan which utilize extensive soil sampling to assess SCN population density. Even though the nematode management practices exist, they require greater spatial and temporal resolution in SCN field counts. Currently, SCN extraction from soil samples is time consuming and highly laborious. This thesis produced a design and prototype of an automated extraction unit in order to simplify the soybean cyst and egg extraction process. The proposed automated extraction process will increase the recovery rate while consolidating nematode extraction steps eliminating much of the manual labor in the process. In order to improve extraction efficiency, the design maximized automation use, compacted unit size, used inexpensive materials, and offered the option to scale the unit. Prototyping established the technical feasibility of the unit. The automated unit will provide a more efficient SCN extraction method for monitoring the SCN population.

Graduation Semester

2014-08

Permalink

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/50416

Copyright and License Information

Copyright 2014 Allante Whitmore Stanley

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