Research on novel planting system designed for afforestation of desertified lands

Creating forest curtains on sandy or highly compacted lands affected by desertification necessitates precise control, given the challenges associated with the soil management in these regions. The mechanisms designed for planting forest seedlings face significant challenges: the working apparatus responsible for handling seedlings during planting can inflict notable damage to the stems, particularly through scratching or crushing. This issue usually arises from the design solution and the shape of the mechanical organ handling the seedlings. Moreover, it is highly important to improve the control over the seedling positioning in the soil, action that often encounters issues such as inadequate planting depth or improper planting angles. The present research evaluates a novel modular planting system, which can have excellent effects for areas with difficult or desertified lands. The objective was to obtain a precise control over seedling planting, by enabling the mechanism to automatically adjust its grip and force according to root dimensions, stem characteristics, and seedling size. This ensures effective protection of the seedlings and enhances the overall planting process. The mechanism demonstrated excellent performance and successful adaptation to challenging sandy terrain conditions. The proposed solution offers several technical advantages, including: the precise adjustment of the clamping force on the sapling during planting, based on the condition and size of the woody stem and a better adjustable spacing between the gripping jaws.