Fast and simple measurement of cutting energy requirement of plant stalk and prediction model development

A novel idea of utilizing a digital torque wrench (DTW) assembled with a common bypass lopper to determine the cutting energy of corn stalks in combination with a modified Warner-Bratzler device attachment on a standard universal testing machine (UTM) was developed. Peak torque, torque per unit area, peak stress, and net and specific cutting energy were determined. The DTW peak torque and UTM standard net cutting energy, and the DTW torque per unit area and UTM specific energy were strongly correlated (r >= 0.95; P < 0.0001). Simple linear models (R(2) >= 0.91; P < 0.0001) of net and specific cutting energy from the DTW readings were developed. The DTW cutting energy measurement method is fast, simple, less expensive, portable, and suitable for on-site measurements. Published by Elsevier B.V.