Test device for earthworms to construct soil macropore structure under driving condition

Abstract

This invention discloses an experimental device for earthworms constructing soil macroporous structures under driven conditions. To overcome the limitations of existing soil animal feeding preference experimental devices, which are limited to static placement and cannot study the weighting relationships of multiple factors on earthworm movement within the soil at different times and spaces, nor can they simulate the influence of different field environments on earthworm movement orientation, and cannot study the state of soil macroporous structure after earthworm movement without damaging the soil condition, this invention provides an earthworm driven factor experimental device that can simulate multiple spatiotemporal soil conditions, features multiple cantilever arms, detachable and combinable cantilever arms, real-time monitoring and adjustment of soil temperature and humidity, and cantilever arms capable of CT scanning. The device includes an experimental box assembly, experimental cantilever arms, a temperature and humidity detection system, and a heating and humidifying unit. It meets the experimental requirements for earthworms constructing soil macroporous structures under driven conditions, which is of great significance for research on soil macroporous structure regulation based on the "earthworm tillage method" and new technologies for black soil conservation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of agricultural engineering, and more specifically, this invention relates to an experimental device for earthworms to construct large-pore soil structures under driven conditions. Background Technology

[0002] Deep tillage is a crucial part of conservation tillage. While traditional mechanical deep tillage can increase soil aeration and water retention, it disturbs the soil surface and damages soil structure. Earthworms, known as "ecosystem engineers," create interconnected channels and large pores as they move through the soil, increasing soil porosity and aeration. Therefore, "earthworm tillage," which utilizes earthworms to build large pores, has become a new direction to replace mechanical deep tillage. Existing research devices lack the capability to study the movement patterns of earthworms and the construction patterns of large pores in soil under multiple spatiotemporal conditions, driving factors, and soil types. Therefore, inventing a multi-cantilever, detachable and combinable cantilever device capable of real-time monitoring and adjustment of soil temperature and humidity, and with cantilever CT scanning capabilities, to investigate earthworm-driven factors, is of great significance. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The present invention aims to address the problem of studying the influence of various factors on earthworm movement in soil, and provides a multi-cantilever experimental device with detachable and combinable cantilever arms that can monitor and adjust soil temperature and humidity in real time, and whose cantilever arms can perform CT scans.

[0004] An experimental device for earthworms to construct large-pore soil structures under driving conditions, characterized in that it includes an experimental box assembly, an experimental cantilever, and a temperature and humidity detection and control system;

[0005] The test kit assembly includes a top cover and an earthworm release box;

[0006] The test cantilever comprises four identical round caps, eight identical tube sleeves, four identical 50cm test tubes, four identical 30cm test tubes, and four identical 20cm test tubes.

[0007] The temperature and humidity detection and control system includes four touch display modules, four temperature and humidity sensors, and four heating and humidifying devices;

[0008] The test box assembly is a cube with a top cover that is attached to the earthworm release box. The 50cm, 30cm, and 20cm test tubes are connected by nested tube sleeves, with a round cover nested at one end and a flange embedded in the side of the earthworm release box at the other end. The touch display module is attached to the outer wall of the side of the earthworm release box, and the temperature and humidity sensor is inserted into the inner wall of the test cantilever and connected to the touch display module.

[0009] The central test chamber includes a top cover and an earthworm release box;

[0010] The central test box is a cube with a side length of 1000, and the top cover is placed on the earthworm release box.

[0011] The top cover includes a cover plate and a light source;

[0012] The light source is installed in the center of the cover plate, and the cover plate has 8 ventilation holes around the light source;

[0013] The earthworm release box includes a box body and four identical flanges;

[0014] The four identical flanges are respectively installed on the four sides of the box body.

[0015] The light source includes an LED light and a switch;

[0016] The LED light and switch are connected and installed in the hole in the center of the cover plate. The LED light is on the lower side of the cover plate, and the switch is on the upper side of the cover plate.

[0017] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are:

[0018] 1. The structure is disassembled and can be disassembled, and the test cantilever can be adjusted to the required length according to the connection.

[0019] 2. It has four cantilever arms, which can simultaneously simulate the effects of different driving factors on earthworms under multiple spatiotemporal conditions;

[0020] 3. The overall structure is made of polymer wave-transparent material. Each section of the cantilever can be removed and placed in an industrial CT scanner to obtain the microstructure of the soil pores.

[0021] 4. Drill holes in the cantilever to ensure water and air permeability;

[0022] 5. Temperature and humidity sensors are installed on the cantilever arms to detect the temperature and humidity of each cantilever arm;

[0023] 6. Heating and humidifying devices are installed on the cantilever arms to regulate the temperature and humidity of each cantilever arm;

[0024] 7. The cantilever end has a cap that can be opened to add food and observe the earthworms' movement. It can also be closed to keep the soil moist and warm.

[0025] 8. The cantilever arms can be combined and connected, and their length can be changed as needed;

[0026] 9. A light is installed on the top cover of the central earthworm release box to drive the earthworms' burrowing movement.

[0027] 10. The top cover of the central earthworm release box is perforated for ventilation to stimulate earthworms to burrow into the soil. Attached Figure Description

[0028] Figure 1This is the assembly drawing of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 2 This is an assembly drawing of the test box assembly of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 3 This is an assembly drawing of the test cantilever of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 4 This is an assembly diagram of the temperature and humidity detection system of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the heating and humidifying device of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 6 This is an assembly drawing of the top cover of the present invention;

[0034] Figure 7 This is an assembly diagram of the earthworm release box of the present invention;

[0035] Figure 8 This is an assembly diagram of the light source of the present invention;

[0036] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the touch display module of the present invention.

[0037] In the diagram: A. Test chamber assembly; B. Test cantilever; C. Temperature and humidity detection system; D. Heating and humidifying unit; 1. Top cover; 2. Earthworm release box; 3. Round cover; 4. Tube sleeve; 5. 50cm test tube; 6. 30cm test tube; 7. 20cm test tube; 8. Touch display module; 9. Temperature and humidity sensor; 10. Cover plate; 11. Light source; 12. Box body; 13. Flange; 14. LED light; 15. Switch; 16. Display screen; 17. Switch; 18. Indicator light; 19. Control box. Detailed Implementation

[0038] See Figure 1 An experimental device for earthworms to construct macroporous soil structures under driving conditions includes an experimental box assembly A, an experimental cantilever B, a temperature and humidity detection system C, and a heating and humidifying device D.

[0039] The test box assembly A is located in the middle, and four test cantilever arms B are respectively connected to the test box assembly A by bolts. The temperature and humidity detection system C is connected to the outer wall of the test box assembly A on one side and to the test cantilever arm B on the other side. The heating and humidifying device D is connected to the test cantilever arm B.

[0040] See Figure 2 The test box assembly A includes a top cover 1 and an earthworm release box 2. The test box assembly A is a cube with a side length of 1, and the top cover 1 is attached to the earthworm release box 2.

[0041] See Figure 3 and Figure 7 The experimental cantilever B comprises four identical circular caps 3, eight identical tube sleeves 4, four identical 50cm test tubes 5, four identical 30cm test tubes 6, and four identical 20cm test tubes 7. The 50cm, 30cm, and 20cm test tubes 5 and 6 are connected by nested tube sleeves 4. One end for releasing the driving factor is nested within a circular cap 3, and the other end is embedded in a flange 14 on the side of the earthworm release box 2. The earthworm release box 2 includes a box body 12 and four identical flanges 13, which are respectively installed on the four sides of the box body 12. According to experimental requirements, the 50cm, 30cm, and 20cm test tubes 5 and 6 can be combined to form the required length, thereby studying the effect of the driving factor on earthworms at different distances. Different types of soil can be filled inside the test tubes to study the influence of different soil types on earthworm movement and soil structure. The test tubes are all made of PVC and have a diameter of 20cm. After disassembly, they can be placed in an industrial nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer, allowing for photographic study of the pore structure formed by earthworm movement and soil porosity without damaging the soil. The holes in the test tubes allow for ventilation, preventing the earthworms from suffocating.

[0042] See Figure 4 , Figure 9 The temperature and humidity detection and control system C includes four touch display modules 8 and four temperature and humidity sensors 9. The touch display modules 8 are attached to the outer side wall of the earthworm release box 2. The temperature and humidity sensors 9 are inserted into the inner wall of the test cantilever B and connected to the touch display modules 8. The touch display modules 8 include a display screen 16, a switch 17, an indicator light 18, and a control box 19. The display screen 16 is installed in the center of the control box 19, the switch 17 is installed on the lower left side of the control box 19, and the indicator light 18 is installed on the upper part of the control box 19. The temperature and humidity sensors 9 display the collected temperature and humidity data on the display screen 16. The temperature and humidity of the soil placed in the test cantilever B can be determined from the displayed data.

[0043] See Figure 5 The four identical heating and humidifying devices D are inserted into the inner walls of the four test cantilever arms B respectively. The heating and humidifying devices D are hollow copper tubes. Heating can change the temperature of the soil placed in the test cantilever arm B, and adding water can inject water into the soil placed in the test cantilever arm B to change the soil humidity, thereby simulating soil temperature and humidity under different environments and studying the effects of temperature and humidity on earthworm movement and soil structure construction.

[0044] See Figure 6The top cover 1 includes a cover plate 10 and a light source 11. The light source 11 is installed in the center of the cover plate 10. The cover plate 10 has 8 ventilation holes around the light source 11. The light source 11 can stimulate earthworms to burrow into the soil. The ventilation holes can prevent earthworms from suffocating due to lack of oxygen and stimulate earthworms to burrow into the soil.

[0045] See Figure 8 The light source 11 includes an LED lamp 14 and a switch 15. The LED lamp 14 and the switch 15 are connected and installed in the hole in the center of the cover plate 10. The LED lamp 14 is on the lower side of the cover plate 10, and the switch 15 is on the upper side of the cover plate 11.

[0046] Working principle of the invention

[0047] This invention includes a test box assembly, a test cantilever, a temperature and humidity detection system, and a heating and humidifying device;

[0048] The test box assembly includes a top cover and an earthworm release box. The test box assembly is a cube with a side length of 1000. The top cover is attached to the earthworm release box.

[0049] The experimental cantilever comprises four identical cylindrical caps, eight identical tubular sleeves, four identical 50cm test tubes, four identical 30cm test tubes, and four identical 20cm test tubes. The 50cm, 30cm, and 20cm test tubes are connected by nested sleeves. One end, containing the driving factor, is nested within a cylindrical cap, while the other end is embedded in a flange on the side of the earthworm release box. The earthworm release box 2 consists of a box body and four identical flanges, which are respectively installed on the four sides of the box body. According to experimental requirements, the 50cm, 30cm, and 20cm test tubes can be combined to form the required lengths, thereby studying the effects of the driving factor on earthworms at different distances. Different types of soil can be filled inside the test tubes to study the effects of different soil types on earthworm movement and the resulting soil structure. All test tubes are made of PVC and have a diameter of 20cm. After disassembly, they can be placed in an industrial nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer, allowing for photographic study of the pore structure and soil porosity formed by earthworm movement without damaging the soil. The holes in the test tube allow for ventilation, preventing the earthworms from suffocating.

[0050] The temperature and humidity detection and control system includes four touch display modules and four temperature and humidity sensors. The touch display modules are attached to the outer side wall of the earthworm release box, and the temperature and humidity sensors are inserted into the inner wall of the test cantilever and connected to the touch display modules. The touch display modules include a display screen, a switch, indicator lights, and a control box. The display screen is installed in the center of the control box, the switch is installed on the lower left side of the control box, and the indicator lights are installed on the upper part of the control box. The temperature and humidity sensors display the collected temperature and humidity data on the display screen, and the temperature and humidity of the soil placed in the test cantilever can be determined from the displayed data.

[0051] Four identical heating and humidifying devices were inserted into the inner walls of four experimental cantilever arms. The heating and humidifying devices were hollow copper tubes. Heating could change the temperature of the soil placed in the experimental cantilever arm, and adding water could inject water into the soil placed in the experimental cantilever arm to change the soil humidity, thereby simulating soil temperature and humidity under different environments and studying the effects of temperature and humidity on earthworm movement and soil structure construction.

[0052] The top cover includes a cover plate and a light source. The light source is installed in the center of the cover plate. The cover plate has 8 ventilation holes around the light source. The light source can stimulate earthworms to burrow into the soil, and the ventilation holes can prevent earthworms from suffocating due to lack of oxygen, while also stimulating earthworms to burrow into the soil.

[0053] The light source includes an LED light and a switch. The LED light and the switch are connected and installed in the hole in the center of the cover plate. The LED light is on the lower side of the cover plate, and the switch is on the upper side of the cover plate.

Claims

1. An experimental device for earthworms constructing macroporous soil structures under driven conditions, characterized in that, It comprises a test box assembly (A), a test cantilever (B), a temperature and humidity detection system (C) and a heating and humidifying device (D); The test box assembly (A) comprises a top cover (1) and an earthworm releasing box (2); The test cantilever (B) comprises four identically-structured round covers (3), eight identically-structured pipe sleeves (4), four identically-structured 50cm test tubes (5), four identically-structured 30cm test tubes (6) and four identically-structured 20cm test tubes (7). The temperature and humidity detection and control system (C) comprises four touch display modules (8) and four temperature and humidity sensors (9). The test box assembly (A) is a cube with a side length, the top cover (1) is buckled on the earthworm releasing box (2), the 50cm test tube (5), the 30cm test tube (6) and the 20cm test tube (7) are connected by nesting the pipe sleeves (4), one end of which is nested with the round cover (3) and the other end is embedded in the flange (13) on the side of the earthworm releasing box (2), the touch display module (8) is pasted on the outer wall of the side of the earthworm releasing box (2), the temperature and humidity sensor (9) is inserted into the inner wall of the test cantilever (B) and connected to the touch display module (8) at the same time, and the four identical heating and humidifying devices (D) are inserted into the inner walls of the four test cantilevers (B).

2. The test apparatus for observing the earthworms' construction of soil macropore structure under driving conditions according to claim 1, wherein The top cover (1) comprises a cover plate (10) and a light source (11). The light source (11) is installed in the middle of the cover plate (10), and the cover plate (10) has eight air holes around the light source (11).

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus is characterized by: The earthworm releasing box (2) comprises a box body (12) and four identical flanges (13). The four identical flanges (13) are respectively installed on the four sides of the box body (12).

4. The apparatus for testing the earthworms' construction of soil macropore structure under driving conditions according to claim 2, wherein the apparatus further comprises a soil container for containing the soil and the earthworms. The light source (11) comprises an LED lamp (14) and a switch (15). The LED lamp (14) is connected with the switch (15) and installed in the hole in the middle of the cover plate (10), the LED lamp (14) is below the cover plate (10), and the switch (15) is above the cover plate (10).

5. The apparatus for testing the earthworms' construction of soil macropore structure under driving conditions according to claim 1, wherein, The touch display module (8) comprises a display screen (16), a switch (17), an indicator light (18) and a control box (19). The display screen (16) is installed in the middle of the control box (19), the switch (17) is installed on the left side of the control box (19) and below, and the indicator light (18) is installed on the upper part of the control box (19).

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