Key Technologies of Plug Tray Seedling Transplanters in Protected Agriculture: A Review

Abstract

The process of plug tray seedling transplanting is a crucial step in protected agriculture production. Due to issues such as high labor intensity, poor consistency of work quality, and low efficiency, the application of automated transplanting machines has provided a solution to these issues. For the diversity of transplanting operations, various mechanical structures and technological applications have been developed for automated transplanting equipment. Therefore, this paper provides systematic research of current studies on the key transplanter technologies. Firstly, through an analysis of the types of transplanting operations, the technical requirements of automated transplanting equipment for different operation types are elucidated. Subsequently, the key technologies applied in transplanting machines are discussed from the perspectives of substrate physical characteristics, end effectors, integration of multiple end effectors, vision systems, and transplanting path planning. Moreover, an analysis is conducted on the advantages, disadvantages, and application scenarios of different research methods for each key technology. Lastly, the existing problems and technical difficulties of the transplanting machine are summarized, and future research directions are discussed. This analysis provides a valuable reference for further research and development in the field of transplanting machines for plug tray seedlings.