Non-Destructive Detection Of Moisture Content In Orchardgrass (Dactylis Glomerate L.) Silage In Wrapped Round Bales Using Microstrip Transmission Line Sensor And Its Transmitted Microwaves

This paper demonstrates a non-destructive method for measuring the moisture content of silage in wrapped round bales (WRBs) via microwave signals using a microstrip transmission line (MSTL) sensor and vector network analyzer under outdoor conditions. We analyzed the relationships between the amplitude changes (Delta alpha) and phase shifts (Delta phi) of the microwave-transmitted signals from the WRB surfaces without tearing their films. The press MSTL method was strongly suggested over the touch MSTL method for the non-destructive measurement of WRB qualities. We also obtained strongly negative and significant correlations between the slopes of the linear regression lines (Delta phi-Delta alpha ratios) and moisture contents for frequencies in the range of 3.6-6.2 GHz. Thus, in this frequency zone, the press MSTL method can be effectively used to determine the moisture content of silage in WRBs.