Study on Contact Stress Distribution Characteristics and Damage of Plug Seedlings Based on Flexible Pressure Sensor

At present, there is a problem that the growth quality is reduced due to damage to the plug seedling pot during the transplanting process. In this study, the pressure distribution measurement system was used to measure the contact area of plug seedlings when they collided with the ground. The effects of seedling age and forward speed on the characteristics of contact stress distribution and potting damage were investigated through a single-factor experiment. The results were comprehensively considered based on the single-factor test, and the Box–Behnken test was used to optimize the design. The matrix loss rate was used as the evaluation index to determine the optimal parameter combination for transplanting: the tray specification was 72, the seedling age was 30 d, and the forward speed was 1.25 km·h(−1). This study can provide a reference and technical support for further research on pot damage in plug seedling transplanting. The optimized parameters can provide practical guidance for reducing pot damage and improving growth quality during transplanting plug seedlings.