DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT OF ELECTRONIC SEED METERING MECHANISM FOR PRECISION PLANTING OF SEEDS
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Date
2012
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MPUAT, Udaipur
Abstract
Precision agriculture is the application of technologies and principles to manage spatial and temporal variability associated with all aspects of agricultural production for the purpose of improving crop performance and environmental quality. Success in precision agriculture is related to how well it can be applied to assess, manage, and evaluate the space-time continuum in crop production. This theme is used here to assess the current and potential capabilities of precision agriculture. The sensor system in the machine helps in proper metering of seeds and thus further reduces the losses. The precision planting of crops is progressing in the country, however there is no indigenous precision planting machines available in the country. Some imported substitutes are available but being too costly are beyond the reach of common farmers. Therefore development of a prototype through electronic metering of seeds would be an indigenous and cost effective substitute for imported planters.
A project was undertaken to develop an electronic metering system for precision planting of seeds. The metering unit was done by inclined plate metering unit and was driven by a DC motor whose speed can be easily regulated by the use of a potentiometer. The metering unit was synchronized with the forward speed of the tractor with the help of proximity sensor and micro controller. The developed metering unit was tested in the laboratory for three types of seed, viz Ground nut, Maize and Soyabean at various tractor forward speeds of 2.5, 3 and 3.5 Km/hr. The seed spacing, seed rate and seed breakage was calculated over greased seed belt and the results were statistically analyzed. Depending on the results a seven row planter was fabricated and was operated in the field.
The laboratory results showed a decrease in seed to seed spacing with an increase in metering plate rpm at a constant tractor forward speed. The seed rate on the other hand increased with metering plate rpm with constant tractor forward speed. The seed breakage was found minimum at lower metering plate rpm. The results were at par when the planter was operated in field conditions. The seed to seed spacing and seed rate was found relevant to the desired levels.
Description
DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT OF ELECTRONIC SEED METERING MECHANISM FOR PRECISION PLANTING OF SEEDS
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Citation
KOLEY, 2012