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DEVELOPMENT OF INCLINED PLATE SEED
METERING MECHANISM FOR SYSTEM OF
CHICKPEA INTENSIFICATION
M.Tech. (Agril.Engg.) Thesis
by
Shubham Sinha
DEPARTMENT OF FARM MACHINERY AND POWER
ENGINEERING
S.V.COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING AND
TECHNOLOGY
FACULTY OF AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING
INDIRA GANDHI KRISHI VISHWAVIDYALAYA
RAIPUR (Chhattisgarh)
2018
DEVELOPMENT OF INCLINED PLATE SEED
METERING MECHANISM FOR SYSTEM OF
CHICKPEA INTENSIFICATION
Thesis
Submitted to the
Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Raipur
by
Shubham Sinha
IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS
FOR THE DEGREE OF
Master of Technology
In
Agricultural Engineering
(Farm Machinery and Power Engineering)
Roll No: 220116024 ID No: 20161725062
JULY, 2018
i
ii
TABLE OF CONTENT
Chapter Title Page
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT i
TABLE OF CONTENTS ii
LIST OF TABLES viii
LIST OF FIGURES x
LIST OF NOTATIONS xii
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS xiii
ABSTRACT xiv
I INTRODUCTION 1
1.1 Sowing Method of Chickpea 1
1.2 System of Chickpea Intensification (SCI) Method of Sowing 2
1.3 Inclined Plate Planter 2
1.4 Inclined Metering Mechanism 3
1.5 Justification 4
II REVIEW OF LITERATURE 6
2.1 Physical Properties of Seeds 6
2.2 Development of Inclined Metering Mechanism 7
2.3 Metering Mechanism of Planter 8
2.4 Existing Planters and Seed Drill 10
2.5 Cost and Energy Analysis 13
III MATERIALS AND METHODS 15
3.1 Physical Characteristics of chickpea Seeds 15
3.1.1 Measurement of average length (L), width (W) and
thickness (T)
15
3.1.2 Geometric mean diameter (Dp) 17
3.1.3 Sphericity () 17
3.1.4 Aspect ratio 17
iii
Chapter Title Page
3.1.5 Surface area 18
3.1.6 Mass of chickpea seeds 18
3.1.7 Bulk density of chickpea seeds 18
3.1.8 True density 18
3.1.9 Porosity 19
3.1.10 Moisture content of the chickpea seeds 19
3.2 Design of Seed Metering Mechanism 20
3.2.1 Design consideration about machine 20
3.2.2 Design of inclined plate for chickpea seeds 21
3.2.3 Design of Seed Tubes 22
3.2.4 Design of seed metering plate 23
3.2.5 Design of seed box 24
3.2.6 Design of the fertilizer box 24
3.2.7 Power transmission system 24
3.2.7.1 Speed ratio 26
3.3 Constructional Details 27
3.3.1 Frame 27
3.3.2 Drive mechanism 27
3.3.3 Three point hitching system 27
3.3.4 Overall assembly 27
3.4 Evaluation of Developed Inclined Plate Planter 28
3.4.1 Independent and dependent test variables 28
3.4.1.1 Inclination of seed box 29
3.4.2 Dependent variables 29
3.4.3 Laboratory test 29
3.4.3.1 Calibration of inclined plate planter 29
3.4.3.2 Theoretical seed rate (Rst) 32
3.4.3.3 Seeding mass rate ) 32
iv
Chapter Title Page
3.4.3.4 Seed metering efficiency 33
3.4.3.5 Seed Spacing 33
3.4.3.6 Number of seeds per hill 33
3.4.3.7 Seed damage 34
3.4.3.8 Mean spacing 34
3.4.3.9 Multiple Index 34
3.4.3.10 Miss Index 34
3.4.3.11 Quality of feed Index 35
3.4.4 Seed Germination Test 35
3.5 Field Experiment 36
3.5.1 Soil parameters 38
3.5.1.1 Moisture content 38
3.5.1.2 Bulk density 39
3.5.1.3 Cone Index (penetration test) 39
3.5.2 Machine parameters 40
3.5.2.1 Speed of operation 40
3.5.2.2 Theoretical field capacity 41
3.5.2.3 Effective field capacity 41
3.5.2.4 Field efficiency 41
3.5.2.5 Fuel consumption 41
3.5.3 Agronomical measurement 42
3.5.3.1 Plant population 42
3.5.3.2 Plant height 42
3.5.3.3 Branches 43
3.5.3.4 Pods 43
3.5.3.5 Weight 46
3.5.3.6 Grain yield 47
3.5.3.7 Stalk yield 47
v
Chapter Title Page
3.6 Cost of Operation 47
3.6.1 Fixed cost 47
3.6.1.1 Depreciation 47
3.6.1.2 Interest 48
3.6.1.3 Insurance, taxes and shelter 48
3.6.2 Variable Cost 48
3.6.2.1 Fuel 48
3.6.2.2 Oil 48
3.6.2.3 Repair and maintenance 49
3.6.2.4 Wages and Labour charges 49
IV RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 50
4.1 Average Physical Dimensions of the Chickpea Seeds 50
4.1.1 Size and unit mass of Chickpea seeds 50
4.2 Laboratory testing of Inclined Plate Planter 52
4.2.1 Calibration of inclined plate planter 52
4.2.2 Theoretical seed rate (Rst) 53
4.2.3 Seeding mass rate ) 53
4.2.4 Seed metering efficiency 54
4.2.5 Seed Germination Percentage 54
4.3 Measures of Accuracy of the Metering Mechanism 54
4.3.1 Mean spacing 54
4.3.2 Multiple Index 55
4.3.3 Missing Index 56
4.3.4 Quality of feed Index 57
4.3.5 Seed damage 58
4.3.6 Theoretical spacing between seed 58
4.3.7 Number of seeds per hill and distance between seed 59
4.4 Soil Properties 60
vi
Chapter Title Page
4.4.1 Bulk density of soil 60
4.4.2 Moisture content of soil 61
4.4.3 Cone Index 61
4.5 Field Performance 62
4.5.1 Field capacity and field efficiency of the machine 62
4.5.1.1 Speed of operation 62
4.5.1.2 Theoretical field capacity 62
4.5.1.3 Effective field capacity 63
4.5.1.4 Field efficiency 63
4.6 Agronomical Parameters 63
4.6.1 Plant Population 64
4.6.2 Plant height 65
4.6.3 Branches 66
4.6.4 Pods 67
4.6.5 Test weight 68
4.6.6 Grain yield 69
4.6.7 Stalk yield 70
4.7 Energy Analysis 71
4.8 Economic Analysis 72
4.9 Comparison with other Sowing Methods 72
V SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS 74
REFERENCES 77
APPENDICES 82
APPENDIX-A 82
APPENDIX-B 86
APPENDIX-C 87
APPENDIX-D 92
APPENDIX-E 93
vii
Chapter Title Page
APPENDIX-F 96
APPENDIX-G 107
APPENDIX-H 108
RESUME 114
viii
LIST OF FIGURES
S. No. Title Page No.
3.1 Grain of chickpea 16
3.2 Measurement length, width and thickness of chickpea seeds by
using Vernier scale
16
3.3 Weighing of 1000 grain chickpea 16
3.4 Details of seed metering plate 22
3.5 Seed metering plate with two seeds in each cell 22
3.6 Area of cell 23
3.7 Line diagram of power transmission system for inclined plate
planter
25
3.8 Orthographic representation of developed inclined plate planter 25
3.9 Calibration of developed inclined plate planter 31
3.10 (a) Measurement of inclination of seed box Fig 10 (b) Two seeds
picking from seed box by developed metering mechanism
32
3.11 Seed spacing by operating developed inclined plate planter 33
3.12 Layout of experiment 36
3.13 Land preparation 37
3.14 Manual sowing of chickpea 37
3.15 Sowing of chickpea by developed inclined plate planter 38
3.16 Measurement of plant population per square meter 42
3.17 Measurement of plant height 43
3.18 Chickpea crop before and after harvesting 43
3.19 Measurement of row spacing of chickpea seeds 44
3.20 Measurement of agronomical parameters of chickpea sown by
ridge and furrow inclined plate planter
44
3.21 Field of chickpea crop sown by ridge and furrow inclined plate
planter
44
3.22 Field of chickpea crop sown by multi-crop inclined plate 45
ix
planter
3.23 Field of chickpea crop (manually sown) 45
3.24 Field of chickpea crop sown by Y-tube type inclined plate
planter
46
3.25 Field of chickpea sown by developed inclined plate planter 46
4.1 Seed rate Vs Angle of seed box 53
4.2 Spacing between seed spacing at different angle of developed
inclined plate planter
55
4.3 Multiple index at different inclination of seed box 56
4.4 Missing index at different inclination of seed box 56
4.5 Feed Index (%) at different angle of seed box of developed
inclined plate planter
57
4.6 Seed damage at different angle (%) 58
4.7 Number of seeds per hill, distance between seeds per hill (cm)
and seed spacing (cm) of developed inclined plate planter
60
4.8 Plant height at 30 DAS, 60 DAS, 90 DAS and at Harvest 65
4.9 Number of branches at 30 DAS, 60 DAS and 90 DAS 66
4.10 Number of pods at different treatment 67
4.11 Test weight of samples of different treatment 68
4.12 Grain yield of different treatment 69
4.13 Stalk yield q/ha, at different treatments 70
x
LIST OF TABLES
S. No. Title Page No.
3.1 Selection of material for design of inclined plate planter 21
3.2 Specification of inclined plate 21
3.3 Specification of inclined plate planter 28
4.1 Physical parameter of chickpea seeds 51
4.2 Physical Properties of different observations 52
4.3 Seed rate at different angle of developed inclined plate planter 52
4.4 Germination percentage of chickpea seeds 54
4.5 Seed spacing at different angle of developed inclined plate
planter
55
4.6 Multiple Index at different angle of developed inclined plate
planter
55
4.7 Missing Index at different angle of developed inclined plate
planter
57
4.8 Quality of feed Index of developed inclined plate planter 57
4.9 Seed damage at different angle of developed inclined plate
planter
58
4.10 Number of seeds per hill and distance between seed of
developed inclined plate planter
59
4.11 Bulk density of soil 60
4.12 Moisture content of soil 61
4.13 Cone index of experiment field 61
4.14 Speed of operation of developed inclined plate planter 62
4.15 Effective field capacity and field efficiency of developed
inclined plate planter
64
4.16 Plant population of chickpea of different treatment 64
4.17 Plant height of chickpea of different treatment 65
4.18 Branches of chickpea of different treatment 66
xi
4.19 Pods per plant of chickpea of different treatment 67
4.20 Test weight of 1000 grain of chickpea of different treatment 68
4.21 Grain yield of chickpea of different treatment 69
4.22 Stalk yield of chickpea of different treatment 70
4.23 Energy requirement of developed inclined plate planter 71
4.24 Operational cost of the developed inclined plate planter 72
4.25 Field capacity, field efficiency, energy required and cost of
operation of different sowing method
73
xii
LIST OF NOTATIONS/SYMBOLS
acre
a.i.
cm
°
°C
Φ
g
ha
hp
h
kW
kg
kJ
km
l
MJ
MPa
m
mm
mha
-
min.
N
%
+
rpm
₹
s
t
acre
active ingredient
centimeter
Degree
Degree Centigrade
diameter
gram
hectare
horse power
Hour
kiloWatt
kilogram
kilo Joule
kilometer
liter
Mega joule
Mega Pascal
meter
millimeter
million hectare
Minus
minute
Newton
Percentage
Plus
rotation per minute
Rupees
second
tone
xiii
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS
AFC Actual Field Capacity
AICRP All India Coordinated Research Project
ANOVA Analysis of Variance
ANSYS Analysis System
BIS Bureau of Indian Standard
CV Coefficient of variance
CAD Computer Aided Design
CIAE Central Institute of Agricultural Engineering
et al. and others
Fig. Figure
FOS Factor of Safety
GI Galvanized Iron
ICAR Indian Council of Agricultural Research
MS Mild Steel
NE North East
DAS Day after sowing
ICM Integrated Crop Management
RBD Randomized block design
SD Standard deviation
TFC Theoretical field capacity
xiv
xv
seed. Based on the result of laboratory testing, field test was done at inclination angle
45o of seed box for seed. Developed inclined plate planter (T1) was compared with Y-
tube type inclined plate planter (T2), manual sowing (T3), ridge and furrow inclined
plate planter (T4), multi-crop inclined plate planter (T5) in terms agronomical
parameters and cost of operation was calculated.
After measurement the physical properties of chickpea i.e. average aspect ratio,
surface area, bulk density, true density, moisture content and porosity of chickpea
were observed 75.54 %, 157.379 mm2, 709.55 kg/m
3, 875.50 kg/m
3 , 19.81 % and
18.62 % respectively. Mean spacing was found more accurate in 45o inclination of
seed box form horizontal which was 20.03 cm, seed rate was minimum at that angle
i.e. 40.51 kg/ha followed by 41.25 kg/ha and 41.28 kg/ha at 50o and 60
o angle of seed
box. Multiple Index was found minimum at 45o where the mean was 7.17 % followed
by 7.57 % and 7.87 % at 50o and 60
o angle of seed box. Minimum missing Index was
found at 45o angle of seed box. Average missing Index observed during operation
were 3.75 %, 4.58 % and 4.02 % at 45o, 50
o and 60
o angle of seed box respectively.
Average seed damage of developed inclined plate planter observed during operation
was 0.23 %, 0.48 % and 0.54 % at 45o, 50
o and 60
o angle of seed box respectively.
The average speed of operation, field capacity and field efficiency of
developed inclined plate planter were observed 3.5 km/h, 0.45 ha and 63.63 %
respectively. Plant height was found highest in T1 at 30 DAS, 60 DAS, 90 DAS and at
harvest i.e. 20.28 cm, 35.75 cm, 46.00 cm and 58.05 cm respectively followed by T2,
T4, T5 and T3 respectively. Pods per plant were found highest in T1 i.e.115.27 followed
by T2 , T3 , T5 and T4 i.e. 113.38, 107.60, 107.11 and 105.62 respectively. Maximum
grain yield of chickpea was found in T1 which was 2826.67 kg/ha and minimum was
observed in T4 i.e. 2317.09 kg/ha. Grain yield of T1 was found 18.63%, 3.26%, 21.99
% and 20.45 % greater than the T2, T3, T4 and T5 respectively. Cost of operation of
developed inclined plate planter was calculated ₹ 1228.33 /- per hectare and energy
requirement was 590.52 MJ/ha.
xvi
xvii
eki ds ckn pus ds vkSlr igyw vuqikr] lrg {ks=] Fkksd ?kuRo] okLrfod ?kuRo] ueh lkexzh vkSj
pEep dh fNærk ds HkkSfrd xq.k 75-54%] 157-379 feeh2] 0-7095 xzke@feyh yhVj] 0-872 xzke@feyh
yhVj] Øe'k% 19-83% vkSj 18-62% çkIr fd;s x,A cht c‚Dl {kSfrt ds 45o >qdko esa 45 fMxzh >qdko
esa chtks ds eè; vkSlr varj dks vfèkd lVhd ik;k x;k ] tks fd 20-03 lseh Fkk] ml dks.k ij cht nj
U;wure 40-51 fdyks/gSDVj Fkh] blds ckn cht c‚Dl ds 500 vkSj 60
0 dks.k ij 41-25 fdyks/gSDVj vkSj
41-28 fdyks/gSDVj ik;k x;kA ,dkfèkd lwpdkad 450 ij de ls de ik;k x;k Fkk] tgka bldk eku 7-
17% Fkk] blds ckn 500 vkSj 60
0 dks.k ij Øe'k% 7-57% vkSj 7-87% çkIr gqvkA U;wure ykirk lwpdkad
cht c‚Dl ds 450 dks.k ij ik;k x;k FkkA lapkyu ds nkSjku ns[kk x;k vkSlr ykirk lwpdkad Øe'k% 45
0]
50o vkSj 600 dks.k cht c‚Dl ij 3-75%] 4-58% vkSj 4-02% FkkA v‚ijs'ku ds nkSjku euk, x, fodflr
>qdko IysV IysaVj dk vkSlr cht {kfr Øe'k% 450] 50
0 vkSj 60
0 dks.k cht c‚Dl ij 0-23%] 0-48% vkSj
0-54% FkkA
lapkyu dh vkSlr xfr] {ks= {kerk vkSj fodflr >qdh gqà IysV IysaVj dh {ks= n{krk Øe'k% 3-5
fdeh@?kaVk] 0-44 gsDVs;j vkSj 63-63% ns[kh xÃA ikSèks dh Åapkà Vh 1 esa 30 Mh- ,- ,l-] 60 Mh- ,- ,l-]
9 0 Mh- ,- ,l- ij 20-28 ls. eh. ] 35-75 ls. eh.] 46-00 ls- eh- vkSj 58-05 ls- eh- Øe'k% Vh 2] Vh 4] Vh
5 vkSj Vh 3 ds ckn lcls vfèkd FkhA çfr ikSèks iksM Vh 1 esa Øe'k% Vh 2] Vh 3] Vh 5 vkSj Vh 4 ;kuh 113-
38] 107-60] 107-11 vkSj 105-62 esa ik, x,A pEep dh vfèkdre vukt mit Vh 1 esa feyh Fkh tks fd
2826-67 fdxzk FkkA 1 vkSj U;wure Vh 4 ;kuh 2317-0 9 fdxzk / ?kaVs esa euk;k x;k FkkA Vh 1 dh vukt
mit Øe'k% Vh 2] Vh 3] Vh 4 vkSj Vh 5 dh rqyuk esa 18-63%] 3-26%] 21-99% vkSj 20-45% vfèkd FkhA
fodflr bPNqd IysV IysaVj ds lapkyu dh ykxr dh x.kuk # 1228-33 @ & çfr gsDVs;j vkSj ÅtkZ
vko';drk 590-57 esxk twy@gSDVj FkhA
1
CHAPTER - I
INTRODUCTION
Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is the second-most important pulse crop
after pigeonpea in the World for human diet and other use. It is cultivated in area
of 13.54 million hectares with a total production of 13.10 million tonnes and
average productivity of 967.6 kg/ha (FAO 2013). Chickpea is an important winter
season pulse crop in India grown as a dry pulse crop or as a green vegetable with
the former use being most common. It ranks first in area cultivated in India, grown
over an area of 8.11 million hectares with production of 5.9 million tones with
average productivity of 727 kg/ha (Anonymous, 2016). Madhya Pradesh, Uttar
Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka are the
major chickpea producing states sharing over 95 % area. It is a key source of
protein and it plays an important role in human nutrition for large population in the
developing world. Chickpea valued for its nutritive seeds with high protein content
(18-22 %), carbohydrate (52-70 %), fat (4-10%), fiber (3%), minerals (calcium,
magnesium, phosphorus, iron, zinc) and vitamins. Chickpea also plays a main role
in increasing soil fertility due to its nitrogen fixing ability. Chickpea can fix up to
140 kgN/ha in a growing period (Poonia and Pithia 2013). It leaves substantial
amount of residual nitrogen for subsequent crops and adds plenty of organic matter
to maintain and improve soil health and fertility.
Chhattisgarh state has good agro-ecological situation for chickpea
production. In state it is grown over an area of 356.52 thousand hectares with an
annual production of 433.15 thousand tonnes and an average productivity of 1140
kg/ha (Anonymous, 2016).
1.1 Sowing Method of Chickpea
Generally broadcasting, line sowing behind the plough, dibbling are being
practiced for many past year and are still used by many small and marginal farmers.
Mechanization in the sowing process aids in timely completion of the field
operation increases the field efficiency and economizes cost of cultivation
compared to traditional method of sowing. Use of animals or tractor drawn seed
2
drill for pulses has enabled farmers to cover large areas in short period
economically.
Pandey (2009) reported that the planter provide desired plant population
with uniform plant spacing and depth of operation, which results in uniform crop
stand and hence, reduces the cost of cultivation by eliminating thinning operation
as well as saves seed and fertilizer. Efforts have been done for development of
precision equipment for seeding and planting to meet the crop specific requirement
and agro climatic situations. However, sowing and planting operations for dry land
areas has not attracted attention of researchers. Sowing of chickpea at proper spacing
is required to obtain better yield however, it generally differs with planting time.
The proper combination of spacing and sowing time may enhance the productivity
and profitability of the crop. Successful seeding and sowing depends on accuracy,
precision and uniformity of seed placement.
1.2 System of Chickpea Intensification (SCI) Method of Sowing
System of chickpea intensification produced stable yield of 26-28 q/ha
which is about 40% higher compared to conventional recommended package of
practices. Its seed requirement is 50-55 kg/ha. This technology (SCI) has five
components which are applied in a set. These are: 1. Wider spacing (50 20cm), 2.
Sowing of two seeds per hill, 3. Nipping at 30 days after sowing, 4.Aeration and
mechanical weeding with small hand tools twice at 18-20 and 40-45 days after
sowing is required to keep the field weed free and provides aeration in the root
zone. 5. Controlled irrigation : The chickpea crop is needed to irrigate at sowing
branching and flower initiation stage. Moderate irrigation (5-6 cm) is requires at
sowing and branching (35 DAS) which can be applied through sprinkler or
controlled flood. Light irrigation (4.5 cm) is required at flower initiation (55-60
DAS) and it should be given only through sprinkler. (Department of Agronomy,
IGKV, 2018)
1.3 Inclined Plate Planter
Tractor mounted inclined plate planter is a multi-crop planter for planting
of bold and small seeds which cannot be sown satisfactorily by conventional seed
3
drills. The Planter consists of a frame with tool bar, modular seed boxes; furrow
openers and ground drive wheel system. It has nine modular design seed boxes
with independent inclined plate type seed metering mechanism. Seed plates for
sowing different seeds can be selected and easily changed. The plate thickness,
number and size of cells on seed plate vary according to seed size and desired
plant-to–plant spacing. Shoe type furrow openers ensure deeper seed placement in
moist zone for sowing under dry land conditions. Modular seed box-furrow opener
units are adjustable for sowing seeds at different row-to-row spacing. Drive to seed
metering mechanism is transmitted from ground drive wheel through chain and
sprockets. Ground drive wheel and power transmission system are fixed on the
main frame. An optional fertilizer box with fluted roller type metering system can
also be mounted on the main frame for application of granular fertilizers. The
planter is also suitable for sowing of intercrops as different boxes can be
simultaneously used for planting different seeds. Power from ground wheel is
transmitted to the counter drive shaft through a set of chain and sprockets. Another
set of sprockets on the counter shaft transmits the power to main drive shaft. Main
drive shaft drives the individual drive shafts of modular seed boxes through sets of
chain and sprockets and these shafts in turn rotate the inclined seed metering plates
through a set of bevel gears. Drive ratio between ground drive wheel and seed plate
can be changed, by selecting appropriate size of sprocket on wheel axle or on
counter and main drive shafts. Seeds are filled in the first compartment of seed
box. Flow of seeds to seed metering compartment is controlled through the
adjustable opening so as to keep the seed level in metering compartment up to
centre of seed plate for effective picking of seeds.
1.4 Inclined Metering Mechanism
The numerous crops are grown and the success of crop production depends
on timely seeding of these crops with reduced drudgery of farm labor. With the
introduction of subsidy for various agricultural implements and non-availability of
sufficient farm labor, various models of tractor drawn sowing implements
becoming popular in dry land regions of India. It is necessary for seeds to be
placed at equal intervals within rows. In manual seeding with conventional
4
practice, the higher and non-uniform plant population adversely affect grain yield
of different crops.
A number of metering units, varying in configuration and mechanism, have
been developed for different crops. The main metering mechanism for both mass and
single seed metering are fluted roller, internal double run, agitator and horizontal plate,
inclined plate, vertical rotor, pneumatic seed metering respectively.
The ultimate objective of seed planting using improved sowing equipment
is to achieve precise seed distribution within the row. The achievement of the set
seed 4 spacing majorly depends on the machine technical variables such as the type
of seed pickup mechanism, the machine operating speed, overall gear ratio
between drive wheel and seed rotor, and to some extent on seed quality. Although
there are many planters having different seed metering mechanisms, the
application of single seed metered plate mechanisms (horizontal, vertical and
inclined plate) has increased rapidly due to better seeding performance than that of
other mechanical rotors. However, in recent times due to climate variability and
lack of sufficient moisture in the soil for reasonably sufficient time in the sowing
window period, farmers are preferring to operate the planters at higher speeds to
complete the sowing operation of various rainfed crops within a short period.
1.5 Justification
Sowing of chickpea using SCI method developed by IGKV Raipur is done
manually which is time consuming, labour intensive and it fails to maintain
accurate row to row and plant to plant spacing which directly affects the crop yield
and also the cost involved is high. So, to mechanize and tackle the problem faced
above, a planter with suitable metering mechanism can be used. An inclined plate
metering mechanism was taken for our case. But for SCI method two seed per hill
should be dropped, which is not satisfied by the planters available in the market.
So there was a need to modify the existing inclined plate so that it can hold two
seeds at a time in single cell which results in dropping of two seeds per hill as
required for SCI method. Keeping all the above problems and rectification required
5
the study entitled “Development of Inclined Plate Seed Metering Mechanism for
System of Chickpea Intensification” was undertaken with following objectives:
1. To develop seed metering mechanism for dropping of two seeds per hill.
2. To evaluate performance of modified device under laboratory and field
condition.
3. To workout cost economics of modified system.
6
CHAPTER - II
REVIEW OF LITERATURE
2.1 Physical Properties of Seeds
Ghadge et al. (2008) evaluated chickpea split of variety PBG-1 for their
basic physical properties that are often required in order to design production
processes, equipment and evaluation of the effect of processing on nutrients, at a
moisture content of 12.97 ± 0.30% (dry basis). The average split length, width and
thickness dimensions were 6.25, 5.31 and 2.91 mm, respectively. The geometric
mean diameter, unit mass, sphericity and true density were 4.58 mm, 0.067 g,
73.46% and 1.202 g/ml respectively. However, static coefficient of friction varied
on three different surfaces from 0.30 on galvanized steel sheet, 0.43 on Plywood to
0.45 on glass with splits perpendicular to direction of motion, while the angle of
repose was 31.86°.
Ayman et al. (2010) reported that the moisture-dependent physical
properties are important in designing and fabricating equipment and structures for
handling, transporting, processing and storage, and also for assessing quality. This
study was carried out to determine the effect of moisture content on some physical
and mechanical properties for two varieties of chickpea seeds (Giza 3, and Giza
195). The average penetration depth at load 6kg and tools diameter 1 mm was
determined as mechanical property, and generally increased in magnitude with an
increase in moisture content. The physical properties were linearly dependent upon
moisture content.
Salah et al. (2014) observed that physical and mechanical properties of
food crops gain importance during design, improvement and optimization of
separation and cleaning. The objective of this work was comparing some physical
properties between four varieties of chickpea seeds (Kaka, Pirooz, ILC and Jam).
From each variety, 100 seeds were selected randomly and the length, width,
thickness, geometric mean diameter, arithmetic mean diameter, surface area,
sphericity, mass, true density, bulk density and porosity of them were measured.
7
Analysis of the statistical parameters for each variety shows that the Jam and Kaka
variety respectively presented high and low mean values for all of the geometric
properties except sphericity, whose the high mean value belongs to ILC. The
maximum values of bulk density and true density among the varieties were
obtained for kaka and jam had the highest porosity. The results of this research can
be used for design and adjustment of agricultural machines of these varieties and
recognition and classification of them.
2.2 Development of Inclined Metering Mechanism
Yadachi et al. (2013) developed and evaluated the inclined plate metering
mechanism for singulation and uniform placement of carrot seeds with different
treatment viz. uncoated, biogas slurry and thirame coated. Metering device was
tested at three inclinations of 40°, 50°and 60° using plates having cells with three
shapes viz. triangular, semi-circular and slant cells. The selection of plate
inclination and type of metering cell for the planter was based on average spacing,
miss index, multiple index and quality of feed index. Research result showed that
the slant type cell plate at inclination of 50° was better for sowing of coated seed of
carrot.
Ningthoujam et al. (2016) developed and evaluated the inclined plate
metering device for onion bulb planter and its performance was evaluated in CAE,
Lab, JNKVV, Jabalpur. It was found that elevating error was minimum (1.51 %) at
the metering plate inclination of 50° compared to 60° and 70° at the peripheral
speed of 7.6 m/ min. The cell fill was maximum (100.38 %) due to double feed at
the inclination angle of 50° compared to 60° and 70° at the peripheral speed of 7.6
m/min but the bulb damage was found nil at the inclination angle 50º at a
peripheral speed 7.6 m/min. The bulb damage increases with an increase in
peripheral speed of the rotor and actual planting distance, mean planting distance,
planting error was minimum 10.79 cm, 11.08 cm, 1.92 cm respectively, with a
maximum feed index of (93.17%) at minimum travel speed 0.6 km/h. However,
the actual planting distance, mean planting distance, planting error increased and
feed index decreased with the increase in travel speed, but the cell fill % decreased
with the increase in peripheral speed at all inclination positions.
8
2.3 Metering Mechanism of Planter
Kirschmann (1966) studied on feeding mechanism for seed apparatus for
evenly distributing seed from a seed or grain hopper of a planting machine
comprising a plurality of guide cups disposed under spaced apart discharge
apparatus in the bottom of the seed hopper, the guide cups being contoured to
house rotatable supported metering wheels and cooperating therewith to form
outwardly converging seed metering passages through which seeds are conveyed
by transverse pockets formed in the periphery of the metering wheels. The
metering wheels are mounted on a drive shaft which is adjustable relative to curved
bottom portions of the guide cups, whereby the size of the seed metering
passageway between the periphery of the metering wheels and said curved bottom
portions may be varied to accommodate different sizes of seeds.
Short and Harber (1970) designed fabricated and tested metering devices in
laboratory for a planetary motion device. Test showed that the per cent of
theoretical drop was almost independent of operating speed. Orifice velocity was a
critical factor in picking up one seed at a time. In one of the better tests, the
nozzles, delivering seeds at rates from 1 to 6 seeds per sec. had one seed attached
80 per cent of the time and two seeds attached 20 per cent of time.
Nave and Paulsen (1979) compared five different models of seed metering
devices for accuracy of the space between planted seeds and mechanical damage to
the seeds. They concluded that there was no significant difference between
metering systems for seed breakage and seed germination. They also found that the
fluted roller meter had the maximum fluctuation for seed spacing.
Kumar et al. (1986) designed and developed animal drawn cultivator with
seeding attachment having seed metering mechanism of fluted roller type. The
capacity of M.S. seed box was 25 kg. Seed tubes were of polythene material
having 2 cm diameter. The seed drops were 149,114, 76 and 36 kg/ha at full, 3/4
and 1/4 exposed length of the fluted roller respectively with average breakage of
seeds 1.8 per cent.
9
Varshney et al., (1991) reported the development of power tiller drawn
seed-cum fertilizer drill with fluted roller type metering mechanism. Laboratory
tests of metering wheat, Bengal Chickpea, soybean and sorghum for uniformity of
distribution, mechanical damage to the seed and capacity showed that maximum
deviation of seed delivery was 4percent. Mechanical damage was observed only in
Bengal Chickpea seed and capacity was sufficient to cope with the recommended
application for the crops of the region.
Kachman & Smith Jha (1995) For a planter using a single seed metering
mechanism, the ability to place seeds a given distance apart in a row is an
important factor in evaluating a planter's performance. Data collected to measure a
planter's accuracy often consist of a series of distances between plants. The
distance between plants within a row is influenced by a number of factors
including multiple seeds dropped at the same time, failure of a seed to be dropped,
failure of a seed to emerge, and variability around the drop point. The objective of
this article is to compare alternative measures of accuracy in seed placement for
planters using single seed metering mechanisms. The measures compared are the
mean, standard deviation, quality of feed index, multiples index, miss index, and
precision. Of the measures considered, both the mean and standard deviation were
judged to be inappropriate measures of accuracy.
Singh et al. (2012) evaluated a commercial bed planter and CIAE inclined
plate planter were for planting of chickpea and pigeonpea to assess their suitability.
The commercial and CIAE incline plate planter have resulted in a mean plant
spacing of 115 mm and 136 mm, respectively for Kabuli chickpea against the set
spacing of 100 mm. The missing and multiple seed percentage were 15.3% and
7.7% for commercial bed planter as compared to 27.2% and 9.1% in CIAE
inclined plate planter, respectively. Uniform depth of seed placement was obtained
for both the planters which were within the permissible range of 50-60 mm for
chickpea and pigeonpea.
Ghosal and Pradhan (2013) conducted an experiment on low cost manually
operated multi crop seed drill with suitable dimensions of cup, in cup feed
metering mechanism for a particular crop. the experiments it was found that the
10
dimensions of cup i.e. 6 mm x 2.89 mm was found to be best and was used
successfully up to a peripheral speed of 18.84 m/min. Considering seed rate
deviation, seed distribution and seed damage. The actual field capacity of the seed
drill was 0.063 ha/h with a field efficiency of 78.75 per cent and there was a net
savings of Rs. 1780.00 per hectare for green gram in comparison to the local
traditional practice.
2.4 Existing Planters and Seed Drill
Bansal et al. (1994) developed a tractor-mounted inclined plate planter for
sowing chickpeas, maize and sunflower crops which could not be sown
satisfactorily with standard grain drills. Field experiments were conducted to
determine potential benefits of using the planter compared to the conventional
practice of sowing chickpeas by hand behind an animal-drawn plough. The
planterwas found to give 30 % economy and produce better grain and straw yields
due to a more uniform crop stand. The benefit would be greater if rows could be
narrowed to 30 cm from 50-60 cm.
Garg et al. (2002) developed a tractor operated multi-crop planter in
Department of Farm Power and Machinery, Punjab Agricultural University,
Ludhiana. The machine consisted of a planting attachment over a 9-row seed-cum-
fertilizer drill and could plant 7 rows of any crop at a row spacing of 30 cm. The
planting mechanism consisted of vertical plates with spoons and these were
different for different crops. The machine had a capacity of 0.35 to 0.40 ha/h when
operated at a speed of 2.5 to 3 km/h for sowing of different crop. Percentage of
missing grains was almost negligible but at about 20 per cent location seeds
droppedmore than one. Labour requirement for planting varied from 5.5 – 8.5
man/ha.
Dubey (2003) suggested on the design criteria and steps of fabrication for
design of sowing machinery. The materials and specification of different parts like
seed box (hot rolled black sheet 1.0 mm thick/GI sheet 0.5-0.6 mm thick), seed
tubes (polythene tubes 20/25 mm diameter and 2 mm thick transparent or rigid
telescopic tubes), furrow opener (medium carbon steel heat treated to shovel
hardness of 40/45), ground drive wheel (MS flat, round, angle etc. 5-6 mm thick, 8
11
to 12 mm diameter. The calibration of the die cast fluted roller metering device
used in animal drawn drill for applying granular fertilizer indicated inner row
variation from 1.7 to 3.5 percent. This small variation indicated that die cast fluted
roller has better performance accuracy than other devices.
Sultan et al. (2004) designed and developed a power tiller operated inclined
plate multi-crop planter was in Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute,Gazipur
and it was found that the metering unit was uniformly rotated and there was no
missing cell as the constant power from the driving wheel through doc clutch. The
row to row spacing and plant spacing for maize were 75cm and 25cm respectively
and row spacing of wheat was 20cm.the planting capacity was 0.2-0.25 ha/h at the
speed of operation was 2-3 kmph.
Joseph et al., (2008) developed and evaluated the performance of seed
cum-fertilizer seed rill for Chickpea. Results showed that there were saving of 18
to 20 kg of seed per hectare when sown with the newly developed seed drill, which
amounts to a saving of Rs.550 per hectare. The optimum population (34 to 37
plants per sq m) with the help of seed drill will help reduction in competition for
nutrients and the available soil moisture, because of uniform distribution of seed
throughout the field.
Shashi kumar et al. (2011) reported that there was significantly higher seed
yield (21.41 q/ha) of chickpea were recorded in ridges and furrow planting method
(45x10 cm) over other planting methods which may results from significantly
higher growth and seed attributes.
Shrivastava et al. (2012) designed and developed tractor drawn (TD) raised
bed seed drill machine with the help of computer aided design package for
adoption of raised bed technology for farmers, in black cotton soil conditions. This
machine was evaluated and compared with the performance of a zero till drill and
conventional practices at Jawaharlal Nehru Agricultural University farms as well
as at a farmer’s fields for the chickpea sowing. It was found that the total time and
cost required for making raised bed and sowing operations by raised bed planter
was 1.21 h/ha and Rs.358.60 /ha, which is 16.44 per cent less time required than
12
conventional practices of wheat cultivation but is 28.83 per cent more time
required than zero till drill practices. The average yield by tractor raised bed seed
drill was 1482.7 kg/ha .Where as, by conventional practices and tractor drawn zero
till drill was 1139.2 kg/ha and 1211 kg/ha respectively. The soil conditions were
also found better in the case of the T.D. raised bed seed cum fertilizer drill
(SCFD).
Waghmare and Talokar (2013) studied the feasibility of tractor operated
broad bed furrow planter was carried out at College of Agricultural Engineering
and Technology, JalgaonJamod with assistance of Krishi Vigyan Kendra,
JalgaonJamod during 2012-2013. The planter was developed by department of
Farm Power and Machinery, Dr. PDKV, Akola. The planter was tested in
laboratory as per RNAM test code for the crops sunflower, soybean and chickpea,
respectively. The planter was used for preparing broad bed furrows and
simultaneously sowing of seeds on beds. The laboratory test was conducted in
which the average number of plants per metre was observed to be 5.38, 13.79 and
13.33 and plant population 122775, 459770 and 444444 per hectare for sunflower,
soybean and chickpea, respectively. The seed rate was calibrated and found to be
7.7 kg/ha, 78.27 kg/ha and 77.20 kg/ha for sunflower, soybean and chickpea,
respectively. The visible damaged is very less in the planter and found to be 1.5%
for sunflower, 1.41% for soybean and 1.58% for chickpea. The average width of
broad bed and furrow was recorded as 1.95 m, 1.50 m and 1.50 m for sunflower,
soybean and chickpea, respectively. The average row to row spacing was found to
be 45 cm, 30 cm and 30 cm for sunflower, soybean and chickpea, respectively.
Joshi and Shrivastava (2017) modified a tractor drawn (TD) raised bed seed
drill with two beds forever machine, in clay loam soil (vertisol). It was evaluated
and compared with the performance of a raised bed drill with three bed furrows,
zero till drill and conventional practices at Jawaharlal Nehru Agricultural
University farms for the chickpea sowing. It was found that the total time and cost
required for making raised beds and sowing operations by raising bed drill was
1.42 h/ha and Rs.439.77/ha, which is 17.44% and 20.22% less time required than
conventional sowing practices and zero, till drill practices respectively. The
13
average yield by raising bed seed drill was 1211.3 kg/ha. Whereas, by conventional
practices and tractor drawn zero till drill was 1127.83 kg/ha and 1137.8 kg/ha,
respectively. The soil conditions were also found better in the case of the T.D.
Raised bed seed drill machine.
Shrivastava et al. (2018) studied on assessment of raised bed sowing of
chickpea was done during rabi season in the vertisols of Narsinghpur district of
Madhya Pradesh in Central India. The study was conducted for two consecutive
years viz. 2014-15 and 2015-16. Chickpea variety JG-63 was considered for the
study. Average crop yield under the flat bed planting was observed to be 11.95
q/ha whereas the same under the raised bed planting was 15.15 q/ha. Thus an
increase of nearly 28 percent was obtained in crop yield when planted on raised
beds. The average net return in the case of raised bed planting was Rs. 29010/- per
ha whereas that under raised bed planting was observed to be Rs. 42248/- per ha.
Thus an increase of Rs. 13238/- per ha was observed under the raised bed planting.
With regard to B: C ratio the one under raised bed planting (2.67) was found to be
higher than that under the flat bed planting (2.205). Overall the raised bed planting
performed better than the flat bed planting in the case of chickpea in vertisol region
of central India.
2.5 Cost and Energy Analysis
Canakci et al. (2005) examined the energy use pattern and energy output-
input analysis of some field crops (wheat, cotton, maize, sesame) and vegetables
(tomato, melon, watermelon) widely grown in the Antalya Region, which is one of
the most important agricultural centres in Turkey. It was found that the highest
value of the operational inputs was found to be 17,629.5 MJ ha-1
for tomato
cultivation, followed by cotton crop at 14,348 MJ ha-1
and wheat cropat 3735 MJ
ha-1
. Among operational inputs, the highest energy requirement wasfound for
seedbed preparation and irrigation with shares of 13.7–65.1% and 26.3–40.4%
respectively. In the total energy inputs, the maximum energy requirements were
determined for cultivating the tomato and cotton crops with values of 45,596 MJ
ha-1
and 34,891 MJ ha-1
, respectively. Among various energy sources, fertilizer and
14
diesel inputs contained the highest energy with thevalue of 40.1–54.1% and 17.4–
43.1%, respectively.
Hatirlia et al. (2005) conducted a study on econometric analysis of energy
input–output in Turkish agriculture. They concluded that, the total input energy
value increased from 19.6 GJ/ha in 1975 to 45.7 GJ/ha in 2000. The shares of
animal and human energy decreased, but electricity and diesel showed an increase
in the total physical energy over the examined period. High input energy use in the
agricultural production caused an increase in the output energy level rising from
27.1 GJ/ha in 1975 to a level of 39.1 GJ/ha in 2000. Total input energy increased
2.3-fold but the 99 output energy increased only 1.4-fold over the examined period.
Input and output energy levels per hectareincreased from 17.4 and 38.8 GJ/ha in
1975 to 47.4 and 55.8 GJ/ha in 2000,respectively.
Hashem et al. (2011) conducted an analysis of energy use efficiency of
soybean production under different farming technologies. The main objective
ofthis study was to examine the energy use pattern and energy productivity of
soybean production under different farming technologies. Data for the
productionof soybean were collected from 94 randomly selected soybean farms
from Golestan province, Iran, using a face to face questionnaire method. The
population investigated was divided into two groups based on farm machinery
ownership and level of farming technology. Group Ist farmers were 48 owners of
agricultural machinery, practiced under high level of farming technology. Where
as, Group 2nd were 46 non-owners of machinery, operating under low level of
farming technology. The results revealed that 36726.48 MJ ha-1 energy consumed
by Group Ist and 33955.27 MJ ha-1 energy consumed by Group 2nd.Similarly,
total energy output of soybean production was also higher in Group Ithan that of
Group2nd (85757.28 vs. 77506.79 MJ ha-1). The energy indicators were also
investigated and the results showed that energy use efficiency of soybean
production in Group Ist (2.34) was higher than that of Group2nd (2.28).
15
CHAPTER - III
MATERIALS AND METHOD
The inclined plate seed metering mechanism was designed to optimize the
cell size of metering plate for picking two seeds per cell. The details of the
procedure followed in the development of the optimized inclined plate metering
mechanism for chickpea seeds is evaluated both in laboratory as well as in the field
are discussed in this chapter. Seed metering plate and its lab setup was fabricated
in workshop of Faculty of Agricultural Engineering, Raipur.
3.1 Physical Characteristics of Chickpea Seeds
The seeds of chickpea were procured from Department of Agronomy,
Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya (IGKV), Raipur. The shape and size of the
chickpea was ascertained with three perpendicular dimensions, length (L), width
(W) and thickness (T). The physical dimensions were determined randomly
measuring the length, width and thickness of 10 kernels of each seeds using digital
type vernier callipers having least count 0.01 mm (Fig. 3.2). The size and shape of
the seeds will be useful in deciding the size and shape of orifice of metering
mechanism. chickpea seeds, used for the study.
3.1.1 Measurement of average length (L), width (W) and thickness (T)
Average length (L), width (W) and thickness (T) is calculated by using the
expressions as suggested by Singhal et al. (2003).
∑
….. (3.1)
∑
….. (3.2)
∑
…..(3.3)
Where,
L = largest intercept (length), mm;
16
W = width, mm; and
T = thickness, mm
Fig. 3.1 Grain of chickpea
Fig. 3.2 Measurement length, width and thickness of chickpea seeds by using
Vernier scale
Fig.3.3 Weighing of 1000 grain of chickpea
17
3.1.2 Geometric mean diameter (Dp)
The geometric mean diameter (Dp) was calculated by using the following
relationship (Mohsenin, 1986).
( ) ⁄ …..(3.4)
Where,
L = largest intercept (length), mm
W= width, mm
T = Thickness, mm
3.1.3 Sphericity ()
Sphericity defines the ratio of the diameter of a sphere of the same volume
as that of the particle and the diameter of the smallest circumscribing sphere or
generally the largest diameter of the particle (Sahay and Singh, 1994). This
parameter shows the shape character of chickpea seeds relative to the sphere
having the same volume.
√
( ) ⁄
…..(3.5)
Where,
L = largest intercept (length), mm;
W= width, mm;
T = Thickness, mm.
3.1.4 Aspect ratio
The aspect ratio is defines by the ratio of width of the seeds to the length of
seeds into 100. Ra of the chickpea seeds was determined as recommended by using
equation:
…..(3.6)
Where,
Ra = Aspect ratio, %;
18
L = Length, mm;
W = Width, mm
3.1.5 Surface area
Surface area is defined as the total area over the outside of the nut. Surface
area (S) of the chickpea seeds theoretically calculated using the following equation.
S = π×Dg² ….. (3.7)
Where,
S = Surface area, mm²; and
Dg = Geometric mean diameter, mm.
3.1.6 Mass of chickpea seeds
To obtained the mass, 1000 randomly selected chickpea seeds were
weighed by using electronic balance with a least count up to 0.001g.
3.1.7 Bulk density of chickpea seeds
Bulk density of chickpea seeds was calculated by placing the sample of
chickpea seeds in a cylinder which has 7 cm of diameter and 9.6 cm of length.
(Madamaba et al., 1993). The sample placed in the cylinder is then weighed by
using electronic balance with least count of 0.001g. Bulk density was calculated by
using the relationship.
( ⁄ )
…..(3.8)
Where,
bd = bulk density, kg/m3
Wt = weight of sample, kg
L = length of cylinder, m and
d = Diameter of cylinder, m.
3.1.8 True density
The true density (ρt) is defined as the ratio of the mass of a sample of a nut
or 25 seed to the solid volume occupied by the sample. The true density of the
19
chickpea seeds was determined by the toluene (C7H8) displacement method
(Mohsenin, 1978) in order to avoid water absorption by the sample. 20 randomly
selected chickpea seeds were weighted separated and each was dropped into
graduated measuring cylinder having an accuracy of 0.1 ml, containing 30 ml of
toluene in 100 ml measuring cylinder. The net volumetric toluene displacement by
nut were noted and recorded. The procedure was repeated ten times. The true
density was then calculated using the equation:
…..(3.9)
Where,
M = Mass of the sample, kg; and
V = Volume, mᶾ.
3.1.9 Porosity
Porosity of the bulk sample is the ratio of the volume of internal pores
within the nuts to its bulk volume. It was calculated as the ratio of the difference in
the true density and bulk density to the true density and expressed in percentage
(Mohsenin, 1980):
…..(3.10)
Where,
P = Porosity of nuts, %;
ρt = True density, kg/m3; and
ρb = Bulk density, kg/m3
3.1.10 Moisture content of the chickpea seeds
The moisture content can be determined by oven dry method, which is a direct
method. The grain is weighed and dried, then weighed again according to
standardized procedures. Grain moisture content is expressed as a percentage of
moisture based on wet weight (wet basis) or dry matter (dry basis). Wet basis
moisture content is generally used. Dry basis is used primarily in research. So we
used dry basis method of moisture content determination. Moisture content of the
20
sample was determined by standard air oven method . Test sample of 5 g was kept
for one hour in hot air electric oven maintained at 130±2ºC. The sample was drawn
from the oven and placed in a desiccator for cooling to ambient temperature. After
cooling, the weight of the sample was taken precisely (within 0.1%). The loss in
weight was determined and moisture content was calculated using the following
expression:
MC (%) db =
…..(3.11)
Where,
w = wet weight;
d = dry weight;
MC = moisture content of percent basis
3.2 Design of Seed Metering Mechanism
A metering device draws seed from bulk and delivers them at the desired
rates in the seed tubes for sowing in soil, uniformly. Mechanical seed metering
devices in planter usually have cells on a moving member to have positive seed
metering. Commonly recommended metering systems on planters are horizontal
plate, inclined plate, vertical rollers with cells, and cups over the periphery (Anon,
1991). Since chickpea seeds are medium in size and very susceptible to mechanical
damages so, the vertical and horizontal plate metering mechanism were not
considered. This inclined plate is made of plastic. Size of cell on inclined plate was
decided based on the size of the chickpea seeds for which it was prepared. Its
inclined plate was designed specially for two seeds on per hills.
3.2.1 Design consideration about machine
Selection of proper materials for the manufacture of various components of
planter is very important. Standard and common sizes and sections as well as semi-
finished and finished items which available in local market should be considered
when specifying materials. It is therefore, recommended to use standards for
fabrication of machines. Selection of machine components should be made keeping
in view that with their effectiveness and efficiency. This consideration applies to
21
the width of seed, metering devices, furrow openers, seed delivery cell and seed
compaction wheel, ground wheel arrangements, controls and adjustments. Table
3.1 given the specifications of the materials for different components of an Inclined
Plate planter:
The cost and quality of planter depends on several factors, among which
are the cost of materials, the accuracy of the finished parts and the quality of
workmanship.
Table 3.1: Selection of material for design of inclined plate planter
Parts Material specifications Size
Seed box M.S. Sheet 1630 mm length
Seed
funnel
Aluminum 5.0 mm thick
Seed tubes Polyethylene tubes 25 mm diameter, 2 mm
thick, transparent
Standard
finished
items
Sprocket gear, split pins, hex head bolts
and nuts plain,pully and bearings, etc. be
as per standard, used in light engineering
industry.
----
3.2.2 Design of inclined plate for chickpea seeds
The design of inclined plate was done considering the agronomical
requirement of chickpea seed in SCI method. The agronomical requirement for
chickpea seed for SCI method include seed rate 40.51 kg/ha, row spacing as 50 cm,
plant to plant spacing as 20 cm.
Table 3.2: Specification of inclined plate
S. No. Particulars Specification
1 Inner diameter of plate 130 mm
2 Diameter of plate hole 22 mm
3 Outer diameter of plate 170 mm
4 No. of cell 24
5 No. of hole 1
6 Material of plate Plastic
22
Fig. 3.4 Details of seed metering plate
Fig. 3.5 Seed metering plate with two seeds in each cell
3.2.3 Design of Seed Tubes
Transparent plastic tubes of 25 mm diameter and 2 mm thick were selected
for seed tube. Seed tube angle is 15° rearward from vertical. Improved uniformity
23
has been obtained in tests with planter by angling the seed tube rearward 15 to 30°
from the vertical.
3.2.4 Design of cells for metering plate
Volume of some varieties of chickpea (JG 130 and Vaibhav) was calculated
for design the seed metering plate. Volume of cells was taken as semi-ellipse and
calculated by following formula:
…..(3.12)
Where,
a = semi-major axis, mm
b = semi-minor axis, mm
c= thickness of cell, mm
Fig. 3.6 Area of cell
= 1130.80 mm3
Volume of two chickpea seed of variety JG 130 and Vaibhav was
calculated 659.63 mm3 and 873.36 mm
3 respectively given in appendix-A. Volume
of cells is able to take two seed because of it was more than the volume of two
chickpea seeds.
24
3.2.5 Design of seed box
Trapezoidal shaped seed and fertilizer boxes, made of mild steel sheet (2
mm thick), are mounted side by side (fertilizer box in front and seed box in the
rear) on the frame. The boxes are generally 25 cm long and 18.5cm deep. Box
dimensions can vary depending upon the effective width of the machine and will
increase with the increase in the number of the furrow openers. For example in
case of 9-tine planter, the length of seed and fertilizer boxes will be around 160
cm. Fertilizer metering system controls the amount of fertilizer application in the
field. Generally there are two types of fertilizer metering system. The first system
is fluted roller type. The capacity of the seed box is 2 kg (approximate).
Height (h) = 9cm
Length (l) = 25cm
Width (w) = 18.5 cm
3.2.6 Design of the fertilizer box
The trapezoidal cross section shape of the fertilizer box was considered. It
was made out of the 1.5 mm thick mild steel. The length of the fertilizer box was
810 mm, top width was 280 mm and bottom width 125 mm , the height was 280
mm. The bottom was kept inclined from the horizontal. A slider was fitted to the
fertilizer box to facilitate movement of fertilizer towards the inlets of metering
devices. The rear wall of fertilizer box must be flat vertical and front wall must
have angle greater than the angle of repose for ease in emptying.
3.2.7 Power transmission system
Chain and gear arrangement was used to drive the seed metering
mechanism. A ground wheel was used as the power source. Power from this
ground wheel was transmitted to the seed metering plate via the chain, gear and
pulley. One revolution of the ground wheel makes half revolution of seed metering
mechanism.
25
Fig. 3.7 Line diagram of power transmission system for developed inclined plate
planter
Fig. 3.8 Orthographic representation of developed inclined plate planter
26
3.2.7.1 Speed ratio
The selection of gears is given by the following formula (Khurmi,
2002).Speed ratio from drive wheel shaft to metering shaft = (No. of teeth on
metering shaft (TM)/ No. of teeth on drive wheel shaft (TD),
=
.....(3.13)
Speed ratio between gear G1 and G2 =
= 1:1
Speed ratio between gear G3 and G4 =
= 2.64:1
Speed ratio between gear G3 and G5 =
= 2.64:1
Speed ratio between bevel gear =
= 1.4:1
So, speed ratio from ground wheel to seed metering plate =
= 3.7:1
Peripheral speed of ground wheel = RPM × circumference of ground wheel
Assuming tractor is being operated at 3.5 km/h so peripheral speed of ground
wheel
= 44.21 × 131.94 cm
= 97.21 cm/s
= 0.97 m/s.
Since metering plate will revolve 3.7 times for 1 revolution of ground wheel so
from above revolution of ground wheel = 44.21 rpm
So metering plate will revolve = 44.21 × 3.7 =163.57
Peripheral speed of metering plate = circumference of metering plate × rpm
= 53.40 cm× 163.57
= 145.57cm/s
= 87.35 m/s
27
3.3 Constructional Details
Inclined plate planter consists of following parts:
1. Frame
2. Seed box
3. Inclined plate
4. Power transmission system
5. Ground wheels
6. Three point hitching system
The constructional details of the tractor operated inclined plate planter are
discussed below.
3.3.1 Frame
The Frame is the skeleton of inclined plate planter support all other
component parts of the mild still angle bar of 2180mm×450mm×100mm planter
has to be rigid and strong as all parts are mounted on it. So that it can withstand all
types of load during operation and supports of drive/ground wheels that power to
operate the metering devices.
3.3.2 Drive mechanism
Selection of roller chain of (12 mm) pitch is adequate. Mild steel ground
wheel provided with 10 lugs in the periphery of the wheel of 420 mm diameter has
been used. On ground wheel shaft sprocket is mounted and in another intermediate
shaft an 14 teeth sprocket is mounted. On the same shaft a 14 teeth sprocket is
mounted which is connected to the seed metering shaft through 37 teeth sprocket
with chain. An idler is also provided to adjust the chain tension.
3.3.3 Three point hitching system
A three point linkage was fabricated to hitch the developed inclined plate
planter to the tractor. Hitch unit was made from 40 x 20 mm MS flat.
3.3.4 Overall assembly
After having completed individual component namely frame, tines drive
mechanism, seed box, seed metering mechanism shovels, furrow openers etc. were
assembled. Lubricants to the various components and wheel shaft were given for
28
smooth operation. The overall dimensions and specification of developed inclined
seed metering mechanism is given in table 3.3 and details are given in Appendix-
B. The isometric and plan-elevation-side view of developed machine is shown in
Figure.
Table 3.3 Specification of inclined plate planter
S. No. Particulars Specifications
Overall dimensions
1 Length (mm)
Width (mm)
Height (mm)
2180
1870
1150
2
3
4 Depth of sowing (mm) 50-60
5 Row to Row spacing (mm) 500, adjustable
6 Working width (mm) 1800
7 No. of tines 4
8 Types of metering Inclined plate
9 Ground wheel diameter (mm) 420
10 Types of Furrow opener Zero Tillage blade type openers
11 Fertilizer metering mechanism Fluted roller
12 Power transmission Chain , sprocket and bevel gear
3.4 Evaluation of Developed Inclined Plate Planter
In this section, the techniques and procedure for measurement of various
parameters associated with the evaluation of the machine under laboratory and
field conditions has been presented. The parameters and the methodology for their
measurement are given below.
3.4.1 Independent and dependent test variables
The study was conducted with the following independent and dependent
variables. Following independent test variables were recorded:-
1. Inclination of seed box
29
3.4.1.1 Inclination of seed box
For understanding the effect of inclination of seed box from horizontal of
inclined plate planter, three inclinations are taken i.e. 45o, 50
o and 60
o.
3.4.2 Dependent variables
To analyze the performance of the mechanism, the following statistical
tools were used (Kachman and Smith, 1995); Following dependent test variables
were recorded in laboratory condition.
1. Seed spacing
2. No. of seeds per hill
3. Theoretical seed rate (Rst)
4. Seeding mass rate ( )
5. Seed metering efficiency
6. Mean spacing
7. Multiple index
8. Miss index
9. Quality of feed index
3.4.3 Laboratory test
3.4.3.1 Calibration of inclined plate planter
The procedure of testing the planter for correct seed is called calibration of
planter. It is necessary to calibrate the machine before putting it in actual use to
find out the confirmation of desired seed rate and fertilizer rate. All the moving
components of the machine were lubricated properly. It was then calibrated for
Proper seed rate. The step by step procedure shall be as follows:
a) Determine the nominal width of coverage of the drill. The nominal width is
equal to the multiplication of the number of furrow openers and the spacing
between the openers in cm.
30
Working width of the planter = N x W ……(3.14)
Where:
N = Number of furrow openers in planter
W = Distance between two furrow openers
Example:
4 furrow openers x 50 cm = 2000 cm
= 2.0 m
b) Find the length of a strip, having the nominal width as determined in (a) above,
necessary to make one hectare;
Example:
= 5000 m
c) Determine the number of revolutions the ground wheel has to make to cover the
length of the strip determined in (b) above. It is recommended that this should
be done by actually operating the drill in the same field and soil conditions as
will be used for the field operation test.
Distance covered in 1 revolution of ground wheel = 𝜋 D m ……(3.15)
d) From the value found in (c) above, select a number of revolutions of the ground
wheel to cover a convenient fraction of a hectare, say, 1hac. A drill having a
nominal width of 2.0 m and ground wheel diameter of 42 cm will require about
3980.8 revolutions to cover 1 hectare.
Formula =
…..(3.16)
e) Calculate revolutions per minute of ground wheel in case of animal drawn drill
and revolutions per minute of metering device in case of tractor-drawn drill. The
travelling speed for animal drawn drill should be 2.4 km/h and for tractor drawn
drill the speedshould be 3 and 5 km/h. A 60-cm diameter wheel makes about 21
revolutions per minute when travelling at a speed of 2-4 km/h.
31
f) Jack up the drill so that the ground wheels turn freely. Make a mark on the drive
wheel and a corresponding mark at a convenient place on the body of the drill to
help in counting the revolutions of the drive wheel. Practice turning the wheel at
the speed calculated in (e) above, if turning has to be done manually for animal-
drawn drill.
g) Select the seed = chickpea seeds.
h) Put selected seed and fertilizer in the hopper. Place a sack or container under
each boot.
i) Rotate drive wheel at the speed as calculated in (e) above.
J) Weigh the quantity of seed dropped from each opener and record on the data
sheet.
k) Calculate the seed dropped in kg/hectare and record on the data sheet.
l) Repeat the process indicated in (h) to (k) at least three times.
Fig .3.9 calibration of developed inclined plate planter
32
Fig.10 (a) Measurement of inclination of seed box Fig 10 (b) Two seeds picking
from seed box by developed metering mechanism
3.4.3.2 Theoretical seed rate(Rst)
The number of chickpea seeds planted per hectare was calculated by using
the following relationship (Bakhtiari and Loghavi, 2009)
…..(3.17)
Where,
Rst = Theoretical seeding rate, seed/ha;
W = Row width, cm;
Xs = Seed spacing along the row,
3.4.3.3 Seeding mass rate ( )
The total mass of chickpea seeds planted per hectare expressed in Mg/ha
was calculated by using the following relationship (Bakhtiari and Loghavi, 2009):
*
+ ..…(3.18)
Where,
Rsm = Seeding mass rate, Mg/ha;
33
M = Average mass of one seed, g;
W = Row width, cm; and
Xs = Seed spacing along the row, cm.
3.4.3.4 Seed metering efficiency
Metering efficiency of the pneumatic planting system was calculated on the
basis of percent drop of seeds for definite number of drops.
Metering efficiency =
× 100 …..(3.19)
3.4.3.5 Seed Spacing
The crops like chickpea require accurate seed spacing in the row. The seed
spacing was measured with the help of measuring scale, keeping the scale over the
two seeds on the sand. 10 observations were taken and the average value was
calculated to give the mean seed to seed spacing.
Fig. 3.11 Seed spacing by operating developed inclined plate planter
3.4.3.6 Number of seeds per hill
Number of seeds per hill in the chickpea crop plays very important role. As
the crop is wide spaced and requires large effective unit area for its proper growth
considering seed viability and its cost. The desired number of seeds per hill was
considered two and the effect of planter cells were observed on the number of
seeds per hill.
34
3.4.3.7 Seed damage
In randomly selected one kilogram samples taken from a bulk of chickpea
seeds and fill 500 g in each hopper and rotate the ground wheel upto 20 revolution
and seeds passed through the metering mechanism and seed dropping cell repeat
this procedure 5 times and calculate average seed damage percentage. The number
of seeds that were damaged mechanically including any significant bruising, skin
removal or crushing was counted and their avg. percentage was calculated 0.82%
as the seed damage (Bakhtiari and Loghavi, 2009).
3.4.3.8 Mean spacing
Mean spacing is the average of the total number of measured spacing
∑
…..(3.20)
Where,
X = Mean spacing of the seed, cm
∑X = Sum of the number of observations
N = number of observations
3.4.3.9 Multiple index
It is the total number of spacing, which are less than 0.5 times theoretical
spacing.
…..(3.21)
Where,
MI = Multiple index, %
ψ = Total number of observations with spacing, which are less than
0.5 times theoretical spacing
N = Total number of observations.
3.4.3.10 Miss index
It is the total number of observation with spacing more than 1.5 times
theoretical spacing. High value of miss index is mainly due to the failure of seed
picking system or, due to lack of positive release of the seeds.
35
.….(3.22)
Where,
= The total number of observation with spacing more than 1.5 times
theoretical spacing
N = Total number of observations.
3.4.3.11 Quality of feed index
It is the number of observations, which are 0.5 to 1.5 times theoretical
spacing. Higher is the quality of feed index, better is the performance of the
metering mechanism.
…..(3.23)
Where,
QI = Quality of feed Index, %
𝜏 = Number of observation, which are 0.5 to 1.5 time theoretical spacing
N =Total number of observations.
3.4.4 Seed Germination Test
The main objective of this test is to check the germination percentage of
chickpea seeds. This test was done by putting the 50 numbers of chickpea seeds at
3 layers of wetted crop paper and folded. Folded crop paper with chickpea seed
was put in laboratory condition at 25 to 30 degree centigrade temperature for 7
days.After seven days number of germinated seed was counted. Germination
percentage was calculated by following formula:
ermin tion = umber of germin ted seeds
…..(3.24)
Mean emergence time (MET), emergence rate indexes (ERI), and
percentage of emergence (PE) was determined by using the following equations
(Karayel and Ozmerzi, 2002):
( ) ( )
( ) ..…(3.25)
36
mergen e r te inde es ( )=Ste(number of tot l emerged seedlings per 3 squ re meter)
e n emergen e time ( T) ..(3.26)
Percentage of emergence (PE) = 100% × Ste/n .…(3.27)
Where,
1… n = number of seedlings emerging since the time of previous count;
T1…Tn = number of days after sowing;
Ste = number of total emerged seedlings per meter; and
n = number of seeds sown per 3 square meter.
3.5 Field Experiment
Field performance of developed inclined plate planter was evaluated by
comparing with other sowing method which is given below. For comparison
developed inclined plate planter with other sowing method angle of seed box was
kept at 45o. Operation travelling speed of the developed planter was operating at
3.5 kmph for testing. The experiment conducted on IGKV, Raipur field with four
replications. Following independent parameters were observed. The Fig. 3.12
shows the layout of experiment.
T1R1 T4R2 T3R3 T2R4
T2R1 T5R2 T4R3 T3R4
T3R1 T1R2 T5R3 T4R4
T4R1 T2R2 T1R3 T5R4
T5R1 T3R2 T2R3 T1R4
Fig.3.12 Layout of experiment
37
T1= Developed Inclined Plate Planter for two seed per hill
T2= Modified Inclined Plate Planter (Y-tube) for two seed per hill
T3= Manual sowing two seed per hill
T4= Ridge and Furrow inclined Planter for single seed per hill
T5= Multi-crop inclined Planter for single seed per hill
Fig. 3.13 Land preparation
Fig 3.14 Manual sowing of chickpea
38
Fig. 3.15 Sowing of chickpea by developed inclined plate planter
Spacing between plant to plant taken for field experiment were 50×20 cm for
T1, 50×20 cm for T2, 50×20 cm for T3, 50×10 cm for T4 and 30×10 cm for T5 and
following parameters were considered during experiment:
1. Soil parameters
2. Machine parameters
3. Agronomical parameters
3.5.1 Soil parameters
Measurements of soil parameters such as moisture content, bulk density
were measured. Various instruments such as core cutter, hammer, auger, moisture
gainer, weighing balance and hot air oven were used for the measurement of soil
parameters. The soil parameters are described as follow.
3.5.1.1 Moisture content
The soil moisture analysis was done by oven drying method. Randomly soil
samples were collected by selected field .The weight of the wet soil sample was
measured by weighing balance. The soil sample was put in hot air oven at 1050C
39
for 24 hours and then the weight of dry sample was measured. Moisture content
was measured on dry weight basis using following relation:
Moisture content (%) =
.....(3.28)
Where,
= initial weight of soil sample, g
= borne dry weight of soil sample, g
3.5.1.2 Bulk density
Bulk density of soil is the ratio of mass and volume of soil. The bulk
density was determined after the operation using core cutter and hammer. The
diameter and length of the core cutter was 10 cm and 17.5 cm respectively. Soil
samples were collected from each experimental plot and weighted. The samples for
drying were placed in an oven at 1050 C for 24 hours. The dried samples re-
weighted in an electrical balance meter having maximum capacity to weigh 5 kg
and the difference was recorded. Bulk density was calculated by using following
formula:
Bulk density =
.....(3.29)
=
Where,
D = Bulk density, g/cm3
M = Mass contained in soil sample of oven dry soil, g;
V = Volume of cylinder sampler, cm3;
D = Diameter of cylinder sampler, cm; and
L = Height of cylinder sampler, cm.
3.5.1.3 Cone index (penetration test)
To determine cone index, a cone penetrometer (model BL, 250 EC, Baker
Mercer type C10, LC = 0.002 mm), having 2.618 cm diameter of cone base with
cone angle of 20°, was used. Cone penetrometer was calibrated with known
40
weights and the relationship between applied load and dial gauge deflection was
established (Bhadoria, 1995).The cone penetrometer resistance (CPR) per unit area
(sq.-cm) was determined by the following relationship:
CPR = 0.648 + 0.025X, kg/cm2 .….(3.30)
Where,
X = dial gauge deflection, small divisions
The average cone penetrometer resistance over a depth range (0-15 cm) has
been termed as cone index. The calculated value of CPR and CI was multiplied by
a constant factor 98.06 to get CPR and CI in kPa. Cone penetrometer readings at
different depths were taken randomly from five different places in each treatment
at an increment of 2.5 cm and converted into CPR by the above formula. Cone
index values were determined by taking the average of CPR values at different
depths (0-15 cm).
3.5.2 Machine parameters
The field performance was conducted in order to obtain actual data for
overall machine performance, operating accuracy, work capacity, and field
efficiency. The inclined plate planter in operation is shown in Fig. 3.13.After a
thorough laboratory test, study on - planting system for planting chickpea seeds
and its distribution pattern was checked in the field condition. The testing was
carried out with the seed metering mechanism, which was tested in the laboratory.
The field trial was carried out at travel speed 3.5 kmph and with seed metering
mechanism with metering orifices to observe the effect of travel speed and
metering orifices on hill spacing.
3.5.2.1 Speed of operation
To calculate the speed of operation two plots 20 m apart were placed
approximately in the middle of test run. The speed was calculated from the time
required for the machine to travel the distance of these 20 m out of the total run of
40 m in the study. And time was measured by using stop watch to travel 20 m.
41
3.5.2.2 Theoretical field capacity
On the basis of width of furrow and speed, theoretical field capacity was
calculated by following formula:
Theoretical field capacity (ha/h) = W ×S/10 …..(3.31)
Where,
S = Speed of operation, km/h
W = Theoretical width covered, m
= Number of furrow openers multiplied by distance between the
furrow Opener, m
3.5.2.3 Effective field capacity
The time required for complete sowing was recorded and Effective field
capacity was calculated.
Effective field capacity (ha/h) =
…..(3.32)
Where,
A = Actual area covered, ha
T = Total time required to cover the area, h
3.5.2.4 Field efficiency
…..(3.33)
3.5.2.5 Fuel consumption
The fuel onsumption w s me sured using, Top fill ethod‟ ( A ,
1983). The fuel tank of the tractor was filled at its full capacity. The tractor along
with the machines for respective treatments at constant speed was run. After
completing the passes, fuel was refilled in the tank up to the original level. The
quantity of refilled fuel was measured by measuring cylinder and time required for
the completion of passes was noted down. Both observations were used for
computation of fuel consumption and time requirement for particular treatment.
42
3.5.3 Agronomical measurement
1. Plant Population
2. Plant height
3. Branches
4. Pods
5. Test weight
6. Grain yield
7. Stalk yield
3.5.3.1 Plant population
Plant population was observed from 1 m2 of each plot, where five
observation taken from each plot.
Fig. 3.16 Measurement of plant population per square meter
3.5.3.2 Plant height
Height of five tagged plants in each plot was recorded in cm at an interval
of 30, 60, 90 DAS and at harvest and then average was worked out and used for
statistical analysis. Plant height was measured in cm from ground surface to
uppermost leaf top.
43
Fig.3.17 Measurement of plant height
3.5.3.3 Branches
Total number of branches per plant were counted from five tagged plants of
each plot at 30, 60, 90 DAS and at harvest. The mean total number of branches per
plant was obtained by dividing the summation with five.
3.5.3.4 Pods
To study the influence of different treatments on pod formation in chickpea
crop, total number of pods was recorded from five randomly tagged plants in each
plot 45and mean was worked out by dividing the total number of pods by five and
used for statistical analysis.
Fig. 3.18 Chickpea crop before and after harvesting
44
Fig. 3.19 Measurement of row spacing of chickpea seeds
Fig.3.20 Measurement of agronomical parameters of chickpea sown by ridge and
furrow inclined plate planter
Fig. 3.21 Field of chickpea crop sown by ridge and furrow inclined plate planter
45
Fig. 3.22 Field of chickpea crop sown by multi-crop inclined plate planter
Fig.3.23 Field of chickpea crop (manually sown)
46
Fig. 3.24 Field of chickpea crop sown by Y-tube type inclined plate planter
Fig. 3.25 Field of chickpea sown by developed inclined plate planter
3.5.3.5 Weight
Randomly seed samples were taken from each net plot. Hundred healthy
seeds from the produce of each plot were counted and same were oven dried at 60
47
Ċ till constant weight and then weight was recorded in gram accurately by using an
electronic digital balance.
3.5.3.6 Grain yield
Seed yield of the each net plot net area of was noted down, after threshing,
winnowing and drying and was converted into (kg/ha).
3.5.3.7 Stalk yield
Straw yield of chickpea was obtained by subtracting seed yield (kg/ha)
from biological yield (kg/ha).
3.6 Cost of Operation
The objective of estimating cost of farm machinery operation is to serve as
a basis for planning and management. The cost of operation under each treatment
was estimated as per IS: 1979:9164.
The cost of using farm machinery consists of expenses for ownership and
operation, and overhead charges. It may also include a margin for profit.
Ownership costs are independent of use and are often called as fixed cost. Cost for
operations vary directly with use and are referred as variable cost.
3.6.1 Fixed cost
3.6.1.1 Depreciation
This cost reflects the reduction in value of a machine with use (wear) and
time (obsolescence). While actual depreciation would depend on the sale price of
the machine after its use, on the basis of different computational methods
depreciation can be estimated by straight-line method as given below
D =
…..(3.34)
Where,
D = Depreciation cost, average per year,
P = Purchase price of the machine,
48
S = Residual value of the machine, and
L = Useful life of the machine in years
H = Working hour per year
The depreciation cost per hour can be estimated by dividing D by the
number of hours the machine is expected to be utilized in a year. Residual value if
any of the machines may be taken as 10 percent of the purchase price.
3.6.1.2 Interest
An annual charge of interest was calculated taking 10 percent of average
purchase price as basis. Average purchase price was calculated using the formula
given below.
A =
….. (3.35)
Where,
A = Average purchase price, ₹/h
P = Purchase price of the machine, ₹
S = Residual value of the machine, ₹
H = Annual Working hour
I = Interest rate, %
3.6.1.3 Insurance, taxes and shelter
Insurance and taxes were estimated taking 2% of average purchase price of
machine into consideration. Total fixed cost is sum of A, B and C .
3.6.2 Variable Cost
3.6.2.1 Fuel
Fuel cost was measured by taking the cost of current fuel per liter (₹ 70/l)
and multiplied to fuel consumption per hour machine.
3.6.2.2 Oil
The cost of engine oils and lubricants was estimated as 20% of fuel
consumption cost.
49
3.6.2.3 Repair and maintenance
The estimated cost of repairing and maintenance was taken 5%.
3.6.2.4 Wages and Labour charges
The cost of labour was estimated taking the prevailing rate of ₹ 35.12/h.
50
CHAPTER - IV
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
A laboratory test setup was Development of Inclined Plate Seed Metering
Mechanism for System of Chickpea Intensification seeding Chickpea seeds. After
testing in the laboratory the metering mechanism was tested in the field condition
on the inclined plate planter. Based on the test results inclination angle of seed
boxand size of cell was decided. The results obtained during various stages of
development are presented and discussed in the chapter.
4.1 Average Physical Dimensions of the Chickpea Seeds
4.1.1 Size and unit mass of Chickpea seeds
Physical properties such as length, width, thickness, sphericity and
thousand grain weights were studied for seeds like Chickpea. The results are
presented in Table 4.1and Appendix - A shows the size and unit mass distribution
of Chickpea seeds used in the preliminary laboratory and field evaluation tests of
the inclined metering mechanism.
The variety of the chickpea seeds taken for study was JG-130. Table 4.1
and Appendix - Ashows the size and unit mass distribution of chickpea seeds used
in the preliminary laboratory and field evaluation tests of the inclined metering
mechanism. The average length, width and thickness were found to be 8.48 mm,
6.45 mm and 6.03 mm respectively. The average Sphericity and geometric mean
diameter of chickpeas was calculated 0.81 and 6.90 mm respectively. Average
weight of 1000 grain of chickpea seed was observed 244.85 g.
Average aspect ratio, surface area, bulk density, true density, moisture
content and porosity of chickpea were observed 75.54 %, 157.379 mm2,
709.55kg/m³ ,875.07kg/m³, 19.81 % and 18.62 % respectively which is shown in
Table 4.1.
51
Table 4.1 Physical parameter of chickpea seeds
Observ
ations
Length,
mm
Width,
mm
Thickness,
mm Sphericity
Geometric
Mean Dia
Weight
of 1000
seeds, g
1 8.72 7.06 6.63 0.85 7.41 244.1
2 8.86 6.27 6.23 0.79 7.02 245
3 8.59 6.60 6.15 0.81 7.03 240.5
4 8.89 6.35 6.02 0.78 6.97 246.2
5 9.21 7.02 6.32 0.8 7.42 244.5
6 8.54 6.30 5.87 0.79 6.8 247
7 8.81 5.91 5.68 0.75 6.66 246.5
8 8.75 6.78 6.45 0.82 7.25 245
9 8.05 6.97 6.69 0.89 7.21 248
10 8.67 6.44 6.08 0.8 6.97 245.5
11 8.27 6.90 6.32 0.86 7.11 244.2
12 9.38 6.59 6.23 0.77 7.27 244.4
13 8.39 6.68 6.28 0.84 7.06 246
14 7.67 6.00 5.79 0.84 6.5 243
15 8.89 6.16 5.55 0.75 6.72 242.5
16 7.69 6.26 5.87 0.85 6.56 244.6
17 8.36 6.47 5.47 0.79 6.66 244.7
18 7.41 5.79 5.5 0.83 6.17 244.4
19 8.41 5.74 5.01 0.74 6.23 245
20 8.23 6.76 6.47 0.86 7.11 246
Avge 8.48 6.45 6.03 0.81 6.90 244.85
SD 0.50 0.40 0.43 0.04 0.35 1.64
CV % 0.25 0.16 0.18 0.001 0.13 2.72
52
4.2 Laboratory testing of Inclined Plate Planter
4.2.1 Calibration of inclined plate planter
Before operating the inclined plate planter in field condition calibration was
done in laboratory. Seed rate was minimum at that angle i.e. 40.51 kg/ha followed
by 41.25 kg/ha and 41.28 kg/ha at 50o and 60
o angle of seed box. (Appendix-C)
Table4.2 Physical Properties of different observations
Observ
ations
Aspect
ratio, %
Surface
area, mm2
Bulk
density,
kg/m³
True
density,
kg/m³
Moisture
Content,
%
Porosity,
%
1 80.96 172.49 691.05 860.52 11.3 19.76
2 70.76 154.81 694.04 890.05 20.4 21.91
3 76.83 155.26 712.02 870.04 18.4 18.39
4 71.42 152.62 720.04 885.02 23.1 18.18
5 76.22 172.96 690.02 867.09 22.8 19.76
6 73.77 145.26 714.03 858.32 14.8 15.88
7 67.08 139.34 730.02 872.23 25.6 16.09
8 77.48 165.12 724.08 880.42 18.3 17.61
9 86.58 163.31 690.05 877.06 21.3 20.68
10 74.27 152.62 730.02 890.04 22.1 17.97
average 75.53 157.37 709.55 875.07 19.81 18.62
SD 5.51 11.02 0.01 0.01 4.25 1.92
CV % 30.36 121.65 0.000286 0.000173 18.09 3.69
Table 4.3Seed rate at different angle of developed inclined plate planter
Observation Seed rate at different angle, kg/ha
45o
50o 60
o
Average 40.51 41.25 41.28
SD 0.24 0.49 0.45
CV % 0.06 0.24 0.21
53
Fig. 4.1Seed rate Vs Angle of seed box
4.2.2 Theoretical seed rate(Rst)
The number of chickpea seeds planted per hectare was calculated 200000
seed.ha-1
by using relationship of theoretical seed rate taken row width 50 cm and
seed spacing along the row 20 cm (Bakhtiari and Loghavi, 2009).
4.2.3 Seeding mass rate )
The total mass of chickpea seeds planted per hectare expressed in Mg/ha
was calculated 0.048 Mg.ha-1
by using the following relationship (Bakhtiari and
Loghavi, 2009):
[
] ………(4.1)
Where,
Rsm = Seeding mass rate, Mg/ha;
M = Average mass of one seed i.e.0.24 g
W = Row width i.e. 50 cm
Xs = Seed spacing along the row i.e. 20 cm
05
1015202530354045
45° 50° 60°
Angle of seed box
See
d r
ate
, k
g/h
a
54
4.2.4 Seed metering efficiency
Metering efficiency of the pneumatic planting system was calculated on the
basis of percent drop of seeds for definite number of drops.
Metering efficiency =
× 100 ……. (4.2)
Metering efficiency =
× 100
Metering efficiency = 90%
4.2.5 Seed Germination Percentage
Germination test of chickpea 50 seed were taken with five observations and
tested in state seed laboratory of agriculture department. Chickpea seed were kept
in wetted bottling crop paper for one week at 25-30 C to determination of
germination. It was found that averagely 92.40 % seeds were normal for proper
seed germination as shown in Table 4.4.(Appendix-C)
Table 4.4 Germination percentage of chickpea seeds
Observation Total No. of seed taken No. of germinated seed Germination, %
1 50 47 94
2 50 46 92
3 50 45 90
4 50 46 92
5 50 47 94
Average 50 46.2 92.4
SD
0.83 1.67
CV %
0.7 2.8
4.3 Measures of Accuracy of the Metering Mechanism
4.3.1 Mean spacing
Different seed spacing were noted during observation.The seed spacing is
found more accurate in 45o which was nearly 20 cm. The average seed spacing at
45o was 20.01 cm. The observed data from laboratory test is given in
Table4.5.(Appendix-C)
55
Table 4.5 Seed spacing at different angle of developed inclined plate planter
Observation Seed spacing at different angle, cm
45o
50o 60
o
Average 20.01 20.02 20.03
SD 0.27 0.26 0.50
CV % 0.01 0.01 0.02
Fig. 4.2 Spacing between seed spacing at different angle of developed inclined
plate planter
4.3.2 Multiple Index
Multiple Index for chickpea at different angle of seed box is given in Table
4.6. It was found that multiple index was minimum in 45o angle of seed box due to
seed dropping rate was minimum. The average multiple Index was observed
7.17%, 7.57% and 7.87% at 45o, 50
o and 60
o angle of seed box respectively.
(Appendix-C)
Table 4.6: Multiple Index at different angle of developed inclined plate planter
Observation Multiple Index at different angle, %
45o
50o 60
o
Average 7.17 7.57 7.87
SD 0.06 0.15 0.07
CV % 0.01 0.02 0.01
15
17
19
21
23
25
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Sp
aci
ng, cm
Obsercations
At 45 angle
at 50 angle
At 60 angle
56
Fig. 4.3 Multiple index at different inclination of seed box
4.3.3 Missing index
Miss index was observed at different angle of seed box of 45o, 50
o and
60oas given in Table 4.7.Minimum missing Index was found at 45
o angle of seed
box.Average missing Index observed during operation were3.75 %, 4.58 % and
4.02 %at 45o, 50
o and 60
o angle of seed box respectively.(Appendix-C)
Fig. 4.4 Missing index at different inclination of seed box
0.00
1.00
2.00
3.00
4.00
5.00
6.00
7.00
8.00
9.00
45° 50° 60°
Mu
ltip
le I
nd
ex, %
Seed box inclination
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
3
3.5
4
4.5
5
45° 50° 60°
Mis
sin
g I
nd
ex,
%
Seed box Inclination
57
Table 4.7 Missing Index at different angle of developed inclined plate
planter
Observation Missing Index at different angle, %
45o
50o 60
o
Average 3.75 4.58 4.02
SD 0.42 0.72 0.63
CV % 0.17 0.52 0.40
4.3.4 Quality of feed Index
Quality of feed Index was observed at different angle of seed box of 45o,
50o and 60
o as given in table.4.8. Maximum quality Index was found at 45
o angle
of seed box because at because feeding of seed was uniform at 45o angle of seed
box.Average missing Index observed during operation were 98.47 %, 97.78 % and
97.50 % at 45o, 50
o and 60
o angle of seed box respectively.(Appendix-C)
Table 4.8: Quality of feed Index of developed inclined plate planter
Observation Feed Index, %
45o
50o 60
o
Average 98.47 97.78 97.5
SD 0.24 0.64 0.42
CV % 0.06 0.41 0.18
Fig.4.5 Feed Index (%) at different angle of seed box of developed inclined plate
planter
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
45° 50° 60°
Fee
d I
nd
ex, %
Angle of seed box
58
4.3.5 Seed damage
Seed damage was observed at different angle of seed box of 45o, 50
o and
60o as given in Table 4.9. Maximum seed damage was found at 60
o angle of seed
box because at because feeding of seed was more at 60o angle of seed box which
was creating problem of clogging so more damaged seed was found.Average seed
damage observed during operation was0.23 %, 0.48 % and 0.54 % at 45o, 50
o and
60o angle of seed box respectively.(Appendix-C)
Table 4.9: Seed damage at different angle of developed inclined plate planter
Observation Seed damage at different angle, %
45o
50o 60
o
Average 0.23 0.48 0.54
SD 0.04 0.09 0.06
CV % 0.002 0.009 0.0047
Fig. 4.6 Seed damage at different angle (%)
4.3.6 Theoretical spacing between seed
The theoretical spacing between seed dropped by planter was calculated
with the help of the circumference of the ground wheel and the no. of cells in seed
metering plate.
0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
45° 50° 60°
See
d d
am
age,
%
Angle of seed box
59
Distance covered by the ground wheel in one revolution = π × D ……(4.3)
= π × 42 cm
= 131.94 cm
Distance covered by the ground wheel in three revaluation = 3 × 131.94 cm
= 395.84 cm
Space between two consequently seed dropped by planter.
For 3 revolution of ground wheel the metering cell was rotating 0.810 times.
Since metering plate had 24 cells so, for 0.810 revolution the no. of cell dropping
the seed was 24 × 0.810 = 19.44
Therefore, the theoretical spacing between the plants was found to be
= 20.37 cm
≈ 20 cm.
4.3.7 Number of seeds per hill and distance between seed
Number of seeds per hill and distance between them were measured from
10 observation point. The average number of seed per hill observed 2.1 and
average distance between of two seeds in each hill was 0.59 cm. The field
observed data of number of seeds per hills and distance between them is given in
Table4.10.(Appendix-C)
Table 4.10: Number of seeds per hill and distance between seed of
developed inclined plate planter
Observation NO. of seed per hills Distance, cm Spacing, cm
Average 2.10 0.59 20.01
SD 0.57 0.15 0.27
CV % 0.32 0.02 0.07
60
Fig.4.7 Number of seeds per hill, distance between seeds per hill (cm) and seed
spacing (cm) of developed inclined plate planter
4.4 Soil Properties
4.4.1 Bulk density of soil
Bulk density of soil was observed by core cutter method having core diameter 8
cm and length 20 cm. Observations were taken from five different from the field and mean
bulk density of soil was calculated 1.36 kg/m3.(Appendix-D)
Table 4.11: Bulk density of soil
S.No. Bulk density, kg/m3
1 1.31
2 1.35
3 1.31
4 1.43
5 1.40
Mean 1.36
SD 0.05
CV % 0.002
0
5
10
15
20
25
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Observation
NO. of seed per
hills
Distance, cm
Spacing, cm
61
4.4.2 Moisture content of soil
The soil samples were taken from the experimental plots, the soil samples
were weighed using an electronic balance having least count of 0.001g. The 30 g
soil samples were placed in a hot dry air oven at 105°C for 24 hours. The mean
moisture content of experimental plot was observed 21.48 %.(Appendix-D)
Table 4.12: Moisture content of soil
S.No. Moisture content , %
1 20
2 19.35
3 23.33
4 21.87
5 22.85
Mean 21.48
SD 1.74
CV % 3.04
4.4.3 Cone index
The soil resistance was measured by a cone penetrometer. The data
obtained are represented in Table 4.13. The data revels that the cone index was
found to be 174.91 kPa. (Appendix-D)
Table 4.13: Cone index of experiment field
S.No Kg/cm2 Cone index kPa
1 1.72 169.02
2 1.79 176.38
3 1.74 171.47
4 1.87 183.74
5 1.77 173.93
Average 1.78 174.91
SD 0.057 5.64
CV % 0.003 31.87
62
4.5 Field Performance
Performance of modified inclined plate seed metering mechanism was
evaluated in field condition. And also compare with different sowing method of
chickpea. For evaluation of modified inclined plate seed metering mechanism was
set at 45o angle of seed box and 37 teeth of gear and different parameters was test.
4.5.1 Field capacity and field efficiency of the machine
Theoretical field capacity and effective field capacity were determined on
the basis of area covered per unit time.
4.5.1.1 Speed of operation
The average speed of operation was observed 3.5 km/h of modified
inclined plate planter during field condition. The observed data from the field for
speed of planter is given in (appendix- E) and calculated speed of planter was
given in Table 4.14.
Table4.14: Speed of operation of developed inclined plate planter
S.No. Speed, km/h
1 3.79
2 3.43
3 3.43
4 3.27
5 3.60
Mean 3.50
SD 0.19
CV % 0.04
4.5.1.2 Theoretical field capacity
On the basis of width of furrow and speed, theoretical field capacity was
calculated by following formula:
Theoretical field capacity (ha/h) = W ×S/10 ……(4.4)
63
Where,
S = Speed of operation i.e. 3.5 km/h
W = Theoretical width covered i.e. 2 m
Theoretical field capacity (ha/h) =
= 0.7 ha/h
4.5.1.3 Effective field capacity
Effective field capacity was observed at 100m 10 m of field, there was 5
observations taken for analysis of effective field capacity. The average field
capacity of inclined plate planter was found 0.44 ha/h. The time required to
complete the sowing operation on 1000 m2 and field capacity was is shown in
Table4.15.(Appendix-E)
Effective field capacity (ha/h) = A/T .…..(4.5)
Where,
A = Actual area covered, ha
T = Total time required to cover the area, h
4.5.1.4 Field efficiency
Some factors like turning loss affect the field efficiency of planter. The
theoretical field capacity of the planter was calculated by taking speed of planter
3.5 km/h and effective width of planter 2 m. The average field efficiency of
developed inclined plate planter was observed 63.63 %.(Appendix-E)
Field efficiency (%) =
× 100 ……(4.6)
4.6 Agronomical Parameters
Plant population, plant height and branches of chickpea of different
treatments were observed at different stages of growth. Number of pods per plant,
stalk yield, grain yield and test weight also measured. All observed data of
agronomical parameters are discussed below and also presented in appendix-F.
64
4.6.1 Plant Population
Plant population of chickpea was measured by using 1 m2 quadrant. The
plant population of different sowing method is given in Table 4.16. Plant
population was found uniform all treatments.
Table 4.15: Effective field capacity and field efficiency of developed inclined plate
planter
S.No. EFC, ha/h
Field efficiency, %
1 0.48 68.57
2 0.45 64.28
3 0.47 67.66
4 0.42 60.50
5 0.4 57.14
Average 0.44 63.63
SD 0.033 4.82
CV % 0.0011 23.25
Table 4.16: Plant population of chickpea of different treatment
Treatment Plant population
20 DAS At harvest
T1 20.40 19.80
T2 19.60 19.20
T3 20.60 20.20
T4 19.00 18.60
T5 29.20 27.80
SEm± 0.12 0.11
CD 5% 0.37 0.34
CV % 5.12 4.85
65
4.6.2 Plant height
The Fig. 4.8 shows the plant height in different treatment at 30 DAS, 60
DAS,90 DAS and at harvesting. It is evident from the figure that increasesplant
height with increase growth stage up to harvesting under all treatments. In
T1,T2,T3,T4 and T5 at harvestingplant height were found to be 58.05cm, 57.90cm,
51.54cm, 56.27cm and55.60cmrespectively.
Table 4.17: Plant height of chickpea of different treatment
Treatment Plant height, cm
30 DAS 60 DAS 90 DAS At harvest
T1 20.29 35.76 46.00 58.05
T2 20.16 33.57 44.55 57.90
T3 19.07 32.56 42.38 51.54
T4 19.69 33.34 43.34 56.27
T5 19.84 33.12 43.15 55.60
SEm 0.45 0.61 0.74 0.84
CD 5 % 1.39 1.89 2.27 1.89
CV % 20.20 21.12 22.22 22.58
Fig. 4.8 Plant height at 30 DAS, 60 DAS, 90 DAS and at Harvest
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
T1 T2 T3 T4 T5
Pla
nt
hei
gh
t, c
m 30 DAS
60 DAS
90 DAS
At harvest
66
Plant height was found highest in T1 at 30 DAS, 60 DAS, 90 DAS and at
harvest i.e. 20.29 cm, 35.76 cm, 46.00 cm and 58.05 cm respectively. Plant height
was observed minimum in T3 at 30 DAS, 60 DAS, 90 DAS and at harvest i.e.
19.07 cm, 32.56 cm, 42.38 cm, 51.54cm respectively.
4.6.3 Branches
The Fig. 4.9 shows the branches per plant in different treatment at 30 DAS,
60 DAS and 90 DAS. It is evident from the figure that increases branches with
increase growth stage plant. In T1,T2,T3,T4 and T5 at 90 DAS number of branches
were found to be 28.99, 27.07, 26.67, 26.57 and 26.80 respectively.
Table 4.18: Branches of chickpea of different treatment
Treatment Number of branches
30 DAS 60 DAS 90 DAS At harvest
T1 8.39 26.77 28.99 24.17
T2 7.32 25.54 27.07 23.54
T3 8.31 25.50 26.67 22.84
T4 6.67 24.37 26.57 23.30
T5 8.01 25.80 26.80 22.07
SEm± 0.28 0.47 0.56 0.50
CD 5 % 0.88 1.45 1.72 1.45
CV % 20.46 18.65 21.36 20.81
Fig. 4.9 Number of branches at 30 DAS, 60 DAS and 90 DAS
0
2
4
6
8
T1 T2 T3 T4 T5
Nu
mb
er o
f b
ran
ches
30 DAS
60 DAS
90 DAS
67
Branches per plant were found highest in T1 at 30 DAS, 60 DAS and 90
DAS i.e. 8.39, 26.77 and 28.99 respectively. Branches per plant were observed
minimum in T3 at 30 DAS, 60 DAS and 90 DAS i.e. 8.31, 25.50 and 26.67
respectively.
4.6.4 Pods
The Fig. 4.10 shows the pods per plant in different treatment. Pods per
plant were found highest in T1 i.e.115.27 and minimum pods observed in T4 i.e.
105.62.Table 4.19 represent the observed data from experimental field of different
treatments.
Table 4.19: Pods per plant of chickpea of different treatment
Treatment Pods per plant
T1 115.27
T2 113.39
T3 107.61
T4 105.62
T5 107.12
SEm± 0.45
CD 5 % 1.38
CV % 20.16
Fig. 4.10 Number of pods at different treatment
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
T1 T2 T3 T4 T5
Pod
s p
er p
lan
t
68
4.6.5 Test weight
The maximum weight of 1000 grain was found to be 244.11 in case of
T1treatment and minimum was found to be 236.07 in cased of T2. Table 4.20
represents the test weight of collected grains of chickpea, significant difference
was observed at 5 % level of significance and statistical analysis of observed data
is given in appendix-(F)
Table 4.20: Test weight of 1000 grain of chickpea of different treatment
Treatment Test weight, g
T1 244.11
T2 236.07
T3 237.11
T4 241.15
T5 242.10
SEm± 1.63
CD 5 % 5.03
CV % 21.05
Fig. 4.11 Test weight of samples of different treatment
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
T1 T2 T3 T4 T5
test
wei
gh
t, g
69
4.6.6 Grain yield
The grain yield from experimental field of different treatments is given in
Table 4.21. Maximum grain yield of chickpea was found in T1 which was 2826.67
kg/ha and minimum was observed in T4 i.e. 2317.09 kg/ha. Significant difference
was observed between all the treatments at 5 % level of significance, statistical
analysis of collected data is given in appendix (F). The statistical analysis of data
revels that the modified inclined metering mechanism gives best result than all the
treatments.
Grain yield of T1 was found 18.63%, 3.26%, 21.99 % and 20.45 % greater
than the T2, T3, T4 and T5 respectively.
Table 4.21: Grain yield of chickpea of different treatment
Treatment Grain yield, kg/ha
T1 2826.67
T2 2382.67
T3 2737.34
T4 2317.09
T5 2346.67
SEm± 4.99
CD 5 % 15.39
CV % 19.89
Fig. 4.12 Grain yield (kg/ha) of different treatment
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
T1 T2 T3 T4 T5
gra
in y
ield
, k
g/h
a
70
4.6.7 Stalk yield
The stalk yield from experimental field of different treatments is given in
Table 4.22. Maximum stalk yield of chickpea was found in T2 which was 3958.54
kg/ha and minimum was observed in T4 i.e. 3473.40 kg/ha. Significant difference
was observed between all the treatments at 5 % level of significance, statistical
analysis of collected data is given in (appendix –F)
Table 4.22:Stalk yield of chickpea of different treatment
Treatment Stalk yield, kg/ha
T1 3588.45
T2 3958.54
T3 3473.40
T4 3717.30
T5 3813.00
SEm± 7.38
CD 5 % 5.03
CV % 24.22
Fig. 4.13 Stalk yield (kg/ha) at different treatments
0
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
3000
3500
4000
4500
T1 T2 T3 T4 T5
stalk
yie
ld, k
g/h
a
71
4.7 Energy Analysis
Three types of energy mainly used to perform all the treatments they were
human energy, fuel energy and machine energy. Calculated data present that fuel
energy was more than human and machine energy during field operation, total
energy requirement of developed inclined plate planter was calculated 590.52
MJ/ha. Table 4.23 represent all energy requiredduring field operation.(Appendix-
G).
Table 4.23: Energy requirement of developed inclined plate planter
Particulars Values
Machine energy
Weight , kg
Life, year
Life, h
Energy equivalent
Useful hour, h/ha
Total machine energy
270
8
2000
62.7
2.25
18.81
Human energy
Required man
Energy equivalent, MJ/h
Useful hour, h/ha
Total human energy
2
1.96
2.25
8.71
Fuel energy
Fuel consumption, l/h
Energy equivalent, MJ/l
Useful hour, h/ha
Total fuel energy
4.5
56.3
2.25
563.00
Total 590.52
72
4.8 Economic Analysis
The fixed cost includes depreciation, interest on the capital cost, shelter,
insurance and taxes. Operation cost includes, fuel, lubricants, repair and
maintenances cost, wages. Cost of sowing operation was calculated in ₹ 1228.33/-
per hectare. Operational cost of the developed inclined plate planter was shown in
Table 4.24 and calculation of different sowing method is given in (Appendix –H).
4.9 Comparison with other Sowing Methods
The field capacity, field efficiency, energy required and cost of operation of
different sowing method was evaluated which is given in Table 4.25. Energy
requirement in sowing operation was found minimum in manual sowing (T3)
which was 188.16 but the cost of operation was highest than other sowing method
because of field capacity was very low. Minimum cost of operation were observed
₹ 1228.33/- per hectare for both developed inclined plate planter(T1) and Y-tube
type inclined plate planter(T2). (Appendix -H)
Table 4.24: Operational cost of the developed inclined plate planter
Particulars Values
Fixed cost
Depreciation cost, ₹/h
Insurance cost, ₹/h
Tax + housing cost, ₹/h
Total fixed cost, ₹/h
49.50
24.20
8.8
82.5
Variable cost
Fuel cost, ₹/ha
Lubrication cost,₹/h
Repair and maintenance cost, ₹/h
Labour required
Labour charges, ₹/h
Total variable cost, ₹/h
315.00
63.00
22
2
70.25
470.25
Total operational cost, ₹/h
Field capacity, ha/h
Total operational cost, ₹/ha
552.75
0.45
1228.33
73
Table 4.25: Field capacity, field efficiency, energy required and cost of operation
of different sowing method
Treatment
Field
capacity,
ha/h
Field
efficiency,
%
Time
required,
h/ha
Energy,
MJ/ha Cost, ₹/ha
T1 0.45 63.63 2.25 590.52 1228.33
T2 0.44 63.14 2.26 603.94 1256.25
T3 0.01 - 96 188.16 3512.50
T4 0.34 56.66 2.94 866.79 1763.24
T5 0.42 66.66 2.38 632.45 1316.07
74
CHAPTER - V
SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS
Physical properties of chickpea were measured in term of bulk density, true
density, sphericity, porosity, aspect ratio, test weight and surface area of seed. To
know the characteristics of chickpea for design of inclined plate seed metering
mechanism, cell size etc. Development of inclined seed metering mechanism for
System of Chickpea Intensification with testing in laboratory and field was undertaken
with the view to reduce the cost of seeding, as well as, to suit the germination of the
direct seeded chickpea. By maintaining the number of rotation of metering plate and
inclination of seed box desired seed rate and plant population can be maintained,
which compete the unwanted plants or weeds for water, sunlight and nutrient for their
healthy growth that ultimately leads to increase the crop yield. Following objectives
was undertaken to development and evaluation of inclined metering mechanism for
System of Chickpea Intensification method of sowing.
1. To develop seed metering mechanism for dropping of two seeds per hill.
2. To evaluate performance of modified device under laboratory and field
condition.
3. To workout cost economics of modified system.
Development work for modification of seed metering mechanism and laboratory
test was done in workshop of SVCAET&RS, FAE, IGKV, Raipur. Firstly, the
calibration ofinclined plate planter was done with different inclination angle of seed
box for maintaining the desired seed rate of chickpea. In laboratory testing multiple
Index, missIndex, quality feed Index, seed rate and spacing were calculated. After the
calibration, it was found that the inclination angle of 45° gave better performance in
uniformity and optimizing the seed compared to 50° and 60°. Based on the result of
laboratory testing, field test was done at inclination angle 45o of seed box for seed.
75
The modified inclined plate planter was compared with Y-tube type inclined
plate planter, manual sowing, ridge and furrow inclined plate planter, multi-crop
inclined plate planter in terms of agronomical parameters i.e. plant population, plant
height, number of pods, number of branches and grain yield stalk yield etc.And cost of
sowing operation of different treatment was also calculated for comparison.
Conclusions
After the operation of planter in laboratory and in field it was observed that the
modified inclined plate metering mechanism performed the dropping of two seed per
hill satisfactorily. The cells of the plate were modified to accommodate two seeds in
single cell by making desired alteration in the cells of inclined plate, this alteration
were made according to the measured dimension of chickpea seeds. The following
conclusions were drawn after the operation of inclined plate planter in laboratory and
in field:
1. After measurement the physical properties of chickpea i.e. average aspect ratio,
surface area, bulk density, true density, moisture content and porosity of
chickpea were observed 75.54 %, 157.379 mm2,709.55 kg/m³,875.07 kg/m³
,
19.81 % and 18.62 % respectively.
2. Mean spacing was found more accurate in 45o inclination of seed box form
horizontal which was 20.03 cm, seed rate was minimum at that angle i.e. 40.51
kg/ha followed by 41.25 kg/ha and 41.28 kg/ha at 50o and 60
o angle of seed
box.
3. Multiple Index was found minimum at 45o where the mean was 7.17 %
followed by 7.57 % and 7.87 % at 50o and 60
o angle of seed box.Minimum
missing Index was found at 45o angle of seed box.Average missing Index
observed during operation were3.75 %, 4.58 % and 4.02 % at 45o, 50
o and 60
o
angle of seed box respectively.
4. Average seed damage of developed inclined plate planter observed during
operation was 0.23 %, 0.48 % and 0.54 % at 45o, 50
o and 60
o angle of seed box
respectively.
76
5. The average speed of operation, field capacity and field efficiency of
developed inclined plate planter were observed 3.5 km/h, 0.45 ha and 63.63 %
respectively.
6. Plant height was found highest in T1 at 30 DAS, 60 DAS, 90 DAS and at
harvest i.e. 20.28cm, 35.75 cm, 46.00 cm and 58.05 cm respectively followed
by T2, T4, T5 and T3 respectively.
7. Pods per plant were found highest in T1 i.e.115.27 followed by T2, T3, T5andT4
i.e. 113.38, 107.60, 107.11 and 105.62 respectively.
8. Maximum grain yield of chickpea was found in T1 which was 2826.67 kg/ha
and minimum was observed in T4 i.e. 2317.09 kg/ha. Grain yield of T1 was
found 18.63%, 3.26%, 21.99 % and 20.45 % greater than the T2, T3, T4 and T5
respectively.
9. Cost of operation of developed inclined plate planter was calculated ₹
1228.33/- per hectare and energy requirement was 590.52 MJ/ha.
Suggestions for Future Work
The following work could not be carried out due to lack of time and hence,
suggested to take up in the near future:
1. Improve the inclined metering mechanism for other seeds.
2. The inclined metering mechanism may be tested on manual operated or animal
drawn inclined plate planter.
3. Gear ratio may be changed for correct seed spacing of about, 10 cm, 15 cm and
30 cm.
77
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Alghannam, 2010. Int J Agric&BiolEng, 3(4): 80－93. Moisture dependent
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82
APPENDIX
APPENDIX-A
Table A-1: Physical properties of chickpea seed (JG 130)
Observati
on
Length,
mm
Width,
mm
Thickness
, mm Sphericity
Geometri
c Mean
Dia
Weight of
1000
seeds, g
1 8.72 7.06 6.63 0.85 7.41 244.10
2 8.86 6.27 6.23 0.79 7.02 245.00
3 8.59 6.60 6.15 0.81 7.03 240.50
4 8.89 6.35 6.02 0.78 6.97 246.20
5 9.21 7.02 6.32 0.80 7.42 244.50
6 8.54 6.30 5.87 0.79 6.80 247.00
7 8.81 5.91 5.68 0.75 6.66 246.50
8 8.75 6.78 6.45 0.82 7.25 245.00
9 8.05 6.97 6.69 0.89 7.21 248.00
10 8.67 6.44 6.08 0.80 6.97 245.50
11 8.27 6.90 6.32 0.86 7.11 244.20
12 9.38 6.59 6.23 0.77 7.27 244.40
13 8.39 6.68 6.28 0.84 7.06 246.00
14 7.67 6.00 5.79 0.84 6.50 243.00
15 8.89 6.16 5.55 0.75 6.72 242.50
16 7.69 6.26 5.87 0.85 6.56 244.60
17 8.36 6.47 5.47 0.79 6.66 244.70
18 7.41 5.79 5.50 0.83 6.17 244.40
19 8.41 5.74 5.01 0.74 6.23 245.00
20 8.23 6.76 6.47 0.86 7.11 246.00
Mean 8.48 6.45 6.03 0.81 6.90 244.85
SD 0.50 0.40 0.43 0.04 0.35 1.64
CV % 0.25 0.16 0.18 0.00 0.13 2.72
83
Table A-2: Physical properties of chickpea (JG 130)
Observ
ation
Aspect
ratio, %
Surface
area, mm2
Bulk
density,
kg/m³
True
density,
kg/m³
Moisture
Content, %
Porosit
y, %
1 80.96 172.49 691.05 860.52 11.3 19.76
2 70.76 154.81 694.04 890.05 20.4 21.91
3 76.83 155.26 712.02 870.04 18.4 18.39
4 71.42 152.62 720.04 885.02 23.1 18.18
5 76.22 172.96 690.02 867.09 22.8 19.76
6 73.77 145.26 714.03 858.32 14.8 15.88
7 67.08 139.34 730.02 872.23 25.6 16.09
8 77.48 165.12 724.08 880.42 18.3 17.61
9 86.58 163.31 690.05 877.06 21.3 20.68
10 74.27 152.62 730.02 890.04 22.1 17.97
Mean 75.53 157.37 709.55 875.07 19.81 18.62
SD 5.51 11.02 0.01 0.01 4.25 1.92
CV % 30.36 121.65 0.0002 0.0001 18.09 3.69
84
Table A-3:Physical properties of chickpea seed (Vaibhav)
Observati
on
Length,
mm
Width,
mm
Thickness
, mm Sphericity
Geometri
c Mean
Dia
Weight of
1000
seeds, g
1 9.64 6.59 6.71 0.78 7.53 254.60
2 9.65 6.59 6.58 0.78 7.48 253.30
3 9.60 6.56 6.55 0.78 7.44 249.00
4 9.62 6.62 6.59 0.78 7.49 255.20
5 9.65 6.55 6.51 0.77 7.44 253.40
6 9.60 6.54 6.50 0.77 7.42 246.90
7 8.45 6.59 6.58 0.85 7.16 248.00
8 8.91 6.44 7.01 0.83 7.38 248.60
9 8.95 7.43 6.73 0.85 7.65 251.30
10 9.65 6.72 7.02 0.80 7.69 255.90
11 9.64 6.58 6.55 0.77 7.46 257.40
12 9.68 6.62 6.59 0.78 7.50 254.60
13 9.67 6.59 6.70 0.78 7.53 254.30
14 9.62 6.66 6.58 0.78 7.50 249.60
15 9.61 6.59 6.59 0.78 7.47 251.90
16 9.66 6.62 6.71 0.78 7.54 254.60
17 9.65 6.72 6.59 0.78 7.53 253.30
18 9.66 7.43 6.73 0.81 7.85 257.70
19 9.42 7.43 6.70 0.82 7.77 254.80
20 9.41 6.62 7.01 0.81 7.59 254.70
Mean 9.49 6.72 6.68 0.79 7.52 252.96
SD 0.33 0.31 0.16 0.03 0.15 3.11
CV 0.03 0.05 0.02 0.03 0.02 0.01
85
Table A-4:Physical properties of chickpea seed (Vaibhav)
Observ
ation
Aspect
ratio,
%
Surface
area, mm2
Bulk
density,
kg/m³
True
density,
kg/m³
Moisture
Content, %
Porosit
y, %
1 63.53 177.85 670.04 855.06 19.40 21.18
2 63.59 175.67 730.02 890.03 19.60 17.98
3 62.98 174.00 752.01 884.05 18.78 14.77
4 63.68 176.01 730.05 880.03 22.40 17.05
5 63.21 173.71 690.02 890.06 18.66 22.47
6 62.78 172.76 725.03 904.02 23.60 20.00
7 55.69 160.78 694.05 894.04 17.45 22.47
8 57.38 171.10 708.07 870.02 22.50 19.54
9 66.50 183.72 710.04 855.02 25.70 16.47
10 64.85 185.82 720.06 860.02 19.40 16.28
Mean 62.42 175.14 712.94 880.01 20.75 18.82
SD 3.31 6.89 0.02 0.02 2.64 2.72
CV 0.05 0.04 0.03 0.02 0.13 0.14
86
APPENDIX-B
Table B-1: Specification of developed inclined plate planter
Particulars
Overall dimensions (mm) 2180x1870x1150
Number of rows 4
Seed metering Rotating Disc with cells on its periphery
Fertilizer metering Agitator & Sliding Orifice type
Furrow openers Zero Tillage blade type openers for sowing in un-
prepared / zero tillage fields
Power transmission Chain and sprocket and bevel gears
Power source (hp) 35 or more
Hitching 3 Point Linkage
Frame Strong and Robust
Row Space 8” max. & adjustable with ‘U’ Clamps
Drive Ground Wheel driven (Driving wheel is at front in
centre of Planter)
Sowing depth Adjustable (Depth Control wheels are provided on
both sides of Planter)
Type Tractor Mounted
Seed box Separate for each furrow
Shape Semicircular
Fertilizer tank Shape Trapezoidal
Row to row spacing 500mm
Dia. of lugged type ground
wheel
420 mm
Total weight of machine 270 kg
87
APPENDIX- C
1. Seed rate
Table C-1: Seed rate of developed inclined plate planter at 20 revolution of ground
wheel during calibration.
Observation Seed rate at different angle, kg/ha
45o
50o 60
o
1 40.18 41.13 40.75
2 40.75 41.32 41.89
3 40.56 40.73 41.32
4 40.71 42.01 40.94
5 40.37 40.94 41.51
Average 40.51 41.25 41.28
SD 0.24 0.49 0.45
CV % 0.06 0.24 0.21
2. Theoretical seed rates
The number of chickpea seeds planted per hectare was calculated by using the
following relationship (Bakhtiari and Loghavi, 2009)
Where,
Rst = Theoretical seeding rate, seed/ha
W = Row width i.e. 50 cm
Xs = Seed spacing along the row i.e.20 cm
Rst = 200000 seed/ha
88
3. Seeding mass rate
The total mass of chickpea seeds planted per hectare expressed in Mg/ha was
calculated by using the following relationship (Bakhtiari and Loghavi, 2009):
[
]
Where,
Rsm = Seeding mass rate, Mg/ha;
M = Average mass of one seed i.e. 0.24 g
W = Row width i.e. 50 cm
Xs = Seed spacing along the row i.e. 20 cm
[
]
Rsm = 0.048 Mg/ha
4. Seed germination test
Table C-2: Germination percentage of chickpea seed
Observation Total No. of seed taken No. of germinated seed Germination, %
1 50 47 94
2 50 46 92
3 50 45 90
4 50 46 92
5 50 47 94
Average 50 46.2 92.4
SD
0.83 1.67
CV %
0.70 2.80
89
5. Mean spacing
Table C-3: Mean spacing of seed at different angle of seed box of developed inclined
plate planter.
Observation Seed spacing at different angle, cm
45o
50o 60
o
1 19.60 20.30 19.60
2 20.10 20.10 20.00
3 20.30 19.80 20.60
4 20.10 19.90 20.00
5 20.40 19.70 19.60
6 19.80 20.50 19.80
7 19.60 19.80 20.60
8 20.10 19.80 20.90
9 20.00 20.20 19.70
10 20.10 20.10 19.50
Average 20.01 20.02 20.03
SD 0.27 0.26 0.50
CV % 0.01 0.01 0.02
6. Multiple Index
Table C-4: Multiple Index of seed at different angle of seed box of developed inclined
plate planter
Observation Multiple Index at different angle, %
45o
50o 60
o
1 7.18 7.43 7.89
2 7.23 7.55 7.93
3 7.11 7.73 7.79
Average 7.17 7.57 7.87
SD 0.06 0.15 0.07
CV % 0.01 0.02 0.01
90
7. Missing Index
Table C-5: Missing index of seed at different angle of seed box of developed inclined
plate planter
Observation Missing Index at different angle, %
45o
50o 60
o
1 4.58 3.75 4.17
2 3.33 5 3.75
3 4.17 5 3.33
Average 4.02 4.58 3.75
SD 0.63 0.72 0.42
CV % 0.40 0.52 0.17
8. Quality of feed Index
Table C-6: Quality of feed Index of seed at different angle of seed box of developed
inclined plate planter
Observation Quality of feed Index, %
45o
50o 60
o
1 98.75 97.08 97.5
2 98.33 97.92 97.92
3 98.33 98.33 97.08
Average 98.47 97.78 97.5
SD 0.24 0.64 0.42
CV % 0.06 0.41 0.18
9. Seed damage
Table C-7: Seed damage of chickpea seed at different angle of seed box of developed
inclined plate planter
Observation Seed damage at different angle, %
45o
50o 60
o
1 0.23 0.37 0.56
2 0.27 0.55 0.60
3 0.18 0.51 0.46
Average 0.23 0.48 0.54
SD 0.04 0.09 0.06
CV % 0.002 0.0091 0.0047
91
10. Theoretical spacing between seed
The theoretical spacing between seed dropped by planter was calculated with
the help of the circumference of the ground wheel and the no. of cells in seed metering
plate.
Distance covered by the ground wheel in one revolution = π × D
= π × 42 cm
= 131.94 cm
Distance covered by the ground wheel in three revaluation = 3 × 131.94 cm
= 395.84 cm
Space between two consequently seed dropped by planter.
For 3 revolution of ground wheel the metering cell was rotating 0.810 times.
Since metering plate had 24 cells so, for 0.810 revolution the no. of cell dropping the
seed was 24 × 0.810 = 19.44
Therefore, the theoretical spacing between the plants was found to be
= 20.37 cm
≈ 20 cm.
Table C-8:Number of seed dropped per hills and distance between two seeds per hills
by developed inclined plate planter
S.No. NO. of seed per hills Distance, cm Spacing
1 2 0.5 19.60
2 2 0.4 20.10
3 1 0.4 20.30
4 2 0.7 20.10
5 2 0.7 20.40
6 2 0.5 19.80
7 3 0.8 19.60
8 2 0.6 20.10
9 2 0.5 20.00
10 3 0.8 20.10
Average 2.1 0.59 20.01
SD 0.56 0.15 0.27
CV % 0.32 0.023 0.01
92
APPENDIX- D
1. Bulk density
Table D-1: Bulk density of soil
Observation Bulk density, g/ml
1 1.31
2 1.35
3 1.31
4 1.43
5 1.40
Mean 1.36
SD 0.05
CV 0.002
2. Moisture content
Table D-2: Moisture content of soil
Observation Moisture content , %
1 20
2 19.35
3 23.33
4 21.87
5 22.85
Mean 21.48
SD 1.74
CV 3.04
3. Cone Index
Table D-3: Cone Index of soil
Observation Dial gauge deflection Kg/cm Cone index kPa
1 43 1.72 169.02
2 46 1.79 176.38
3 44 1.74 171.47
4 49 1.87 183.74
5 45 1.77 173.93
Average 45.4 1.78 174.91
SD 2.30 0.057 5.64
CV % 5.3 0.003 31.87
93
APPENDIX-E
1. Speed of operation
Table E-1: Travelling speed of developed inclined plate planter
Observation Distance, m time, s speed, km/h
1 20 19 3.78
2 20 21 3.42
3 20 21 3.42
4 20 22 3.27
5 20 20 3.6
Mean
20.6 3.50
SD
1.14 0.19
CV
1.30 0.03
Table E-2: Travelling speed of Y-tube type inclined plate planter
Observation Distance, m time, s speed, km/h
1 20 19 3.78
2 20 20 3.60
3 20 23 3.13
4 20 18 4.00
5 20 23 3.13
Mean
20.6 3.53
SD
2.30 0.39
CV
5.3 0.153
Table E-3: Travelling speed of ridge and furrow planter
Observation. Distance, m time, s speed, km/h
1 20 25 2.88
2 20 24 3.00
3 20 23 3.13
4 20 22 3.27
5 20 23 3.13
Mean
23.4 3.08
SD
1.14 0.14
CV
1.3 0.02
94
Table E-4: Travelling speed of multi-crop planter
Observation Distance, m time, s speed, km/h
1 20 19 3.78
2 20 22 3.27
3 20 20 3.60
4 20 23 3.13
5 20 19 3.78
Mean
20.6 3.51
SD
1.81 0.30
CV
3.3 0.09
2. Field capacity and field efficiency
Table E-5: Effective field capacity of developed inclined plate planter
Observation Area Time, s EFC, ha/h
1 1000 750 0.48
2 1000 800 0.45
3 1000 760 0.47
4 1000 850 0.42
5 1000 900 0.40
Average 812 0.44
SD 63.00 0.03
CV % 3970 0.001
Table E-6: Effective field capacity and field efficiency of developed inclined plate
Observation TFC, ha/h EFC, ha/h Field efficiency, %
1 0.7 0.48 68.57
2 0.7 0.45 64.28
3 0.7 0.47 67.66
4 0.7 0.42 60.50
5 0.7 0.40 57.14
Average 0.45 63.63
SD 0.03 4.82
CV % 0.0011 23.25
95
Table E-7: Effective field capacity and field efficiency of Y-tube type inclined plate
planter
Observation TFC, ha/h EFC, ha/h Field efficiency, %
1 0.7 0.46 65.71
2 0.7 0.45 64.28
3 0.7 0.45 64.28
4 0.7 0.42 60
5 0.7 0.43 61.42
Average 0.44 63.14
SD 0.016 2.34
CV % 0.00027 5.51
Table E-8: Effective field capacity and field efficiency of ridge and furrow planter
Observation TFC, ha/h EFC, ha/h Field efficiency, %
1 0.6 0.34 56.66
2 0.6 0.35 58.33
3 0.6 0.32 53.33
4 0.6 0.36 60.00
5 0.6 0.33 55.00
Average 0.34 56.66
SD 0.015 2.63
CV % 0.00025 6.94
Table E-9: Effective field capacity and field efficiency of multi-crop planter
Observation TFC, ha/h EFC, ha/h Field efficiency, %
1 0.63 0.43 68.25
2 0.63 0.44 69.84
3 0.63 0.40 63.49
4 0.63 0.41 65.07
5 0.63 0.42 66.66
Average 0.42 66.66
SD 0.01581 2.50
CV % 0.00025 6.29
96
APPENDIX-F
1. Plant population
Table F-1: Plant population chickpea at 20 DAS of different treatments
Treatment R1 R2 R3 R4
T1 20.30 20.57 20.23 20.50
T2 19.84 19.48 19.72 19.36
T3 20.35 20.72 20.85 20.48
T4 19.19 18.91 18.81 19.10
T5 28.85 29.55 29.38 29.02
Table F-2: ANOVA of plant population of chickpea at 20 DAS
S.V. D.F. S.S. M.S.S. F-cal F-tab
Replication 3 0.08 0.03 0.48 3.49
Treatment 4 283.33 70.83 1240.13 3.26
Error 12 0.69 0.06
Total 19 284.09
Table F-3: Plant population chickpea at harvest of different treatments
Treatment R1 R2 R3 R4
T1 19.70 19.97 19.64 19.90
T2 19.39 19.10 19.30 19.01
T3 20.03 20.30 20.37 20.10
T4 18.82 18.49 18.38 18.71
T5 27.47 28.13 27.97 27.63
97
Table F-4: ANOVA of plant population of chickpea at harvest
S.V. D.F. S.S. M.S.S. F-cal F-tab
Replication 3 0.05 0.02 0.34 3.49
Treatment 4 228.99 57.25 1153.35 3.26
Error 12 0.60 0.05
Total 19 229.64
Table F-5: Effect of different treatment on plant population
Treatment Plant population
20 DAS At harvest
T1 20.40 19.80
T2 19.60 19.20
T3 20.60 20.20
T4 19.00 18.60
T5 29.20 27.80
Sem 0.12 0.11
CD 5% 0.37 0.34
CV % 5.12 4.85
2. Plant height
Table F-6: Plant height (cm) of chickpea at 30 DAS of different treatments
Treatments R1 R2 R3 R4
T1 19.97 20.94 19.64 20.61
T2 20.89 19.80 20.52 19.43
T3 18.00 19.60 20.14 18.54
T4 20.71 19.18 18.67 20.20
T5 18.85 20.83 20.34 19.34
98
Table F-7: ANOVA of plant height of chickpea at 30 DAS
S.V. D.F. S.S. M.S.S Fcal Ftab
Replication 3 0.60 0.20 0.25 3.49
Treatment 4 3.66 0.92 1.13 3.26
Error 12 9.70 0.81
Total 19 13.97
Table F-8: Plant height (cm) chickpea at 60 DAS of different treatments
Treatments R1 R2 R3 R4
T1 35.19 36.90 34.62 36.33
T2 34.71 33.00 34.14 32.43
T3 31.06 33.31 34.06 31.81
T4 34.54 32.74 32.14 33.94
T5 31.93 34.31 33.72 32.52
Table F-9: ANOVA of plant height of chickpea at 60 DAS
S.V. D.F. S.S. M.S.S Fcal Ftab
Replication 3 1.27 0.42 0.28 3.49
Treatment 4 24.09 6.02 4.01 3.26
Error 12 18.03 1.50
Total 19 43.38
Table F-10: Plant height (cm) of chickpea at 90 DAS of different treatments
Treatments R1 R2 R3 R4
T1 45.31 47.38 44.62 46.69
T2 46.06 43.79 45.31 43.04
T3 40.77 43.19 43.99 41.57
T4 44.90 42.56 41.78 44.12
T5 41.86 44.44 43.80 42.50
99
Table F-11: ANOVA of plant height of chickpea at 90 DAS
S.V. D.F. S.S. M.S.S Fcal Ftab
Replication 3 1.26 0.42 0.19 3.49
Treatment 4 32.07 8.02 3.70 3.26
Error 12 26.00 2.17
Total 19 59.33
Table F-12: Plant height (cm) of chickpea at harvesting of different treatments
Treatments R1 R2 R3 R4
T1 57.24 59.68 56.42 58.86
T2 59.58 57.06 58.74 56.22
T3 49.79 52.42 53.29 50.66
T4 57.96 55.43 54.58 57.11
T5 53.82 57.38 56.49 54.71
Table F-13: ANOVA of plant height of chickpea at harvesting
S.V. D.F. S.S. M.S.S Fcal Ftab
Replication 3 2.19 0.73 0.26 3.49
Treatment 4 111.42 27.86 9.78 3.26
Error 12 34.18 2.85
Total 19 147.79
Table F-14: Effect of different treatment on plant height
Treatment Plant height, cm
30 DAS 60 DAS 90 DAS At harvest
T1 20.29 35.76 46.00 58.05
T2 20.16 33.57 44.55 57.90
T3 19.07 32.56 42.38 51.54
T4 19.69 33.34 43.34 56.27
T5 19.84 33.12 43.15 55.60
SEm 0.45 0.61 0.74 0.84
CD 5 % 1.39 1.89 2.27 1.89
CV 20.20 21.12 22.22 22.58
100
3. Branches
Table F-15: Number of branches of chickpea at 30 DAS of different treatments
Treatments R1 R2 R3 R4
T1 8.10 8.98 7.80 8.68
T2 7.82 7.07 7.57 6.82
T3 7.55 8.69 9.07 7.93
T4 7.10 6.46 6.24 6.88
T5 7.39 8.63 8.32 7.70
Table F-16: ANOVA of number of branches of chickpea at 30 DAS
S.V. D.F. S.S. M.S.S. Fcal Ftab
Replication 3 0.48 0.16 0.50 3.49
Treatment 4 8.57 2.14 6.61 3.26
Error 12 3.89 0.32
Total 19 12.94
Table F-17: Number of branches of chickpea at 60 DAS of different treatments
Treatments R1 R2 R3 R4
T1 26.26 27.79 25.75 27.28
T2 26.56 25.03 26.05 24.52
T3 24.53 25.98 26.47 25.02
T4 25.20 23.96 23.54 24.78
T5 24.87 26.73 26.26 25.34
Table F-18: ANOVA of number of branches of chickpea at 60 DAS
S.V. D.F. S.S. M.S.S. Fcal Ftab
Replication 3 0.74 0.25 0.28 3.49
Treatment 4 11.74 2.94 3.30 3.26
Error 12 10.68 0.89
Total 19 23.16
101
Table F-19: Number of branches of chickpea at 90 DAS of different treatments
Treatments R1 R2 R3 R4
T1 28.38 30.21 27.77 29.60
T2 28.21 26.50 27.64 25.93
T3 25.66 27.18 27.68 26.16
T4 27.79 25.96 25.35 27.18
T5 25.84 27.76 27.28 26.32
Table F-20: ANOVA of number of branches of chickpea at 90 DAS
S.V. D.F. S.S. M.S.S Fcal Ftab
Replication 3 0.66 0.22 0.18 3.49
Treatment 4 16.23 4.06 3.27 3.26
Error 12 14.91 1.24
Total 19 31.79
Table F-21: Number of branches of chickpea at harvestings of different treatments
Treatments R1 R2 R3
T1 23.61 25.28 23.06 24.73
T2 24.58 23.02 24.06 22.50
T3 21.74 23.39 23.94 22.29
T4 24.19 22.86 22.41 23.74
T5 21.14 23.00 22.53 21.61
Table F-22: ANOVA of number of branches of chickpea at harvesting
S.V. D.F. S.S. M.S.S Fcal Ftab
Replication 3 0.84 0.28 0.28 3.49
Treatment 4 9.89 2.47 2.46 3.26
Error 12 12.05 1.00
Total 19 22.77
102
Table F-23: Result
Treatment Number of branches
30 DAS 60 DAS 90 DAS AT HARVEST
T1 8.39 26.77 28.99 24.17
T2 7.32 25.54 27.07 23.54
T3 8.31 25.50 26.67 22.84
T4 6.67 24.37 26.57 23.30
T5 8.01 25.80 26.80 22.07
Sem 0.28 0.47 0.56 0.50
CD 5 % 0.88 1.45 1.72 1.45
CV 20.46 18.65 21.36 20.81
4. Number of pods
Table F-24: Number of pods per plant of different treatments
Treatment R1 R2 R3 R4
T1 19.74 20.97 19.61 20.84
T2 20.94 19.54 20.78 19.38
T3 18.24 19.74 19.90 18.40
T4 20.48 19.06 18.90 20.32
T5 19.00 20.68 20.51 19.17
Table F-25: ANOVA number of pods per plant of different treatments
S.V. D.F. S.S. M.S.S Fcal Ftab
Replication 3 0.53 0.18 0.22 3.49
Treatment 4 3.66 0.92 1.14 3.26
Error 12 9.66 0.81
Total 19 13.85
103
Table F-26: RESULT
Treatment Pods per plant
T1 115.27
T2 113.39
T3 107.61
T4 105.62
T5 107.12
Sem 0.45
CD 5 % 1.38
CV 20.16
5. Test weight of chickpea seed
Table F-27: Test weight (gram) of 1000 grain of chickpeas of different treatments
Treatments R1 R2 R3 R4
T1 242.89 246.55 241.67 245.33
T2 238.90 234.65 237.49 233.24
T3 232.37 239.48 241.85 234.74
T4 244.04 239.70 238.26 242.60
T5 238.71 245.49 243.79 240.41
Table F-28: ANOVA of test weight of 1000 grain of chickpea of different treatments
S.V. D.F. S.S. M.S.S Fcal Ftab
Replication 3 13.18 4.39 0.41 3.49
Treatment 4 185.45 46.36 4.36 3.26
Error 12 127.66 10.64
Total 19 326.29
104
Table F-29: RESULT
Treatment Test weight, g
T1 244.11
T2 236.07
T3 237.11
T4 241.15
T5 242.10
Sem 1.63
CD 5 % 5.03
CV 21.05
6. Grain yield
Table F-30: Grain yield (kg/ha) of chickpea plant of different treatments
Treatments R1 R2 R3 R4
T1 2821.02 2837.98 2815.36 2832.32
T2 2392.20 2377.90 2387.44 2373.14
T3 2726.39 2742.81 2748.29 2731.87
T4 2326.36 2312.46 2307.82 2321.72
T5 2337.28 2356.06 2351.36 2341.98
Table F-31: ANOVA of grain yield of chickpea of different treatments
S.V. D.F. S.S. M.S.S Fcal Ftab
Replication 3 84.30 28.10 0.28 3.49
Treatment 4 925346.61 231336.65 2318.89 3.26
Error 12 1197.14 99.76
Total 19 926628.05
105
Table F-32: RESULT
Treatment grain yield, kg/ha
T1 2826.67
T2 2382.67
T3 2737.34
T4 2317.09
T5 2346.67
Sem 4.99
CD 5 % 15.39
CV 19.89
7. Stalk yield
Table F-33: Stalk yield (kg/ha) of chickpea plant of different treatments
Treatments R1 R2 R3
T1 3581.27 3602.80 3574.10 3595.63
T2 3974.37 3950.62 3966.46 3942.71
T3 3459.51 3480.35 3487.29 3466.45
T4 3732.17 3709.87 3702.43 3724.73
T5 3797.75 3828.25 3820.63 3805.37
Table F-34: ANOVA of stalk yield of different treatments
S.V. D.F. S.S. M.S.S Fcal Ftab
Replication 3 146.12 48.71 0.22 3.49
Treatment 4 572753.16 143188.29 657.67 3.26
Error 12 2612.63 217.72
Total 19 575511.91
106
Table F-35: RESULT
Treatment stalk yield, kg/ha
T1 3588.45
T2 3958.54
T3 3473.40
T4 3717.30
T5 3813.00
Sem 7.38
CD 5 % 5.03
CV 24.22
107
APPENDIX-G
1. Energy requirement
Table G-1: Energy requirement of different sowing methods
Particulars T1 T2 T3 T4 T5
Machine energy
Weight , kg
Life, year
Life, h
Energy equivalent
Useful hour, h/ha
Total machine energy
270
8
2000
62.7
2.25
18.81
270
8
2000
62.7
2.27
19.24
-
-
-
-
-
-
300
8
2000
62.7
2.94
27.65
270
8
2000
62.7
2.38
20.15
Human energy
Required man
Energy equivalent,
MJ/h
Useful hour, h/ha
Total human energy
2
1.96
2.25
8.71
2
1.96
2.27
8.91
6
1.96
16
188.16
2
1.96
2.94
11.52
2
1.96
2.38
9.33
Fuel energy
Fuel consumption, l/h
Energy equivalent, MJ/l
Useful hour, h/ha
Total fuel energy
4.5
56.3
2.25
563.00
4.5
56.3
2.27
575.80
-
-
-
5
56.3
2.94
827.61
4.5
56.3
2.38
602.97
Total 590.52 603.94 188.16 866.79 632.45
108
APPENDIX-H
1. Cost analysisdeveloped inclined plate planter
1.1 Initial Cost of developed inclined plate planter
Cost of developed inclined plate planter/ Capital Cost = ₹ 110000/-
Following assumption was made for economic analysis:
a. Expected life = 8 years
b. Working hour (H) = 250 h/year, when working hour is 8 h/day (for two crops)
c. Salvage value (S)= 10% of initial cost
d. Rate of interest = 10% per annum
e. Labour required =2
f. Diesel cost = 70 ₹/l
g. Fuel consumption = 3.5 l/h
h. Lubrication cost = 20% of fuel cost
i. Repair and maintenance = 5% of initial cost
j. Shelter, insurance and tax cost = 2% of initial cost
k. Labour cost = 281 Rs/day
1.1.1 Fixed cost
1.1.1.1 Depreciation cost
D = Depreciation per hour
C = Capital investment
S= Salvage value, 10% of initial cost
H = Number of working hour per year
L = Life of machine in year
=
= Rs. 49.50
1.1.1.2 Interest
Insurance and taxes are against the losses in many farm machinery and
equipment.
=
= 24.20 ₹/h
109
1.1.1.3 Shelter, insurance and tax cost
Shelter is necessarily required against the weather changes. Shelter cost has
been calculated at 2% of the average purchase price.
Sc=
=
= 8.8 ₹/h
Then, Total fixed cost = ( 49.50 + 24.20+ 8.8) = 82.5 ₹/h
1.1.2 Variable cost
1.1.2.1 Fuel cost
Fuel cost /h
Diesel
Cost = 70 ₹/l
Fuel consumption is 4.5 l/h
= 315.00 ₹/h
1.1.2.2 Lubrication cost
Lubrication cost = 20 % of fuel cost
= 315 ×0.20 = 63 ₹/h
1.1.2.3 Repair and maintenance cost
Repair and maintenance @ 5% of initial cost
=
= 22.00 ₹/h
1.1.2.4 Labour charge
= 281 ₹/day
Labour required = 2
Actual field capacity = 0.44
Total hour for one hectare = 1/0.44
Labour cost= 70.25 ₹/h
Total variable cost = 315.00+63.00+22.00+70.25= 470.25 ₹/h
Total cost of weeding = fixed cost + variable cost
110
= 82.5 + 470.25
= 552.75 ₹/h
Average effective field capacity = 0.45 ha/h
Cost of operation of planter = 552.75/0.45
= 1228.33 ₹/ha
Table H-1: Cost of operation of developed inclined plate planter
Particulars Values
Fixed cost
Depreciation cost, ₹/h
Insurance cost, ₹/h
Tax + housing cost, ₹/h
Total fixed cost, ₹/h
49.50
24.20
8.8
82.5
Variable cost
Fuel cost, ₹/ha
Lubrication cost,₹/h
Repair and maintenance cost, ₹/h
Labour required
Labour charges, ₹/h
Total variable cost, ₹/h
315.00
63.00
22
2
70.25
470.25
Total operational cost, ₹/h
Field capacity, ha/h
Total operational cost, ₹/ha
552.75
0.45
1228.33
2. Cost analysis of Y-tube type inclined plate planter
Initial cost of Y-tube type inclined plate planter = Rs. 110000 /-
Depreciation, interest, shelter and all variable cost were calculated by similar
method used to calculated cost of operation of developed inclined plate planter by
taking all assumption same.
111
Table H-2: Cost of operation of Y-tube type inclined plate planter
Particulars Values
Fixed cost
Depreciation cost, ₹/h
Insurance cost, ₹/h
Tax + housing cost, ₹/h
Total fixed cost, ₹/h
49.50
24.20
8.8
82.5
Variable cost
Fuel cost, ₹/ha
Lubrication cost,₹/h
Repair and maintenance cost, ₹/h
Labour required
Labour charges, ₹/h
Total variable cost, ₹/h
315.00
63.00
22
2
70.25
470.25
Total operational cost, ₹/h
Field capacity, ha/h
Total operational cost, ₹/ha
552.75
0.44
1256.25
3. Cost analysis of manually sowing method
Table H-3: Cost of operation of manually sowing method
Particulars Values
Variable cost
Labour required
Labour charges, ₹/h
Total variable cost, ₹/h
1
35.125
35.125
Total operational cost, ₹/h
Field capacity, ha/h
Total operational cost, ₹/ha
35.125
0.01
3512.50
112
4. Cost analysis of ridge and furrow inclined plate planter
Initial cost of ridge and furrow inclined plate planter = Rs. 115000 /-
Depreciation, interest, shelter and all variable cost were calculated by similar
method used to calculated cost of operation of developed inclined plate planter by
taking all assumption same.
Table H-4: Cost of operation of ridge and furrow inclined plate planter
Particulars Values
Fixed cost
Depreciation cost, ₹/h
Insurance cost, ₹/h
Tax + housing cost, ₹/h
Total fixed cost, ₹/h
51.75
25.30
9.20
86.25
Variable cost
Fuel cost, ₹/ha
Lubrication cost,₹/h
Repair and maintenance cost, ₹/h
Labour required
Labour charges, ₹/h
Total variable cost, ₹/h
350.00
70.00
23.00
2
70.25
513.25
Total operational cost, ₹/h
Field capacity, ha/h
Total operational cost, ₹/ha
599.50
0.34
1763.24
113
5. Cost analysis of multi-crop inclined plate planter
Initial cost of multi-crop inclinedplate planter = Rs. 110000 /-
Depreciation, interest, shelter and all variable cost were calculated by similar
method used to calculated cost of operation of developed inclined plate planter by
taking all assumption same.
Table H-5: Cost of operation of multi-crop inclinedplate planter
Particulars Values
Fixed cost
Depreciation cost, ₹/h
Insurance cost, ₹/h
Tax + housing cost, ₹/h
Total fixed cost, ₹/h
49.50
24.20
8.8
82.5
Variable cost
Fuel cost, ₹/ha
Lubrication cost,₹/h
Repair and maintenance cost, ₹/h
Labour required
Labour charges, ₹/h
Total variable cost, ₹/h
315.00
63.00
22
2
70.25
470.25
Total operational cost, ₹/h
Field capacity, ha/h
Total operational cost, ₹/ha
552.75
0.42
1316.07
114
RESUME
1. Full Name : Shubham Sinha
2. Father’s Name : Mr. Dinesh Sinha
3. Mother’s Name : Mrs. Durga Sinha
4. Date of Birth : 28-02-1994
5. Permanent
Address
: Vill. + Post- Semra (Bhakhara), Tehsil-Kurud, Dist.-Dhamtari, (C.G.), Pin - 493770
6. E-mail : [email protected]
7. Mobile No. : 9685839796
8. Details of Educational Qualifications
Signature
Exams
Passed
Board/
University
% or
Grade
Year of
Passing
Subjects
B. E. CSVTU, Raipur
74.48
2015 Mechanical
Engineering
Higher
Secondary CGBSE Board 77.40 2011
Physics, Chemistry,
Mathematics,
Hindi, English
High School CGBSE Board 70.00 2009 Common Subject
