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Adisa, A. F.
Department of Agricultural Engineering, University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria
Braide, F. G.
Formerly of Agric. Engineering Department, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria
ABSTRACT
It is essential in integrated
farming systems which utilizes advanced agronomic practices, seed genetics and
on-farm technology to deliver optimal yield while using fewer resources.
Precision plant’s goal is to boost yields through equipment innovation which
traditional tools could not achieve. We calibrate a A newly developed equipment
is calibrated to prove its ability to perform it function reliably at optimum
operational settings. Basic requirements for small scale cropping machines are
suitability for small farms, simple in design and technology and versatile for
use in different farm operations. A template row planter was developed to
improve planting efficiency and reduce drudgery involved in manual planting
method. Also it increased seed planting, seed/fertilizer placement accuracies
and it was made of durable and cheap material affordable for the small scale
peasant farmers. The operating,
adjusting and maintaining principles were made simple for effective handling by
unskilled operators (farmers). At
determined optimum setting of operational critical parameters, the developed
template row planter was found suitable for manual operation at 0.20 ha/hr h
capacity and power required at best planting performance was found to be 42.5
Ww less than average 70 w a man can supply continuously and for tractor
operation at 0.39 ha/h capacity for single row. Seed filling efficiency of the
metering unit was also found to be 88% at standard deviation of 0.45 which is
an indication of high and reliable performance of the machine developed. Also
the draft requirement was found to be 85N at average speed of 2.16km/h for
manual operation.
Keywords: Calibration, template, row planter, seed filling efficiency
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Published
Thursday, December 27, 2018
Issue
Vol. 4 No. 2, DEC 2018
Article Section
GENERAL
The contents of the articles are the sole opinion of the author(s) and not of UJET.
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