Design and Development of Ardiuno Based Seed Sowing Machine

Abstract

Pulses is one of the important crops. Pulses has a high dietary value due to their high protein content. The pulse crop is primarily farmed for its grains, which are consumed whole or split (dal). Proper and timely planting has a significant impact on seed germination, plant growth, plant population in the field, and, eventually, overall production.  In general, pulses are sown by animal/tractor drawn seed drill or manually. Tractor-drawn seed drills are best suited for medium to large farms with a high seed rate. Draft animals are not only growing more expensive, but they are also becoming scarce.  More than 75% of Indian farmers are small and marginal farmers who perform all of their operations manually.  Manual sowing is a highly labour intensive, tedious, time consuming and not technically suitable. Therefore, a double row ardiuno based battery operated seed sowing machine for pulses seed was developed and tested. During the study, the required physical property of chickpea seed was determined. The developed seed drill was tested for laboratory and field test. The overall size of developed seed sowing machine was 930×600×740 mm. It was operated through 24V (type Lead acid / li-ion) battery. A DC motor of 250 watt 24V was used as power source. Ground wheels have 15 lugs. It sowed seeds in two rows at a time. The overall weight of developed seed drill was 37 kg. In the laboratory test, seed rate, and mechanical damage of the developed seed sowing machine were 63.20 kg/ha, and 1.20% respectively. The overall performance of the developed seed sowing machine was found satisfactory. While in the field, draft of implement 37.19 kgf, missing index 2.46%, depth of seed placement 6.10cm, and draft of implement 14.51 kgf, missing index 3.63%, depth of seed placement 6.20 cm, The field efficiency of the developed seed sowing machine 83% respectively.