Design Development and Performance Evaluation of Solar Operated Pigeon Pea (Cajanus cajan L. Millsp.) Pruner

Abstract

Pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan L. Millsp.) is a vital grain legume known for its contribution to food security and soil fertility. However, pruning, which enhances plant architecture and yield, remains a significant challenge in its cultivation, especially in large-scale operations. Manual pruning is labor-intensive, time-consuming, and costly, which has led to the need for mechanized alternatives, a solar-operated pruner was developed at IGKV, Raipur, to reduce labour, time, and costs. This study focuses on the design, development, and performance evaluation of a solar-operated pruner tailored specifically for pigeon pea. The pruner integrates key components such as a cutting blade, DC motor, solar panel, battery, and charge controller. A 12 V DC motor, generating 10.53 N of force and operating at 8500 RPM, ensures efficient pruning. The motor is powered by a 7.2 Ah battery, which can be charged in 4 hours using an AC adaptor or 8 hours via a 10 W solar panel. The battery allows for 4-6 hours of continuous operation. The pruner's lightweight PVC frame makes it portable and user-friendly, while the protective blade guard ensures operator safety. Performance evaluation of the pruner indicated a field efficiency of 81% and pruning efficiency of 76%. The actual field capacity was measured at 0.097 ha/h, with a walking speed of 1.2 km/h. Losses due to half-cut stems were calculated at 9.04%. The pruner demonstrated its ability to reduce labor costs, improve pruning efficiency, and promote sustainable agriculture through its solar-powered operation. This study highlights the economic and environmental benefits of adopting solar-operated pruners for pigeon pea cultivation.