Performance Evaluation of Tractor-Drawn Wheat Seed Drill
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.54536/ari.v3i2.5579Keywords:
Field Capacity, Field Efficiency, Germination, Hopper Filling, Operating SpeedAbstract
A staple food in one-third of the world's population, wheat is one of the most significant cereal crops. Sub-Saharan Africa's top producer of wheat is Ethiopia. In terms of area coverage, wheat comes in fourth place behind maize (Zea mays), sorghum (Sorghum bicolor), and teff. It comes in second place behind maize in terms of total production and productivity. The purpose of this study was to design, develop, and assess the performance of a prototype seed drill that could apply fertilizer and sow wheat seeds at specific depths and row spacing. Row spacing, depth of seed placement, plant count/stand, field capacity, field efficiency, labor cost, and economics of owning and operating were all taken into consideration when evaluating the performances. A randomized complete block design was employed for the experiment, which included three replications, three hopper fill levels, and three operating speeds. It showed that, when compared to the germination percentage of the seed suggested by the seed supplier, there was no decrease in the percentage of visible and invisible mechanically damaged seed by the seed drill for any variety. In accordance with wheat agronomic requirements, the seed and fertilizer rates were calibrated at 125 kg/ha and 150 kg/ha, respectively, for 20 cm row spacing and 5 cm depth. The seed drill was tested with hopper filling levels of H50, H75, and H100 and speeds of 3, 4, and 5 km/h. The seed and fertilizer rate was significantly affected by the seed drill's forward speed and hopper filling capacity at p < 0.05. The optimum operating speed must be kept to a minimum of 3 km/h. At a speed of 4 km/h, the average field capacity, field efficiency, and fuel consumption were 0.36 ha/hr, 76.80%, and 4.76 l/hr. During the field germination count, there were between 375 and 379 plants per 1.2 m2 area. The majority of farmers can use the developed seed drill effectively, economically, and efficiently, according to the results of the performance evaluation.
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