Here is a list of seeding and fertilizing equipments used in agriculture: 1. Seed Drill 2. Furrow Openers 3. Cultivator with Seeding Attachment 4. One Row Jute Seed Drill 5. Single Row Cotton Seed Drill (Animal Drawn) 6. Pneumatic Seed Drill 7. Planter 8. Zero Till Drill 9. Strip-Till Drill 10. Low Land Paddy Seeder 11. Manually Operated 6-Row Rice Transplanter and a Few Others.
Equipment # 1. Seed Drill:
Seed drill is a machine for placing the seeds in a continuous flow in furrows at uniform rate and at controlled depth with or without the arrangement of covering them with soil.
Function of Seed Drill:
Seed drill performs the following functions:
1. To carry the seeds
2. To open furrow to a uniform depth
3. To meter the seeds
4. To place the seed in furrows in an acceptable pattern
5. To cover the seeds and compact the soil around the seed.
Seed cum Fertiliser Drill:
Seed drills, fitted with fertiliser dropping attachment, distribute the fertiliser uniformly on the ground. It is called seed cum fertiliser drill. Such a drill has a large seed box which is divided length-wise into two compartments, one for seeds and another for fertilisers.
Seed drill may be classified as:
1. Bullock drawn
2. Tractor drawn
Depending upon the method of metering the seeds, bullock drawn seed drill can be further divided into two groups in which seeds are dropped (a) by hand, (b) mechanically. There are a number of bullock drawn implements which are used for sowing seeds in which seeds are dropped by hand. The most popular implement is three tined cultivators with Seeding attachment. In different parts of the country it is made in different sizes and shapes.
Components of Seed Drill:
A seed drill with mechanical seed metering device mainly consists of:
1. Frame
2. Seed Box
3. Covering Device
4. Transport Wheels
5. Seed Metering Mechanism
6. Furrow Openers
1. Frame:
The frame is usually made of angle iron with suitable braces and brackets. The frame is strong enough to withstand all types of loads in working condition.
2. Seed Box:
It may be made of mild steel sheet or galvanized iron with a suitable cover. A small agitator is sometimes provided to prevent clogging of seeds.
3. Covering Device:
It is a device to refill a furrow after the seed has been placed in it. Covering the seeds are usually done by patta, chains, drags, packers, rollers or press wheels, designed in various sizes and shapes.
4. Transport Wheels:
There are two wheels fitted on the main axle. Some seed drills have got pneumatic wheels also. The wheels have suitable attachments to transmit power to operate seed dropping mechanism.
Equipment # 2. Furrow Openers:
The furrow openers are provided in a seed drill for opening the furrows before dropping the seeds. It may be called a part of the seed drill for opening a furrow. The seed tube conducts the seed from the feed mechanism into the boot from where they fall into the furrows.
Type of Furrow Openers:
Different types of furrow openers are:
i. Shovel Type
ii. Shoe Type
iii. Disc Type (Single Disc, Double Disc).
i. Shovel Type:
Shovel type furrow openers are widely used in seed drills.
Following are the three types of shovels in use:
(a) Reversible shovel
(b) Single point shovel and
(c) Spear point shovel
Shovel type openers are best suited for stony or root infested fields. These shovels are bolted to the flat iron shanks at the point where boots are fitted which carry the end of the seed tubes. In order to prevent shock loads due to obstructions, springs are provided. It is easy in construction, cheaper and easily repairable. It is very common with usual seed drill.
ii. Shoe Type:
It works well in trashy soils where the seed beds are not smoothly prepared. They are made from two flat pieces of steel welded together to form a cutting edge. It is especially suited for black cotton soil. Shoe is made of carbon steel having minimum carbon content of 0.5 percent with a minimum thickness of 4 mm.
iii. Disc Type:
They are of two types:
(a) Single disc type and
(b) Double disc type
(a) Single Disc Type:
It is a furrow opener consisting of one concave disc. Disc type furrow openers are found suitable where plant debris or trash mulches are used. It consists of a curved disc made of hardened steel. It is set at an angle which while operating shift the soil to one side making a small ridge.
The disc is kept clean by two scrapers, one toe shaped at the convex side and one ‘T’ shaped at the concave side. The disc penetrates well in the soil, cuts all the trashes and clods in the field. It works in sticky soils also, but the discs are costly and maintenance work is a bit difficult.
(b) Double Disc Type:
In double disc type furrow opener there are two flat discs, set at an angle to each other. The discs open a clean furrow and leave a small ridge in the centre. The seeds are dropped between the two discs, providing a more accurate placement. It is suitable for trashy lands. Seed drills attached with tractors having high speeds, usually used this type of furrow opener.
The furrow opener consists of:
Numbering and bold missing
i. Shovel
ii. Seed tube
iii. Boot for seed and fertilizer.
i. Shovel:
It is made of carbon steel having carbon content of 0.5 per cent and a minimum thickness of 4.0 mm.
ii. Seed Tube:
It is a tube which carries the seeds from the metering device to the boot. Seed tubes are provided at the lower end of the feed cups. They conduct seeds from feed cups to the furrow lines through suitable boots and furrow openers.
The most common type of seed tube is the steel ribbon one. The ribbon is rolled in the form of a tube in such a way that lower edge of the tube is thinner than the upper edge. Polythene or rubber tubes are also used for this purpose. The minimum diameter of seed and fertilizer tube is 25 mm.
iii. Boot:
It is a part of the sewing machine which conveys the seeds or fertilizers from the delivery tube to the furrow. It is bolted or welded to the tine. It is a hollow casting, into which the lower end of the seed tube is inserted and to which the furrow openers are attached.
Calibration of Seed Drill and Seed-Cum-Fertilizer Drill:
The procedure of testing the seed drill for correct seed rate is called calibration of seed drill. It is necessary to calibrate the seed drill before putting it in actual use to find the desired seed rate. Calibration is done to get a predetermined seed rate of the machine. Before using the seed drill or seed-cum fertilizer drill in the field, it is calibrated.
The following steps are followed for calibration of seed drill or seed-cum fertilizer drill:
i. Determine the nominal width (W) of drill.
W = M x S
Where M is the number of furrow openers and S is the spacing between the openers in metre and W is in metre.
ii. Find the length of a strip (L) having nominal width W necessary to cover 1/25th of a hectare.
L = 10000/W X 1/25 = 400/W metres
iii. Determine the number of revolutions (N) the ground wheel has to make to cover the length of the strip (L).
π x D x N = 10000/W x 1/25
Where D is diameter of ground wheel in metre,
Or N = 10000/ π x D x W x 1/25
= 400/ π x D x W rev/min
iv. 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.
v. Put selected seed and fertilizer in the respective hoppers. Place a sack or a container under each boot for seeds and fertilizers.
vi. Set the rate control adjustment for the seed and the fertilizer for maximum drilling. Mark this position on the control for reference.
vii. Engage the clutch or on-off adjustment for the hoppers and rotate the drive wheel at the speed N
N= 400 / π x D x W rev/min
viii. Weigh the quantity of seed and fertiliser, dropped from each opener and record on the data sheet.
ix. Calculate the seed and fertilizer, dropped in kg/hectare and record on the data sheet.
x. Repeat the process by suitable adjusting the rate control till desired rate of seed and fertilizer drop is obtained.
Test for Mechanical Damage of Seed:
Take the weight of damaged seeds in one kg of the sample and calculate the percentage of damaged seeds before and after the test.
Equipment # 3. Cultivator with Seeding Attachment:
A bullock drawn cultivator with seeding attachment is popular in the country. It may be two or three rows cultivator.
Three tyned cultivators with seeding attachment are used for sowing seeds in three rows at a time. The rate of seed dropping is controlled by hand. The main parts of the cultivator are the frame, three tynes fitted with reversible shovels, handle with seeding attachment and the beam. This implement is drawn by a pair of average bullocks. The size of the implement is in the range of 600 to 700 mm only.
Equipment # 4. One Row Jute Seed Drill:
One row jute seed drill is common in jute growing area of the country. It is manually operated implement. It consists of a seed box, seed dropping mechanism, land wheel, furrow opener, soil packer and a marker. The landwheel transmits the power to the seed dropping mechanism through a chain and sprocket system which is enclosed within a chain guard.
The seed dropping mechanism consists of a roller and a cup shaped collar, both having pockets. In some models, hoe attachment is also there in the seed drill for hoeing purpose. The operator pushes the seed drill by hand and moves forward, causing the seeds to drop behind the furrow opener. A marker helps in maintaining uniform distance between rows to row.
Equipment # 5. Single Row Cotton Seed Drill (Animal Drawn):
It is a simple implement specially designed for quick and efficient sowing of cotton seeds. It reduces labour of the farmers and gets the sowing done in well-spaced and straight rows. It can also be used as interculturing tool. The implement is generally pulled by a pair of medium sized animals or by a single animal.
The main components of this seed drill are:
1. Beam
2. Boot
3. Covering device
4. Furrow opener
5. Line marker
6. Handle
7. Seeding funnel with tube
Equipment # 6. Pneumatic Seed Drill:
In this device, usually individual seeds are sucked into a cell of an evacuator cylinder and are ejected at a predetermined position to the seed tubes by the interruption of the vacuum. A blast of air is used to clean the cell. Then the seeds are picked up from the hopper for the next cycle.
Equipment # 7. Planter:
Planter is normally used for those seeds which are larger in size and cannot be used by usual seed drills.
Functions of Planter:
1. To open the furrow
2. To meter the seed
3. To deposit the seed in the furrow
4. To cover the seeds and compact the soil over it.
A Planter Consists of:
1. Hopper
2. Feed metering device
3. Knock out arrangement
4. Cut-off mechanism
5. Furrow opener and
6. Other accessories
A planter has seed hopper for each row. Hopper is usually made of mild steel or any other suitable material.
Seed Metering Device in a Planter:
There are a number of seed metering devices in a planter but the most common device consists of a rotating plate at the bottom of seed hoppers. In some planters, vertical rotors as well as inclined rotors are also used. The most common is the horizontal seed plate used on planters. The horizontal seed plates have got suitable notches or holes called cell.
Depending upon the type of notches on the plates, it is of three types:
(i) Edge drop,
(ii) Flat drop,
(iii) Hill drop.
The Edge drop carries the seed on edge in the cell of the plate. The Flat drop carries the seed on a flat in the cell of the plate. Only one seed is allowed in the cell at each time. In Hill drop, the cells round the edge of the plate are large enough to admit several seeds at a time.
The rotating plate receives the seeds from the hopper. The plate moves under an arrangement called Cut- off which allows only those seeds which are accommodated in the cells. Cut-off mechanism cuts-off or brushes out excess seeds from the cells of the feed mechanism.
Knock out mechanism is a device which knocks out the seeds from the cells or picker heads of the mechanism. It consists of rollers, star wheels or rounded points which are forced into the cells by the pressure of a spring and eject seeds out of the cells.
The spacing of seeds or hills in the row is determined by the ratio of linear or peripheral speed of the cells to the forward speed of the planter and by the distance between the cells in the metering unit.
The accuracy of the planter depends upon several factors such as:
1. Speed of seed plate
2. Shape and size of cells
3. Shape of hopper bottom and
4. Uniformity of seed size
Planter is usually used for those seeds which are required to be sown at equal intervals between plants to plant.
Types of Planter:
i. Potato Planters:
Potato is an important crop in India. It requires a lot of labour for sowing the seeds in the fields. Potato planter is getting popular day by day.
Potato planters have two types of potato dropping mechanism:
1. Automatic
2. Semi-automatic
1. Automatic Potato Planters:
The automatic potato planter consists of a hopper for each row and cups with chain drive mechanism. The graded potatoes are picked up by the cup and carried to furrow opener spout and released in the furrow. A feeder roller connected to compensating tray which contains spare potato checks each cup.
If a cup is empty, a potato is released from compensating tray ensuring a uniform seed spacing with no missing. The fertilizer and pesticide can also be placed simultaneously. It can plant in 2-4 rows. Its capacity may be 6000-14000 potatoes/hr.
2. Semi-Automatic Potato Planter:
It is used for planting of potatoes. The semi- automatic potato planter consists of a hopper, metering disc and furrow openers. The fertilizer application unit can be attached separately. The potatoes from the hopper are placed in metering disc which contains a number of compartments.
This disc is rotated through gear drive mechanism. The potatoes drop due to gravity in the furrow openers. The ridges are also formed by the furrow openers. It is used for planting of potatoes. It may plant in 2-4 rows. Its field capacity may be 0.15-0.25 ha/hr. It may be run by a 20-25 hp tractor.
ii. Sugarcane Planter (Semi-Automatic):
It is used for planting of sugarcane sets. Desired spacing between row to row and plant to plant is maintained for sugarcane planting. The fertilizer and chemical pesticides can be applied simultaneously. The machine consists of a hopper, two rotating distributor discs, two fertilizer hoppers, a pesticide tank with a distribution valve and two furrow openers.
All these components are mounted on a frame and two wheels. The seed distributor box and applicator are powered from ground wheels through a set of roller chains and gears. Two persons are required to put sets in seed rotor manually from the hopper. The machine is mounted on the tractor. Its output may be 0.6 ha/hr. It may require 4-6 men for field operations.
Equipment # 8. Zero Till Drill (No Till Drill):
It is tractor drawn Drill machine, which is used for sowing wheat in the freshly harvested rice fields without any extra tillage operation.
The salient features are as follows:
1. The machine is drawn by a 30-35 hp tractor.
2. It is a nine row unit consisting of fluted rollers for seed metering.
3. It is fitted with vertical rotors over adjustable, openings for fertilizer metering.
4. It has T-type furrow openers of narrow width which penetrates into the soil up to the desired depth and places the seed in moist zone.
5. The ground drive wheel supplies power through sprocket and chain for metering of seed and fertilizer.
6. The field capacity of the machine is 0.35 to 0.5 ha/hr.
7. Sowing operation is possible to be advanced by about 15-20 days as compared to conventional method of seed bed preparation and sowing.
Advantages:
1. No extra cost on seed bed preparation.
2. Considerable saving of cost on water application also.
3. 15 to 25% increase in yield due to timely sowing.
Equipment # 9. Strip-Till Drill:
Strip-till drill is a machine combining – (i) tillage, and (ii) sowing operations, thereby saving time and energy. It is used for direct sowing of wheat after paddy and other crops in unprepared fields.
Constructional Details:
The machine consists of a 9-tyne seed-cum-fertilizer drill with a rotary blade attachment, operating in front of the furrow openers. The rotary attachment consists of a frame with nine flanges welded to the rotor. Each flange has six C-type blades. Row spacing of the crop is same as spacing between the flanges.
Power transmission unit consists of:
(i) Rotor shaft,
(ii) Speed reduction gear box, and
(iii) Chain and sprocket drive.
Tractor pto supplies power to rotors shaft through the gear box and chain-sprocket drive, pto speed is 540 rpm and rotor speed is 300 rpm. A sheet cover is there for safety purpose. It is operated by 35 hp tractor. Its effective output is about 0.3-0.4 ha/h. It saves considerable time and energy in field operation. For minimum tillage, this machine is mostly used for wheat sowing.
Equipment # 10. Low Land Paddy Seeder:
It is a device used for sowing pre-germinated paddy in puddled field.
The main features are as follows:
1. It has 8 rows with 200 mm row to row spacing.
2. A lugged wheel is providing for giving drive to an agitator in the drums to facilitate easy flow of pre-germinated seeds.
3. The machine floats on two skids.
4. Pre-germinated paddy seeds are kept in four drums which have peripheral openings at two ends for seed discharge.
5. Seed flow can be cut off by closing the holes with the help of rings provided over the drums.
Advantages:
During peak transplanting season, there is shortage of labour. So transplanting is very much delayed. Due to delay, only aged seedlings are available, this reduces general production of rice, so pre-germinated seeds are broadcasted by this machine to save time and energy.
Equipment # 11. Manually Operated 6-Row Rice Transplanter:
Manually operated rice transplanter transplants mat type seedlings, which are raised in a nursery.
The salient features are as follows:
1. Planting mechanism consists of fixed opening type finger bar. This bar is actuated by hand operated lever.
2. Mat type rice seedlings are raised in a separate nursery with all precautions. This involves extra cost.
3. Well puddled field is required for this machine.
4. Row to row spacing of 200 mm is maintained for this machine.
5. The depth of planting varies between 20-30 mm.
6. Two to five seedlings are transplanted in one hill.
7. The average field capacity is about 0.02 ha/h and field efficiency is about 55%.
9. It saves about 65% labour and operating time.
10. It saves about 45% on cost of operation, compared to manual transplanting.
11. The machine is under constant improvement by research and development centre.
Equipment # 12. Self-Propelled Riding Type Rice Transplanter:
A rice transplanter, fitted with an engine is called self-propelled rice transplanter.
The main features are as follows:
1. Such a transplanter is fitted with a 3 hp engine.
2. Transplanting mechanism consists of fixed fork and knocks out lever type planting fingers.
3. A float is provided on which the entire unit is fitted.
4. Mat type seedlings are used in this machine.
5. One operator and two helpers are required during field operation.
6. It has controls to regulate spacing between hills (100-125 mm).
7. Number of seedlings per hill varies from 3 to 8.
8. Depth of transplanting is up to 60 mm.
9. Row to row spacing is 20 cm.
10. As there is positive displacement of seedlings to the soil, the missing hills are minimum.
11. Because of the float, the transplanter does not have any sinkage problem in the field. The float can be lifted easily while crossing the field bunds.
12. This machine is under constant improvement through research and development centres.
Equipment # 13. Tractor Mounted Ridger Type Sugarcane- Cutter-Planter:
It is a 2-row tractor mounted implement.
The following are the main functions of this machine:
1. Accepting the whole cane.
2. Cutting the sugar cane setts.
3. Planting the setts.
4. Application of granular fertilizer in the field.
All the above functions are completed in a single pass of the machine.
The machine has the following components:
1. Sett cutting unit
2. Sett feeding unit
3. Fluted rollers for fertilizer metering unit.
The average field capacity is about 0.2 ha/h. The depth of placement of sett is in the range of 160-180 mm. The power unit is a 35 hp tractor for satisfactory operation of this machine. It saves about 85% labour and operating time and 60% on cost of operation as compared to conventional method of sowing.
Equipment # 14. Manually Operated Mustard Drill:
A seed drill suitable for sowing mustard and rape seed is called “Mustard Drill”.
The main features of this drill are as follows:
1. For metering seeds, fluted rollers with narrow flutes are provided.
2. For opening furrows, shovel type furrow openers are fitted in the machine.
3. Power transmission mechanism consists of:
(a) Ground wheel, and
(b) Chain and Sprocket
Metering mechanism gets power from ground wheel through chain and sprocket arrangement.
4. The drill is operated with the help of two persons.
5. The average field capacity is about 0.08 ha/h and field efficiency is about 85%.
6. This drill can be used for some other crops also like wheat and green gram after changing the fluted rollers.
Equipment # 15. Tractor Mounted Planter with Inclined Plate Type Metering Mechanism:
Some tractor mounted planters have inclined plate type metering mechanism for some special benefits.
This planter consists of:
1. Main frame
2. Seed box
3. Seed metering mechanism
4. Furrow openers
5. Ground drive wheel
6. Power transmission system
The main frame is made of 40 x 40 x 5 mm size box section. Shoe type furrow openers with seed boxes are clamped on the rear tool bar of the frame. Inclined plate type seed metering mechanism is provided on each seed box.
Seed metering system is driven by a spiked ground wheel, fitted on front side of the frame through sets of chain and sprockets and bevel gears. The field capacity of the planter is about 0.50 ha/h.
This planter is useful for kabuli gram, mustard, ground nut, maize, pigeon pea, and gram.
Equipment # 16. Tractor Mounted Cultivator Seed Planter:
Tractor drawn cultivator is provided with an additional attachment for planting seeds.
The salient features are as follows:
1. The 9-row unit has got cup feed type seed metering mechanism.
2. Power is transmitted from ground wheel to metering mechanism through chain and sprocket unit.
3. There is provision of dog clutch in the unit.
4. The planter is suitably operated with a tractor of 30-35 hp range.
5. This machine covers average width of about 2.00 m.
6. Its average field capacity is about 0.60 ha/h and field efficiency is about 80%.
7. The planter is useful for crops like ground nut, gram and soyabean.
Equipment # 17. Tractor Mounted Pneumatic Planter:
Pneumatic planter works on suction principle.
The important features are as follows:
1. A six row tractor drawn pneumatic precision planter is used for accurate planting of single seed at predetermined seed/row spacing.
2. Air is sucked through a rotating plate, having various holes radically.
3. Any seed coming in contact gets stuck to the hole on the plate and falls when suction is cut off at the lowest position near the ground.
Advantage:
Correct seed placement ensures:
1. Saving in costly seeds.
2. Reducing the problem of thinning.
3. Increasing crop yield because each plant gets desired quantity of sunlight, water and nutrients.
Equipment # 18. Fertilizer Distributor (Tractor Mounted):
It is used to spread the fertilizer in the band form. It is a semi-mounted implement attached to the tractor hitch system. The application rate can be controlled by the lever thereby opening and closing the aperture. The application rate varies from 50 kg to 1000 kg per hectare. Its capacity may be 0.35 cubic metre.
Equipment # 19. Fertilizers Spreader:
It is used for spreading of fertilizer and granular insecticides. It is attached to the tractor with 3 point linkage system and is powered by the pto of tractor. The power is transmitted to the disc which accelerates the fertilizer along the oscillating spout. Even distribution of fertilizer is achieved with the spreader.