SpringerLink
Log in

Multi-Stage Metering Mechanism for Transplanting of Vegetable Seedlings in Paper Pots

  • Original Contribution
  • Published:
Journal of The Institution of Engineers (India): Series A Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A multi-stage rotating cup type metering mechanism was developed for transplanting of vegetable seedlings of tomato, brinjal and chili raised in paper pots. The developed setup consisted of a seedling feeding wheel, metering wheel, fixed slotted plate, seedling delivery tube, furrow opener, furrow closer and a power transmission system. Its evaluation was carried out with pot seedlings of tomato, brinjal and chili of 8–11 cm height at five forward speeds (0.6, 0.9, 1.2, 2.2 and 3.2 km/h) and two plant spacings (45 and 60 cm) in controlled soil bin condition. The mean values of feeding efficiency, conveying efficiency, planting efficiency and overall efficiency of the multistage metering unit were observed to be higher than 90 % for forward speeds of 0.6 to 2.2 km/h. With further increase in speed to 3.2 km/h, the feeding and conveying efficiency were observed to be higher than 90 %, whereas, the planting efficiency drastically reduced to around 50 % due to the problem in getting the pot seedlings vertically in the furrow. Also the seedlings were falling into the furrow at an angle greater than 70° to the vertical, hence not suitable for transplanting.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. W.C. Choi, D.C. Kim, I.H. Ryu, K.U. Kim, Development of a seedling pick-up device for vegetable transplanters. Trans. Am. Soc. Agric. Biol. Eng. 45(1), 13–19 (2002)

    Google Scholar 

  2. D. Chaudhuri, V.V. Singh, A.K. Dubey, Refinement and adoption of mechanical vegetable transplanter for Indian condition. Agric. Eng. Today 26(5–6), 11–20 (2002)

    Google Scholar 

  3. Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU), Report of the All India Coordinated Research Project on Farm Implements and Machinery (Department of Farm Machinery and Power, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, 2006), p. 13

    Google Scholar 

  4. S. Singh, Research Highlights (All India Coordinated Research Project on Farm Implements and Machinery, Central Institute of Agricultural Engineering, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, 2008), p. 32

    Google Scholar 

  5. M. Mahapatra, Design development and evaluation of a power tiller operated vegetable transplanter. Unpublished PhD thesis, (Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Mohanpur, West Bengal, 2010), p 150

  6. B.B. Gaikwad, Design and development of plug seedling transplanter for vegetable crop. Unpublished PhD thesis, (Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, 2010), p 120

  7. R.D. Munilla, L.N. Shaw, A high speed dibbling transplanter. Trans. Am. Soc. Agric. Biol. Eng. 30(4), 904–908 (1987)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. T. Nambu, M. Tanimura, Development of automatic transplanter using chain pot for vegetable crops. Acta Hortic. 319, 541–546 (1992)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. H.L. Brewer, Conceptual modeling of automated seedling transfer from growing trays to ship** modules. Trans. Am. Soc. Agric. Biol. Eng 37(4), 1043–1051 (1994)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. L.N. Shaw, Automatic transplanter for vegetables. Proc. Fla. State Hortic. Soc. 110, 262–263 (1997)

    Google Scholar 

  11. G.V.P. Kumar, H. Raheman, Development of a walk behind type hand tractor operated vegetable transplanter for paper pot seedlings. Biosyst. Eng. 110(2), 189–197 (2011)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. C.W. Suggs, H.B. Peel, T.N. Thomas, D.L. Eddington, J.W. Gore, T.R. Seabach, Self feeding transplanter for tobacco and vegetable crops. Appl. Eng. Agric. 3(2), 148–152 (1987)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. H. Ueno, N. Matsumura, M. Miyaji, Effects of biodegradable pot on growth and quality of pumpkin seedling. Bull. Exp. Farm 24, 19–32 (2002). (Faculty of Agriculture, Ehime University, Matsuyama, Japan)

    Google Scholar 

  14. B.M. Nandede, H. Raheman, G.V.P. Kumar, Standardization of potting mix and pot volume for the production of vegetable seedlings in paper pot. J. Plant Nutr. 37(8), 1214–1226 (2014)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. B.M. Nandede, H. Raheman, H.V. Deore, Selection of suitable furrow opener and furrow closer for vegetable transplanter. Agric. Mech. Asia Afr. Lat. Am. 45(2), 40–47 (2014)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The financial support extended by Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), New Delhi to carryout this research work is gratefully acknowledged.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. ICAR-Central Institute of Agricultural Engineering, Bhopal, India

    B. M. Nandede

  2. Agricultural and Food Engineering Department, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, India

    H. Raheman

Authors
  1. B. M. Nandede
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. H. Raheman
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to B. M. Nandede.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Nandede, B.M., Raheman, H. Multi-Stage Metering Mechanism for Transplanting of Vegetable Seedlings in Paper Pots. J. Inst. Eng. India Ser. A 96, 295–300 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40030-015-0130-2

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40030-015-0130-2

Keywords

Search

Navigation