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Evaluation and Extension of Power Tiller Operated Potato Planter in the Farmers’ Field

Md. Israil Hossain
FMPE, BARI

Jahidul Islam
FMPE, BARI

Shakhwat Hossain
FMPE, BARI

Ilias Hossain
FMPE, BARI

B KGoshamai
FMPE, BARI

Altaf Hossain
FMPE, BARI

Arshadul Hoque
FMPE, BARI

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

A low cost power tiller operated cup type potato planter was developed in Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI) Gazipur which can plant whole tuber potato seeds as well as cut piece potato seeds automatically in furrows at predetermined regular intervals. Potato planter maintains a single row of spacing 600 mm and seed to seed distance average 200-250 mm for whole tuber seed and 150-160 mm for cut piece seed. This planter singularizes the seed by a series of cups equally spaced that pass vertically through the secondary seed box for taking one piece of seed per cup. The planters perform four mechanical functions simultaneously, viz., opening furrow, metering the seed, and making beds along with covering the seed. Performance of the planter was evaluated in the farmer’s fields to determine the effect of forward speed and seed sizes on the uniformity of spacing and seed missing during 2013-14. Four speeds and three seed sizes were varied to evaluate the planter. Uniformity of spacing varied with the increase of operational speed. It was found that forward speed of 2.4 km/hr is the best in respect of uniformity of spacing and missing seeds. Seed sizes of 35 mm were found the best in respect of uniformity of spacing (94%) at the speed of 2.4 km/hr. Field demonstrations were conducted at on station and the farmers field of Puthia, Paba Rajshahi. The average effective field capacity of cup type planters were 0.10 ha/hr and missing seed was 3%. Potato planter requires 4 man-days/ha compare to 67 man-days/ha in conventional manual planting method. Potato planting cost were Tk.4804/ha. On the other hand, using whole tuber and cut piece seed, manually potato planting cost was Tk.14,740/ha and Tk.16940/ha. Labour requirement for whole tuber seed planting in case of planter and conventional method were 4 man days and 67 man days, respectively. There are no significant yield difference between potato planter and conventional methods. Manufacturers and operator trainings were conducted under the project works. Farmers field day was also conducted near the potato field showing the crops condition of mechanically planted plots and conventional planted plots. Potato planter can save labour requirement of 63 man-days/ha and planting cost Tk 9936/ha which was equivalent to 94% and 67% saving of labour and planting cost, respectively compare to conventional manual potato planting method.

Keywords: Potato planter, Power tiller, Earthingup

Location: Rajshahi

Start Date: 00-00-2013

End Date: 00-00-2014

Program Area: Farm Mechanization

Commodity: Planter, Power Tiller

Objectives:

To demonstrate and evaluate the performance of the potato planter in the farmer’s field
To compare the economic benefit of the potato planter with conventional manual planting

Methodology:

Power tiller operated potato planter was constructed with the available materials from local market. The steps of conventional hand planting method were considered and incorporated within the potato planter construction.

The followings were the major factors considered in designing potato planter.

The potato planter should be suitable for planting whole tuber potato seed and cut piece seeds.
The planter should be able to place potato seed in regular interval, apply and make ridges simultaneously.
The planter should be able to satisfy the agronomic requirements of potato crop.
The planter should be simple in construction so that it could be fabricated easily by local manufacturers.

(v) The planter can be pulled by power tiller.

Standard planting pattern of whole tuber seed

(a) ‘A’ grade seed (28-40 mm) to be sown successfully

(b) Seed to seed distance to be maintained: 250 mm

Cut piece seed: Average seed size: 20g; Spacing: 600 mm x 160 mm

There were 11 pairs of potato cups fixed on a 40 mm flat belt, forming an endless loop. The cup size is 40 mm. According to the design criteria, potato cups were positioned 110 mm apart from each successive cup to provide the recommended 250 mm spacing for planting whole potato seeds and 160 mm spacing for cut piece seeds. The belt was coupled between drive and driven pulleys 780 mm distance vertically arranged on the toolbar frame. The diameter of the seed metering device pulley was 120 mm. The sprocket ratio was 2.2 for obtaining desired seed spacing 250 mm. In the forward speed of potato planter without drive wheel slippage, metering cup hold one piece seed and release it near the bottom of the open furrow. The spacing between one seed to another seed was controlled by the metering pulley rotation through sprocket ratio and power transmission arrangement. Potato planter was constructed with locally available materials MS Sheet, angle bar, steel shaft etc. Main functional component are (i) Potato seed hopper (ii) Gang of rotary blades (iii) Cup type metering mechanism (iv) Roller type bed maker. It acted as tilling the soil, place the whole tuber seeds in pre determined distance and earthing up simultaneously. Performance of the potato planter was evaluated on station and farmers field of potato growing area Puthia, Paba, Rajshahi with a view to observe the accuracy of planting, mass awareness and popularization mechanized seeding among the farmers. The potato planter worked as tilling, placing potato seeds in regular interval and earthing up simultaneously at one operation. The trials were set up 22-29 November 2013 in Puthia, Paba area of Rajshahi, Bangladesh. There were three seed sizes (25 mm, 35 mm and 45 mm) and four operating speeds (1.4 km/hr, 2.4 km/hr, 3.5 km/.hr and 4.2 km/hr) were selected for optimize the speed and planting accuracy. Moreover, training of machinery operators, manufacturers and advanced potato growers were conducted under the programme at BARI Rajshahi.

Source of Information: Annual Research Report, FMPE, BARI--2013-14

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Potato planter field test was conducted in the on station and farmers field of Puthia, Paba, Rajshahi in 2013. In these trials, the potato planter field performances were evaluated on the basis of uniformity of spacing, seed missing, and cost of different operation. In these trials average seed size of 35 mm used for cup type planter with operating speed of 2.4 km/hr. Cup type planter can form one bed of 600 mm size per pass. Power tiller of 12 Hp (9 kW) was capable to operate the potato planter. Field performances of power tiller operated potato planter were calculated on the basis of area coverage, operating speed, effective time of operation, width of planting and fuel consumption. Effective field capacity of the cup type planter were 0.10 ha/hr and field efficiency 71.4% respectively. Average fuel consumption of the cup type potato planter were 1.25 lit./hr. It was also found that EFC varied on field size and shape. EFC was more in larger field size compare to small field size and irregular shape of field. Uniformity of spacing was evaluated for the cup type potato planter with different seed sizes (25, 35 and 45 mm). Uniformity of spacing varied with the increase of operational speed. Uniformity index of seed distribution decreased with the increase of forward speed of potato planter. Among the three seed sizes, it was observed that the 35 mm size showed higher uniformity index than that of 25 mm. The seed size 45 mm produced the lowest uniformity index. There were significant variations of uniformity index among the seed sizes. At higher speed, cup could not pick seed pieces properly. The cause of this variation was belt slippage and missing seeds during the planting operations. Different seed sizes exerted different loads on the metering cups of belt during the belt movement through the secondary seed box. So, operational speed should be selected carefully for more planting accuracy. Potato cultivation was a huge labour intensive works. Planting and harvesting operation were major section of labour involvement. Total labour requirement of potato cultivation was 246 man-days/ha. Labour requirement for manual planting and harvesting were 45 and 112 man-days/ha, respectively. Among the total labour requirement planting operation need 18% labour. A discussion meeting among the potato growers, potato cold storage owners, potato business man, manufacturers were held at Shyampur, Rajshahi for collecting the feed back information about potato planter performances on field works and crop responses. The potato planter was demonstrated in the farmers’ fields at different locations of Paba, Rajshahi. The demonstration was conducted along with the farmer’s practice for comparing the total yield. Both whole tuber and cut piece seed used for demonstration the potato planter in the farmers fields. There were small yield difference between potato planter and conventional methods. Whole tuber seeds were better perform compare to cut piece seed. Potato yield in conventional manual planting method was slightly higher than potato planter. Potato cultivation was a labour and cost involvement activity. Major cost involvement activities were seed cost, fertilizer cost, harvesting cost. Labour involvement and all the operations total potato cultivation cost was Tk.2,03,775.0/ha

Conclusions

Based on the results and discussion following conclusions were made

Power tiller of 9 kW power can operate the planter maintaining the standard spacing and depth.
Potato planter perform satisfactory planting performance at the operating speed 2.4 -3.0 km/hr with seed size 35 mm. The highest uniformity 92% was found at the speed 2.4 km/hr with seed size 35 mm with whole tuber seed.
Potato planter requires only 4 man-days/ha compare to manual planting method 67 man days/ha. Potato planter save 94% labour requirement and 67% cost compare to manual traditional method.
Local manufacturers can fabricate the potato planter with locally available materials within short period of time.
Initial price of potato planter seems to be high, so subsidize rate can attract potato growers and accelerate the technology.

Farmers opinion

Potato planter can accelerate planting operation and cover many acreage within short period of time.
Labour shortage can be minimized with the potato planter
Potato yield is almost similar both potato planter and conventional method.
Potato planter to be improved again for cut piece seed planting more accurately.
Price is high, so subsidy on potato planter is needed for quick dissemination

Knowledge Management: Report/Proceedings