Effect of the Machine Parameters on Field Performance of Developed Potato Planter Cum Fertilizer Applicator

Abstract

The field experiment, conducted at the instructional farm of Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya Raipur in the year 2019-20, was laid
out in factorial randomized block design for potato planting by newly developed potato planter cum fertilizer applicator with various
machine parameters as 3 main plot (different speeds as V1 or 1.5 km/h, V2 or 2.0 km/h and V3 or 2.5 km/h) and 3 subplots (different drive
wheel diameter i.e., W1 or 38 cm, W2 or 42 cm, W3 or 52 cm) are made. Subplots also divided in 3 separate plots (Different shovel angle
as S1 or 45o, S2 or 90o and S3 or 120o) for each subplot. The effect of the combination of these independent parameters on dependent
parameters (single, double, multiple, missing and damage percentage) was observed in the developed potato planter’s performance. The
average germination percentage of potato seed was recorded as round (86.4%), oblong (81.6%) and long-oblong (79.6%) for unmetered
planted seeds. For the metered seeds, germination percentage was found as round (81.3%), oblong (79.4%) and (78.4%), respectively.
Maximum theoretical field capacity was found as 0.150 ha/h at the speed 2.5 km/h followed by 0.120 ha/h at the speed of 2.0 km/h and
0.090 ha/h at the speed of 1.5 km/h, respectively. Maximum effective field capacity was observed as 0.106 ± 0.005 ha/h at the speed 2.5
km/h followed by 0.089 ± 0.007 ha/h at the speed of 2.0 km/h and 0.065 ± 0.001 ha/h at the speed of 1.5 km/h, respectively. Maximum
average field efficiency was 74.193 % at the speed of 2.0 km/h followed by 72.069 % at speed of 1.5 km/h and 70.704% at speed of 2.5
km/h, respectively. The average draft recorded at the speed of 1.5 km/h, 2.0 km/h and 2.5 km/h were 68.41 ± 1.02 kgf, 70.93 ± 0.97 kgf
and 77.15 ± 0.65 kgf, respectively. The average power required for potato planter was recorded as 0.527 ± 0.140 hp