Performance Evaluation of a Single Seeder Machine for Sowing Different Varieties of Seed

Abstract

A manually operated push type seeder was tested in laboratory testing bed near the workshop of DFPM, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh. Seeds of different variety were sown by a single seeder changing its metering device. The seeder was calibrated in the lab to maintain the desired seed rate for maize, wheat, black gram and groundnut. In the laboratory test the effective field capacity, average distance of dropped seed and missing rate were found as 0.128 ha/hr, 22.5 cm, and 13.43%, for maize, 0.063 ha/hr, 28.5 cm, 19% for wheat, 0.053 ha/hr, 17 cm, 14.29% for black gram, 0.055 ha/hr, 17 cm and 17.86% for ground nut respectively. The field efficiency of the seeder was also quite satisfactory. Despite of comparatively high missing rate, the machine might be acceptable since it is easy to operate, simple in design and mechanism, light in weight, requires less labor and the most significant feature is using one seeder for different types of crop by adjusting the metering devices only. Modification of the seed metering devices could give better performance of the seeder.