Evaluation of Inclined Plate Metering Mechanism for Direct Seeded Rice

Abstract

For broadcasting a higher seed rate (80-100 kg/ha) is required. Hence, there is need to reduce these huge amount of seed rate in direct seeding of rice. It is necessary for seeds to be placed at equal intervals within rows. So selection of metering mechanism is crucial for singulation of seeds and uniform distribution within the row to meet the requirements of timeliness of operation in farms. The inclined plate has provision for changing the plate rpm at the given forward speed. A test setup was design to mount the inclined metering plate and vary the plate rpm. In lab test the metering device is tested at all three inclination angle and rotor speed viz. 50°, 45°, 40° and 15, 23 and 28 rpm , respectively at the forward speed of 4.5 km/h. The variation in seed rate depends on inclination angle and rotor speed of seed plate. Average spacing obtained at plate inclination angle of 50°, 45° and 40° were (19.13, 14.13 and 8.86 cm), (20.13, 15.03 and 10.03 cm) and (19.23, 14.6 and 9.46 cm) respectively for an average spacing of 20 cm, 15 cm and 10 cm at different rotor speed and all three varieties. Metering device inclined at 45° gave the best seed spacing with all varieties of paddy seeds. Optimum seed rate of all three varieties of paddy was about 13.3 kg/ha at 45° inclination angle and lower rotor rpm. Multiple index 8.77% was highest at 40° inclination of metering plate with higher rotor speed at lab setup planter. The least multiple index 4.00 % was observed at 45° inclination and minimum rpm of seed plate. The general mean and standard error of quality of index was 86.33% and 0.86. Highest feed index 88.33% was obtained at plate inclination of 45° with all varieties of paddy seeds. Least seed damage of 0.19% was found at 45° of inclination angle for all three varieties of paddy. The selection of plate inclination of metering mechanism was purely based on average spacing, miss index multiple index, quality of feed index and seed damage. Metering mechanism at an inclination of 45° was recommended for sowing of all three varieties of paddy seeds.