Development of a seedling tray seeder for lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) production

Abstract

Conventional method of sowing lettuce is laborious and time consuming. Thus, this study was conducted to develop a seedling tray seeder for lettuce. Specifically, it aimed to design a seeder, fabricate the design, evaluate the field performance parameters, and analyze the cost of operation of using the machine. The machine was fabricated based on the design plan which was comprised of the dibbler unit, seed metering unit, soil covering unit, power transmission system, automation unit and frame assembly. Performance evaluation of the device was undertaken both in the laboratory and in the field. The cost of using the machine was analyzed considering the best operating parameters. Machine parameters such a vacuum pressure at 1.35-2.03 kPa, 2.04-2.70 kPa, and 2.71-3.39 kPa were evaluated to determine the optimum capacity and seeder efficiency. Results revealed the machine has a capacity of 26 trays per hour at 2.04-2.70 kPa vacuum pressure with a seeder efficiency of 93.75%. The overall cost of fabricating the device was Php83,476.00. The cost analysis revealed that the break-even point is at 7,547 trays per year and an income of Php119,059.00 per annum can be realized with a payback period at 0.7 years.