Modification of an adapted maize jab planter

The metering device is a key segment of planters that legitimately influence crop improvement and yield dependent on the presentation of the specific design. Metering device B (Teflon) is intended to minimize seed damage during planting while improving metering efficiency and field capacity. An improved local jab planter for maize seeds which is adjusted for farmers developing under two hectares has been structured, built and tried. The major components of the planter are hopper, seed metering device, screen, inner housing, outer housing, spring and bushing tip. Field test was completed to decide the field productivity, field capacity, metering effectiveness and metering accuracy. Results showed that the planter has a metering efficiency of 92.6%, effective field capacity of 0.02 ha/h and field efficiency of 77%. The time required to plant 100 square meters of farmland was determined as 23 minutes and percentage seed damage was determined as 6.06%, 2.28% and 1.48% for metering devices A, B and C. This planter is efficient and can be embraced for maize planting by peasant farmers.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
DECLARATION    i
DEDICATION    ii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT    iii
ABSTRACT    iv
TABLE OF CONTENTS    v
LIST OF FIGURES    ix
LIST OF TABLES    x
CHAPTER ONE    1
1.0 INTRODUCTION    1
1.1 Statement of Problem    2
1.2 Justification    3
1.3 Objective of the Study    3
1.3.1 Specific Objectives    4
CHAPTER TWO    5
2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW    5
2.1 Physical and Mechanical Properties of Seeds    6
2.1.1 Size and Shape of Seed    6
2.1.2 Angle of Repose    7
2.1.3 Coefficient of Static Friction    8
2.2 Development and Evaluation of the Performance of Manually Operated Jab Planters    10
2.3 Design Consideration and Mode of Operation    12
2.3.1 Development and Performance of Seed Meters    12
2.4 Planters used for various crops    13
2.4.1 Techniques of Planting    16
CHAPTER THREE    18
3.0 MATERIALS AND METHODS    18
3.2 Instrumentation    19
3.2.1 Machines and tools used for the construction of the adapted maize planter    19
3.2.1.1 Lathe Machine    20
3.2.1.2 Drill Machine    20
3.2.1.3 Grinding Machine    20
3.2.1.4 Flat and Round File    21
3.2.1.5 Electric welding machine    21
3.2.1.6 Tape    22
3.2.1.7 Vernier Caliper    22
3.2.1.8 Centre punch    22
3.2.1.9 Hammer    22
3.2.1.10 Chisel    22
3.2.1.11 Vice bench    22
3.2.1.12 Hand grinder    23
3.2.1.13 Balance and Dry Oven    23
3.2.1.14 Graduated Cylinder    23
3.2.1.15 Digital Vernier Caliper    24
3.2.1.16 Instrument for Measuring Angle of Repose    24
3.3 Seeds used in the Study    24
3.4 Determination of the physiological properties of maize seed design of the locally adapted maize jab planter    25
3.4.1 Size    25
3.4.2 Shape    25
3.4.3 Bulk Density    26
3.4.4 Hundred Grain Weight    27
3.4.5 Angle of Repose    27
3.5 Design and Development of the Adapted Local Maize Jab Planter    27
3.5.1 Design Consideration of the Planter    27
3.5.2 Design of the Adapted Local Maize Jab Planter    28
3.5.3 Power developed by the operator of the adapted local jab planter    28
3.5.4 Design of the Seed Hopper of the Adapted Local Jab Planter    29
3.5.5 Design of the Seed Metering Unit    29
3.5.6 Design of the Bushing Tip    30
3.5.7 Determination of Planter Capacity    30
3.6 Description of the Various Components of the Planter    30
3.6.1 Hopper    30
3.6.2 Connector    31
3.6.3 Screen    31
3.6.7 Metering Device    31
3.6.8 Inner Housing    32
3.6.9 Spring Mechanism    32
3.6.10 Outer Housing    32
3.6.11 Transfer arm and Locks    32
3.6.12 Bushing Tip    33
3.7 To Evaluate the Performance of the Adapted Local Jab Maize Planter in the Laboratory as well as in the Field.    33
3.7.1 Laboratory test    34
3.7.1.1 Seeds of Maize    34
3.7.1.2 Calibration of the Adapted Jab Planter    34
3.7.1.3 Measurement of Seed Damage due to the Adapted Jab Planter    35
3.7.1.4 Field Test    35
3.7.1.5 Determination of Metering Efficiency    36
3.7.1.6 Determination of Metering Accuracy    37
3.8 Experimental Design    37
CHAPTER FOUR    38
4.0 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION    38
4.1 Physical Properties of Seed    38
4.1.1 Size and Shape    38
4.1.2 Test Weight    41
4.1.3 Angle of Repose    41
4.1.4 Bulk Density    41
4.1.5 Seed Germination Test    41
4.2 Calibration of the Adapted Local Jab Planter    42
4.2.1 Seed Rate of the Adapted Local Jab Planter    43
4.2.2 Seed Damage Test    44
4.3 Determination of Field Efficiency and Field Capacity of the Adapted Jab Planter    46
4.4 Determination of Metering Efficiency of the Adapted Jab Planter    47
CHAPTER FIVE    48
5.O CONCLUSION    48
5.1 RECOMMENDATION    48
REFERENCES    49