Biometric properties of onion seedlings relevant to the development of onion seedling transplanter

A study was conducted to investigate biometric properties of seedlings of three common varieties of onion viz. Pusa Red, Set-126 and Pusa Ridhi (50, 60, 70 days old). The parameters determined were weight of seedling without and with de-topping, bulb diameter, stem diameter, height, moisture content, compressive strength and coefficient of static friction. The weight of seedlings without de-topping ranged from 0.53 to 3.05 g while with de-topping ranged from 0.47 to 1.68 g for all the three cultivars. The bulb and stem diameter for all varieties ranged from 3.13 to 5.76 g for bulb and 2.44 to 4.33 g for stem whereas height varied from 14.48 cm to 34.65 cm, among all Pusa red was taller than Set-126 and Pusa Ridhi. The moisture content at different age and for all cultivars ranged from 84.89 to 91.63 % (wb). The average coefficient of static friction for mild steel (MS), aluminum and galvanized iron (GI) varied from 0.63 to 0.79. The compressive strength of bulb and stem of seedlings were 9.76 to 19.54 N for bulb and 4.08 to 8.17 N for stem respectively for 50 to 70 days seedlings. This information was not available but is critical in designing and selection of different components of onion seedling transplanter

Biometric properties of onion seedlings relevant to the development of onion seedling transplanter

A study was conducted to investigate biometric properties of seedlings of three common varieties of onion viz. Pusa Red, Set-126 and Pusa Ridhi (50, 60, 70 days old). The parameters determined were weight of seedling without and with de-topping, bulb diameter, stem diameter, height, moisture content, compressive strength and coefficient of static friction. The weight of seedlings without de-topping ranged from 0.53 to 3.05 g while with de-topping ranged from 0.47 to 1.68 g for all the three cultivars. The bulb and stem diameter for all varieties ranged from 3.13 to 5.76 g for bulb and 2.44 to 4.33 g for stem whereas height varied from 14.48 cm to 34.65 cm, among all Pusa red was taller than Set-126 and Pusa Ridhi. The moisture content at different age and for all cultivars ranged from 84.89 to 91.63 % (wb). The average coefficient of static friction for mild steel (MS), aluminum and galvanized iron (GI) varied from 0.63 to 0.79. The compressive strength of bulb and stem of seedlings were 9.76 to 19.54 N for bulb and 4.08 to 8.17 N for stem respectively for 50 to 70 days seedlings. This information was not available but is critical in designing and selection of different components of onion seedling transplanter

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Not AvailableA six row semi-automatic plug metering type onion seedling transplanter was developed and evaluated for transplanting onion seedlings. The major components of transplanter consist of three-point hitch, plug metering system, funnel, press wheel and power transmission system. One person was required for feeding in each row. Performance evaluation of the transplanter was carried out for transplanting of 60 days old onion seedlings. Manual transplanting operation was also carried out to compare the performance and economics of mechanical transplanting with the developed machine. The field capacity and field efficiency of the developed six row semi-automatic onion seedling transplanter was 0.078 ha/h and 76.53%, respectively. The labour requirement in mechanical transplanting was 115 man-h/ha as compared to 400 man-h/ha in manual transplanting. No significant differences were observed in plant mortality with mechanically and manually transplanted seedlings. The estimated cost of the unit was Rs. 62,500 (US $1,000). The operational cost of mechanical transplanting, with plant geometry of 0.10 x 0.20 m, was Rs 8042 (US$135)/ha as compared to Rs 12,000 (US $200)/ha for manual transplanting.Not Availabl

Not Available

Not AvailableA six row semi-automatic plug metering type onion seedling transplanter was developed and evaluated for transplanting onion seedlings. The major components of transplanter consist of three-point hitch, plug metering system, funnel, press wheel and power transmission system. One person was required for feeding in each row. Performance evaluation of the transplanter was carried out for transplanting of 60 days old onion seedlings. Manual transplanting operation was also carried out to compare the performance and economics of mechanical transplanting with the developed machine. The field capacity and field efficiency of the developed six row semi-automatic onion seedling transplanter was 0.078 ha/h and 76.53%, respectively. The labour requirement in mechanical transplanting was 115 man-h/ha as compared to 400 man-h/ha in manual transplanting. No significant differences were observed in plant mortality with mechanically and manually transplanted seedlings. The estimated cost of the unit was Rs. 62,500 (US $1,000). The operational cost of mechanical transplanting, with plant geometry of 0.10 × 0.20 m, was Rs 8042 (US$135) /ha as compared to Rs 12,000 (US $200)/ha for manual transplanting.ICA

Not Available

Not AvailableA six row semi-automatic plug metering type onion seedling transplanter was developed and evaluated for transplanting onion seedlings. The major components of transplanter consist of three-point hitch, plug metering system, funnel, press wheel and power transmission system. One person was required for feeding in each row. Performance evaluation of the transplanter was carried out for transplanting of 60 days old onion seedlings. Manual transplanting operation was also carried out to compare the performance and economics of mechanical transplanting with the developed machine. The field capacity and field efficiency of the developed six row semi-automatic onion seedling transplanter was 0.078 ha/h and 76.53%, respectively. The labour requirement in mechanical transplanting was 115 man-h/ha as compared to 400 man-h/ha in manual transplanting. No significant differences were observed in plant mortality with mechanically and manually transplanted seedlings. The estimated cost of the unit was Rs. 62,500 (US $1,000). The operational cost of mechanical transplanting, with plant geometry of 0.10 × 0.20 m, was Rs 8042 (US$135) /ha as compared to Rs 12,000 (US $200)/ha for manual transplanting.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableMagnitude of dust concentration in breathing zone in manual harvesting, and threshing operation of wheat crop were measured. The dust levels were 11.89, 4.67 and 3.20 mg/m3 for in-halable, thoracic and respirable dusts respectively. Dust concentration was highest in breathing zone of the workers feeding the crop into thresher as compared to the workers engaged in harvesting with sickle, workers supplying crop to feeder and workers collecting threshed grains. The analysis of particle size distribution of dust indicated relatively low mass proportion of particles smaller than 2.5 μm and high percentage of particles over 7 μm diameters. Three types of dust filters, i.e. cloth, foam and non-woven fabric were selected and evaluated for filtration efficiency and pressure drop. An experimental setup was developed to measure filtration efficiency and pressure drop with varying filter area and dust concentration. The filtration efficiency of dust filters ranged from 50.76 to 59.71% (cloth), 89.19 to 92.78 % (foam) and 96.50 to 98.70 % (non-woven fabric) and pressure drop ranged from 5 to 17.83 (cloth), 23.83 to 38.50 (foam) and 14.17 to 27.67 (non-woven fabric) mm of H2O for three different filter areas and dust concentrations, respectively. The results of subjective evaluation of dust protectors with field workers showed that, non-woven fabric was most preferred because of higher filtration efficiency and lower pressure drop. It was concluded that, non-woven fabric based dust protector provides the highest dust protection with lowest breathing resistance.Not Availabl

Physical, Chemical, Thermal, and Mechanical Properties of Cotton Stalk: An Industrial Multi-purpose Cotton By-product

This study was conducted to investigate physical, chemical, thermal, and mechanical properties of cotton stalk. Cotton plant stem diameter, plant height, root spread, and plant weight were assessed and found to be significantly different for G. Arboreum and hybrid variety. The N, P, K, and S contents were 0.453, 0.227, 0.907, and 0.12% for stem; and 0.393, 0.183, 0.987, and 0.113% for root, respectively. Whereas Fe, Mn, Zn, and Cu concentrations were 205.41, 30.22, 30.64, and 20.23 ppm for stem; and 179.86, 19.00, 23.89, and 12.52 ppm, respectively, for root of cotton plant. The calorific value of cotton stem and root was 17.41 MJ.kg-1 and 17.37 MJ.kg-1, respectively. Thermal properties of cotton biomass indicated its suitability as fuel in biomass-based power plants, briquetting, and gasification. Maximum tensile strength of cotton stalk of diameters 8-14 mm ranged between 2.01-7.25 kN and 1.52-3.30 kN for stalk moisture content below and above 10% (d.b.), respectively. Maximum compressive strength of stalk diameters 8-14 mm ranged between 1.50-4.78 kN and 0.76-2.48 kN for moisture content below and above 10% (d.b.), respectively. Tensile and compressive strengths were significantly different at moisture content below and above 10 per cent. These results would help in exploring more industrial and domestic applications of cotton stalk