Design, Development and Evaluation of Lever type Maize Sheller

11-16An investigation was carried out to design, develop and evaluate the performance of manually operated Lever type Maize Sheller (LMS). It consisted of a handle, guiding rod, supporting rod, spring loaded ram, maize cob guiding cylinder, shelling blade, buffer, collection chamber, shutter and frame. Performance of developed LMS was statistically compared with Tubular Maize Sheller (TMS) in terms of throughput capacity, shelling capacity, shelling efficiency, unshelled seeds and damaged seeds percentage at different maize cob length. The overall throughput capacity and shelling capacity was found to be 44.63 kg cobs/h and 33.90 kg seeds/h with LMS which was almost 3 times more as compare to TMS. The overall shelling efficiency of 96.34% and 99.45% was observed with LMS and TMS respectively. The unshelled seeds of 3.66% with LMS and 0.55% with TMS were observed. The seed damage during operation with LMS was around 5%, while it was nil in case of TMS. The total savings on shelling hundred kg seeds with LMS was found as ₹ 202 and ₹ 424 on comparing with TMS and bare hand method of shelling respectively. The performance evaluation and economic analysis reveals that the adoption of developed Lever type Maize Sheller can be economical and technically feasible

Design Development and Evaluation of Lever type Maize Sheller

An investigation was carried out to design, develop and evaluate the performance of manually operated Lever type Maize Sheller (LMS). It consisted of a handle, guiding rod, supporting rod, spring loaded ram, cob guiding cylinder, shelling blade, buffer, collection chamber, shutter and frame. The performance of LMS was statistically compared with tubular maize sheller (TMS) in terms of throughput capacity, shelling capacity, shelling efficiency, unshelled seeds and damaged seeds. Statistical analysis showed that individual and interaction effect of length of cobs and type of shellers significantly affected the performance parameters at 1% level of significance. The throughput capacity and shelling capacity was found to be 45 kg cobs/h and 35 kg seeds/h whereas it was 68% and 67%, respectively more as compare to TMS. Moreover, shelling efficiency of LMS was found as 96.34% and it was 3.12% less than that of TMS. The unshelled seeds were 3.66% with LMS and 0.55% with TMS. The seed damage during operation with LMS was around 5%, while it was nil in case of TMS. The total savings on shelling hundred kg seeds was found as ₹428 with average hourly net profit of ₹ 150.22 and payback period of 10 hours

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Not AvailableAn optoelectric sensor based digital seedling counter was developed for measuringseedling spacing and for detecting the flow of seedlings through the seedling delivery tube. It was placed on the seedling delivery tube through which the seedlings were transferred to the ground from the metering mechanism. The performance of the developed sensor was evaluated both in the soil binas well as in actual field conditions. Seedling spacing was calculated with the signals obtained from optical sensor in data acquisition system (DAS) whereas seedling flow was counted by processed signals in microcontroller based digital seedling counter in soil bin conditions. The seedling spacing was calculated by measuring the output of the optical sensor over time and seedling flow was calculated writing a program in the circuit, to convert the optical sensor output to calculate number of seedling falls. Number of seedling falls was programmed to be calculated and digitally displayed on the tractor dashboard whereas seedling flow was seen in the display of oscilloscope by output signals i.e. voltage over time. The developed sensor could successfully sense the seedling fall through the delivery tube, counted it and displayed it digitally. It provided information to the operator regarding flow of plants in the tube. The seedling spacing obtained in the soil bin and field conditions varied from 0+1.5 cm and 0±3 cm, respectively for the entire range of speeds and seedlings selected. Number of seedlings counted manually and by sensor for both soil bin and field had 0% variation.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableAn investigation was carried out for identification of slot size on vertical plate type metering device and development of single row millet planter-cum-fertilizer drill for kodo (Paspalum scrobiculatum) and little millet (panicum sumatrense). Experiments were conducted in laboratory with three slot sizes and three forward speeds (1, 2 and 3 km/h) with kodo and little millets. Slot size of 3 x 3 mm was found to be suitable for kodo millet as it delivered optimum average seed spacing (ASS), seed rate (SR) and coefficient of uniformity (Uc) as 5.90 cm, 4.50 kg/ha and 0.90, respectively. For little millet also, 3 x 3 mm slot size on vertical rotor plate provided optimum ASS, SR and Uc as 5.70 cm, 2.24 kg/ha and 0.82, respectively. No seed damages were observed with any of the selected plates. Vertical plate with 10 × 10 mm slot size at 40% opening of shutter was found suitable for fertilizer metering for both crops. Based on the laboratory evaluation, a manually operated single row planter-cum-fertilizer drill was developed and evaluated under field conditions. The implement field capacity and field efficiency was found to be 0.048 ha/h and 69% for kodo and 0.05 ha/h and 68% for little millet, respectively. Seed saving with developed planter-cum-fertilizer drill as compared to traditional method of line sowing and broadcasting was found to be 76% and 90%, respectively for kodo; for little millet, it was 83% and 93% respectively. The cost of operation was found to be ` 750/ha for kodo and ` 662/ha for little millets. Yield obtained with developed planter-cumfertilizer drill were 1870 kg/ha and 1560 kg/ha which was to 139% and 51% more when compared with broadcasted kodo and little millet respectively.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableAn experiment was conducted to assess the influence of fertilizers application on nutrients’ availability in soil, uptake pattern, and growth and yield of bt cotton under rainfed condition in kharif season of 2011-2012. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with ten treatments (T1 to T10) and replicated thrice. Data on available nutrients N, P, K, S, Zn, B, and Mg in soil, uptake pattern of N-P-K and growth parameters were collected. The application of fertilizers significantly influenced the soil nutrients availability, uptake pattern and growth parameters as well as seed cotton yield. Available nutrients N, P, K, S, Zn, B, Mg in soil, Uptake pattern of NPK and biometric observations and yield of cotton were highest with nutrient combination of T10 (Recommended dose for Bt cotton.(125:62.5:62.5)+S), except available P in T5 (N+P+K), Mg, T2 (RDF P + Potassium)and Zn T9 (Recommended dose of nitrogen + phosphorus + potassium + sulphur + magnesium + zinc +boron (spray)). Therefore, T10 followed by T9 was found to be preventive for cotton reddening. Treatment T10 produced highest seed cotton yield (19.22 q ha-1) followed by T9 (19.04 q ha-1). Therefore, consiNot Availabl

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Not AvailableA low cost manually operated portrays type nursery seeder for sowing of vegetable seeds was developed and evaluated for its performance. It consisted of set of plates such as base plate, media firming-cum-watering plate, hole forming plate and set of seeding plates. The set-up is developed for sowing of 104 cells portrays (13 x 8 rectangular arrays). Experiment was conducted to identify the orifice size and plate thickness for sowing of vegetable seeds of chilli, brinjal and tomato in portrays. Performance parameters such as percent single, percent multiple, percent miss, singulation efficiency, seeding efficiency and seed utilization efficiency for 2 mm thick and 3.5 mm orifice diameter plate (CP4) for chilli was found to be 65.28, 29.38, 5.34, 69.10, 91.02 and 76.51%, respectively. Similarly, for 2 mm thick and 2.9 mm orifice diameter plate (BP4) for brinjal was found to be 78.21, 16.35, 5.45, 82.76, 90.91 and 85.61%, respectively. Moreover, for 2 mm thick and 3.5 mm orifice diameter plate (TP2) for chili was found to be 74.23, 21.35, 4.42, 77.76, 91.90 and 81.85%, respectively. Hence CP4, BP4 and TP2 were used for further evaluation of the setup. Total time saving with developed setup over traditional method was found to be 68% for all selected seeds. Cost of operation and labour saving was found in the range of 67-68% when compared with manual seeding by traditional method. Cost of the developed manually operated portray type nursery seeder is about Rs. 2000/- and weight is 15 kg.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableAn experiment was conducted to assess the influence of fertilizers application on nutrients’ availability in soil, uptake pattern, and growth and yield of bt cotton under rainfed condition in kharifseason of 2011-2012. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with ten treatments (T1to T10) and replicated thrice. Data on available nutrients N, P, K, S, Zn, B, and Mg in soil, uptake pattern of N-P-K and growth parameters were collected. The application of fertilizers significantly influenced the soil nutrients availability, uptake pattern and growth parameters as well as seed cotton yield. Available nutrients N, P, K, S, Zn, B, Mg in soil, Uptake pattern of NPK and biometric observations and yield of cotton were highest with nutrient combination of T10 (Recommended dose for Bt cotton.(125:62.5:62.5)+S), except available P in T5(N+P+K), Mg, T2(RDF P + Potassium)and Zn T9(Recommended dose of nitrogen + phosphorus + potassium + sulphur + magnesium + zinc +boron (spray)). Therefore, T10 followed by T9was found to be preventive for cotton reddening. Treatment T10produced highest seed cotton yield (19.22 q ha-1) followed by T9 (19.04 q ha-1). Therefore, consideringplant pigments yield, T10can be recommended for growing of Bt cotton under rainfed condition (13) Influence of fertilizers' application on available nutrients in soil, uptake pattern, growth and yield of BT cotton under Rainfed condition | Request PDF. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/324517089_Influence_of_fertilizers'_application_on_available_nutrients_in_soil_uptake_pattern_growth_and_yield_of_BT_cotton_under_Rainfed_condition [accessed Nov 05 2018].Not Availabl

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Not AvailableA low cost manually operated two row vegetable transplanter was developed for transplantingof plug type vegetable seedlings on ridges and mulch beds. It consisted of frame, seedling tray holder,hand lever, frame support rod, jaw assembly, seedling feeding pipe, handle, gauge wire, marker holderand marker. The developed transplanter was evaluated for inter and intra-row spacings of 45×45 cm and60×60 cm. Manual transplanting on ridges (MTR) and on plastic mulch beds (MTP) were compared withmanually operated transplanter on ridges (MOTR) and on plastic mulch beds (MOTP). The transplantingrate of vegetable seedlings using single labour was found to be 8, 5, 23 and 17 seedlings min-1 for MTR,MTP, MOTR and MOTP, respectively. Forward speed ranged from 0.15 to 0.41 km/h for entire range ofspacing and type of transplanting selected. Similarly, field efficiency was found to be 30 and 41% (MTR),21 and 28% (MTP), 45 and 60% (MOTR), 33 and 44% (MOTP) for spacing of 45×45 and 60×60 cm,respectively. Similarly, cost of operation (Rs/ha) was found to be 2571 and 1416; 3770 and 2121; 884 and497 and 1200 and 675 Rs/ha, respectively. Difference in heart rate, cardiac cost and maximum oxygenconsumption rate was worked out to be 33 beats/min, 203703/ha (20.37 beats/m2) and 2.9109 l/min.Moreover rest pause during the operation was worked out to be 4.5 minute. The time saving over manualtransplanting is 34% and 32% in MOTR and MOTP, respectively.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableEngineering properties play important role while designing of metering devices of the planter/seed drills. Present investigation was conducted to study the change in engineering properties of paddy (Kranti (PV1) and Pusa1121 (PV2)) and wheat (HI1544 (WV1) and Lokwan (WV2)) seeds due to soaking in water for predetermined duration. Geometric mean diameter of PV1, PV2, WV1 and WV2 was ranged between 3.89 and 4.07 mm, 3.87–4.14 mm, 4.03–4.59 mm and 4.18–4.61 mm, correspondingly due to soaking. Sphericity with aspect ratio of PV1, PV2, WV1 and WV2 seeds were varied as 48.43–49.56 with 0.41–0.42, 32.03–32.07 with 0.2, 60.68–64.12 with 0.51–0.58 and 57.29–60.67 with 0.46–0.52, respectively. Thousand seed weight of PV1, PV2, WV1 and WV2 was increased from 27.80 to 34.88 g, 28.64–35.91 g, 45.68–67.6 g and 48.21–71.13 g, respectively. Bulk and true densities of PV1 and PV2 were increased from 626.49 to 661.98 kg/m3 and 1150.83–1322.45 kg/m3 and 1376.76–1412.58 kg/m3 and 540.35–562.15 kg/m3, respectively, for dry to 2 days soaked seeds. Bulk and true densities were 833.06–676.91 kg/m3 for WV1 while 816.18–669.85 kg/m3 and 1388.09–1258.84 kg/m3 and 1647.7–1485.62 kg/m3 for WV2. Porosity of PV1, PV2, WV1 and WV2 was varied from 45.48–49.87%, 60.61–60.17%, 39.91–48.02% and 50.44–56.55%. Angle of repose of PV1, PV2, WV1 and WV2 was ranged as 30.33–38.13o, 27.78–34.15o, 29.22–37.97o, respectively. On wooden platform, static coefficient of external friction was varied as 0.56–0.62, 0.45–0.53, 0.38–0.65 and 0.41–0.69 for PV1, PV2, WV1 and WV2 seeds, while on mild steel corresponding values of coefficient were 0.37–0.56, 0.40–0.51,0.33–0.68 and 0.37–0.75. Coefficient on plastic platform was varied as 0.34–0.41, 0.36–0.41, 0.34–0.67 and 0.29–0.63 for PV1, PV2, WV1 and WV2 in same order.Terminal velocity values for PV1, PV2, WV1 and WV2 were ranged between 6.5 and 8 m/s, 6.2–7.6 m/s, 7.4–9.10 m/s and 7.5–10.1 m/s, respectively. Statistical models with ANOVA and multiple pair wise comparison also determined change of the seeds behaviour for soaking conditions.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableThe application of pesticides is one of the important aspects of a crop production system. The development of a single spraying system for all types of pesticide application is a solution for a cost-effective and efficient crop production system. Standardizing the droplet sizes at different operating pressure of hollow cone nozzle will be a solution for controlling the weeds as well as the other pests. A small tractor-operated hollow cone-based boom sprayer was developed to overcome said problems. The developed sprayer can be mounted on three-point linkage and can be operated by tractor PTO. The developed system was evaluated for 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3 MPa of operating pressure through water-sensitive papers and ImageJ software. Under this pressure, the selected hollow cone nozzle produced medium to coarser droplet size. The highest VMD of 346.4 μm was obtained under operating pressure of 0.1 MPa and the least VMD of 277.1 μm was obtained under operating pressure of 0.3 MPa. The increase in operating pressure causes a reduction in droplet size. However, the relative span (RS) was increasing with a decrease in operating pressure. It was 0.72 at an operating pressure of 0.3 MPa and increased to 1.27 at an operating pressure of 0.1 MPa. The highest weed control efficiency (WCE) of 88.1% was obtained under 0.1 MPa of operating pressure. However, the operating pressure does not had significant effect on WCE.Not Availabl