Effect of Seed Plate Angle, Cell Size, and Speed Ratio on the Performance of a Bullock-Drawn Millet Planter

Millets are typically sown by broadcasting and drilling methods by using traditional implements. This often results in non-uniform seed distribution, leading to irregular spacing and uneven number of plants. Additionally, line sowing, as compared with broadcasting, improves the efficiency of harvesting and threshing operations. In regions with small farm holdings, bullock drawn planter is a great alternative to take care of above-mentioned conditions. Thus, laboratory evaluation of bullock drawn planter was carried out using a stationary seed plate with agitator shaft as a metering mechanism. For millet seeds, a test rig was utilized to assess the effectiveness of seed metering in a laboratory condition at three distinct speed ratios (1.0, 1.5, and 2.0), cell sizes (3, 4, and 5 mm), and seed plate angle (0°, 15°, and 30°). The uniformity coefficient, multiple index, missing index, and quality of feed index were used as indicators to assess the planter's performance. At a speed ratio of 1.5, the uniformity coefficient was highest with a 5.0 mm cell size and a 0° seed plate angle. The missing index was higher at a seed plate angle of 30° and a cell size of 3.0 mm at a speed ratio of 2.0, whereas multiple index was higher at a 30° seed plate inclination angle and a 5 mm cell size at a speed ratio of 1.0. At a seed plate angle of 0° and a cell size of 5 mm, the highest quality feed index and seed rate were achieved, although the speed ratios were 1.5 and 1.0, respectively. Field evaluation of bullock-drawn millet planter, showed optimum speed ratio, cell size and seed plate angle of 1.5, 3 mm and 0°, respectively. It was found that the millet planter's effective field capacity and field efficiency were 0.24 ha h^-1 and 85.7%, respectively. The bullock-drawn planter's break-even point and operating cost were determined to be 40.56 hours annually and Rs. 694.00 per hour, respectively. The developed planter enhances efficiency by reducing manual labour and ensuring more precise seed placement.