Development and evaluation of four-row seeder for vegetable crops in the temperate region of Jammu and Kashmir

The tri-axial dimensions (l, b, t) of Coriander (4.2–4.6 mm, 3.5–3.8 mm, 3.2–3.6 mm), Chilli (3.96–4.5 mm, 3.1–3.7mm, 0.57–0.64 mm) and Radish (3.33.6 mm, 2.33–2.76 mm, 1.4–2.1 mm) seeds along with sphericity and bulk density were used to select design values of individual components of the vegetable seeder. The seeder comprised of a hopper, metering discs, seed tube, handle, furrow opener and furrow closer. The capacity of the hopper was 0.03 m³ with four holes on the fixed disc and two holes on the rotating disc. The length of the handle was 1000 mm and 300 mm grip diameter with 9.5 kg weight of the seeder. The vegetable seeder was evaluated in terms of seed type (Coriander, Chilli, and Radish), lug shape (pointed and triangular), and handle inclination (40° and 45°). The responses were measured in terms of average seed spacing (mm), missing Index (%), multiple Index (%), quality of feed Index (%), and field efficiency (%). The optimization of the operating parameters through design expert revealed that average seed spacing of 4.72 mm, missing index of 14.91%, multiple index of 15.02%, quality of feed index of 70.02%, and field efficiency 78.77% occurred with triangular lugs at 45° handle inclination for Coriander. The operating cost was observed to be 83.7 rupees per hour. The break-even point occurred at 0.015 ha and the recovery of the invested money at 33.94 hours, respectively. The benefit-cost ratio of the vegetable seeder was 1.3:1. The seeder can be used for small areas and greenhouses.