Optimization Performance Evaluation of Developed Tractor Drawn Single Row Irish Potato Planter with Fertilizer Applicator under Different Tractor Speed and Moisture Content

Abstract

The developed tractor drawn single row Irish potato planter with fertilizer applicator was evaluated. The planter performance was tested in 18 plot with an area of 400 m² in each plots (40 m × 10 m for each plot) with specific soil properties. The performances of tractor drawn single row Irish potato planter with fertilizer applicator was tested in the laboratory and field at different tractor walking speed of 3 km/hr, 3.5 km/hr and 4 km/hr and three different moisture content of 13.41%, 14.27%, and 15.76%. At the tractor speed of 3 km/hr, 3.5 km/hr and 4 km/hr, when the moisture content was kept constant at 13.41%; the average depth of planting was uniform at 133.3 mm, the average intra row spacing of the planted potato seedling was 290.8 mm, 291.2 mm, 300.4 mm respectively, the average number of potato per drop of the planted potato seedling was 2, 1, 1 respectively, the average percentage of missing was 2.14%, 2.46%, 3.58% respectively, the average height of ridge was 286.3 mm, 285.7 mm, 278.9 mm respectively, the average depth of fertilizer dropping was uniform at 133.3 mm, the average fuel consumption was 9.8 l/ha, 10.3 l/ha and 10.7 l/ha respectively, the average field efficiency was 74.35%, 75.04% and 76.67%. At the moisture content of 13.41 %, 14.27%, and 15.76%, when the tractor speed was kept constant at 3.5 km/hr; the average depth of planting was 133.3 mm, 135.1 mm and 135.9 mm respectively, the average intra row spacing of the planted potato seedling was 291.2 mm, 291.4 mm and 291.8 mm respectively, the average number of potato per drop was uniform at 1, the average percentage of missing 2.46%, 2.97% and 3.35% respectively, the average height of ridge was 285.7 mm, 291.3 mm and 294.7 mm respectively, the average depth of fertilizer dropping was 133.3 mm, 135.1 mm and 135.9 mm respectively, the average fuel consumption was 10.3 l/ha, 11.2 l/ha and 11.98 l/ha respectively, the average field efficiency was 75.04%, 71.88% and 69.31% respectively.