Academic Research Journal of Agricultural Science and Research
 

Academic Research Journal of Agricultural Science and Research 

Vol. 5(7), pp. 529-538. November, 2017.

ISSN: 2360-7874 

 DOI: 10.14662/ARJASR2017.084

Full Length Research

Performance Evaluation of Walking Tractor Drawn Wheat Planter

Abiy Solomon¹*

¹Melkassa Agricultural Research Center, Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research, Awash Melkassa, P.O.BOX 436, Ethiopia. *Corresponding Author:  Email- Solomon.abiy@gmail.com

Accepted 19 October 2017

Wheat is one of the leading food crops in Ethiopia. The small power operated walking tractors are being used by farmers for various farm operations. The developed walking tractor drawn wheat planter was tested in the laboratory and field. The seed rate was calibrated and observed that 112 kg/ha with a 4.5 mm cups depth adjustment which is laying in the acceptable range of 100 to 125 kg/ha. There was no visible damage observed. The preliminary test conducted at speed of 1.4, 2 and 2.5 km/h speed shows good seed rate but 2.5 km/h speed gave better operation result than other operating speeds. 350 to 372 plants population per 1.2 m² area were observed during field germination count. The theoretical field capacity, effective field capacity and field efficiency of the machine were 0.30 ha/hr., 0.23 ha/hr. and 77.91 % respectively. The performance of walking tractor drawn six-row wheat drill was good for working in the well-prepared seedbed for sowing.

Keywords- Planter, Seed Rate, walking Tractor, Wheat

How to cite this article: Solomon A (2017). Performance Evaluation of Walking Tractor Drawn Wheat Planter. Ethiopia. Acad. Res. J. Agri. Sci. Res. Vol. 5(7), pp. 529-538

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