Experimental study on okra planter for sowing of soaked seed

Abstract

India is one of the leading Okra-producing countries producing 66.3% of the World’s okra. However, the traditional manual sowing methods result in low yield, poor quality, and high cost of cultivation. Therefore, an experimental study was designed to evaluate a tractor-operated Okra planter in the laboratory and field conditions for a locally available seed variety (Pusa A4). Laboratory experiments consisted of three independent variables; inclined plates (3 levels), inclination angles (3 levels), and speed of operations (4 levels). Dependent variables were seed spacing, a number of seeds/meter row length, and performance indices (multiple index, miss index, and quality of feed index). A 3×3×4 factorial design was applied to laboratory data analysis. The planter’s best parameter combination (plate, Inclination angle, and speed) was evaluated on actual field conditions at two different locations (X and Y). The field evaluation includes; plant-plant spacing, performance indices, planter field capacity, and fuel consumption. The planter was operated at 2.17, 2.25 km/h and plant-plant spacing was observed 15.98 cm, 17.11 cm, respectively, for locations X and Y. The observed plant spacing was close to desired spacing (15 cm). The field evaluation studies validated the results of laboratory experiments and desirable plant population were observed at both locations.