UNIVERSITI PUTRA MALAYSIA

MODIFICATION, PERFORMANCE AND ADAPTATION OF MANUALLY OPERATED TRANSPLANTING AND SEEDING

MACHINES FOR LOWLAND PADDY

MD. SYEDUL ISLAM

FK 1998 12

MODIFICATION, PERFORMANCE AND ADAPTATION OF MANUALLY OPERATED TRANSPLANTING AND SEEDING MACHINES FOR

LOWLAND PADDY

By

MD. SYEDUL ISLAM

Dissertation Submitted in Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Faculty of Engineering

Universiti Putra Malaysia

September 1998

This thesis is dedicated to my "BORO MA" , a childless mother, without whose sacrifice, the author could be a fruitless flower.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Praises to almighty Allah , the cherisher and sustainer of the world, whose

blessings have enabled the author to complete this project.

The author expresses his s incere appreciation to Assoc. Prof. Ir. Dr Desa

Ahmad, the chairman of the supervisory committee for his active guidance, valuable

advice and generous help during the research work and preparation of this

dissertation. Gratitudes are due to Dr Mohd Amin Mohd Soom and Dr Mohamed Bin

Daud, the members of the supervisory committee for thei r fruitful suggestions and

effective corrections in order to i mprove the quality of the manuscript. A very special

gratitude and thanks are due to Dr Mohammad Abdul Baqui , Head, Farm Machinery

and Postharvest Technology Division , Bangladesh Rice Research Institute to render

valuable suggestions and active guidance as a local supervisor during the field work

in Bangladesh.

A cordial appreciation is due to John Kilgour, Senior Lecturer, Cranfield

University, U. K. for his valuable advice regarding the instrumentation system of the

experiment. A very special thank is extended to Dr T Mizuochi , a J ICA expert, who

had keen interest on the seedling raising experiment in the green house and some

aspects of the design work. even being a man from a non-engineering background.

The author is indebted to Bangladesh Rice Research Institute for approving a

full-time deputation and for providing the support for field work in Bangladesh.

Thanks are due to Mr. Amir Hussain and his team for helping the author in the

fabrication of the machine prototypes. A special appreciation is due to Md.

i i i

Sohorawardi , who worked hard with the author during the field work. The author is

also thankful to some of the fellow colleagues including Md. Taufiqul Islam, Md.

Muzammil Haq , Md. Maqsudur Rahman, Muhammad Nasim, S. M. Rezaul Karim ,

Khandaker Aminul Kabir, Dr D. N. R. Paul , Dr. J. K. Biswas, Md. Enamul Haque, Dr.

Jahan U llah Choudhury, Dr. B. A. A. Mustafi , Md Abul Quasem, Md. Abdullah and

Golam Rabbani for their help in different stages of the experiment.

The author gratefully acknowledges the Malaysian Government for the

financial support under a programme named (MTCP) for the study. Thanks are also

extended to some of the UPM students and fellows viz Dr Md. Abu Saleque, A. H. M.

Razzaque, Dr. Anisur Rahman, Md. Abul Hossain Molla, and others for providing the

author with moral encouragement and homely atmosphere. Special thanks are due to

all the staff of the engineering faculty of UPM for their help in one way or other.

Last but not least, the author is extremely grateful to his parents; wife -

Shahina I slam; daughter - Farah Naz Khan (Lora) and son - Khan Sa bah Saidi

(Simon) for their patience and sacrifice without which this project could never have

been completed.

iv

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . i i i

LIST OF TABLES .............................. ............. ........................ ............ ........... x

LIST OF FIGURES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xiv

LIST OF PLATES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xvii

LIST OF SYMBOLS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xviii

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xx

ABSTRACT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xxi

ABSTRAK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xxiv

CHAPTER

I I

INTRODUCTION 1

Transplanting of Paddy ........... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Direct Seeding of Paddy .... .............. . . ....... . ......................... . . . ...... . 5

Statement of the Problem ... .. . . ................. . . ......... . ............... .......... 6

Objectives of the Study ... ................... .. . ......................... . .... ........ . 7

LITERATURE REVIEW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Manually Operated Transplanters ...... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Japanese Design ............................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Chinese Design ....... ................ ..... ....... ............... ........... ...... 1 0

Coimbatore Design ....... ............... . ..... ............................ . . . . . 1 1

N.I.A.E. Design ... ...... . ....... ............................... .. .................. 1 1

Annapuma 77 . .......... ................ ... .......... ........... ........... .. . ... .. 1 1

Philippine Rice Transplanter ...... .......... ............ . .................. 1 2

Animal Drawn Transplanters ........... ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Power Transplanters . . ........... ........ ... ... ........................ . ................ 1 3

Japanese Design ...... . ................. .. ..... .... .......... . .......... ........ 1 3

Chinese Self-propelled Comb-Type DeSign ... ........ .. . ......... 14

Korean Design ....... . ....................................... ...................... 1 4

Chinese Rice Transplanter i n Thailand ......................... ...... 1 5

Studies i n Pakistan . . ....... .................. ............... . . .......... . . ..... . 1 5

Design and Development i n Other Countries 1 6

v

III

Tractor Mounted Transplanters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 6

Transplanter Design for Soil Bearing Seedlings ............ ........ . . . . . . 1 8

Test of Transplanters ........ ........ . .. . . . . . . ..... ... . ...................... ........ . . .. 1 9

Testing and Development of Transplanters in Japan ......... 1 9

IRRI Studies ...... ......... . . . . .... . . ......... . . . . .. . . . . ..................... . . . . ... 20

Self-propelled Transplanter Test in I ndia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1

Kinematic Analysis of Planting Mechanism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1

Quality of Seedling Mat .. . .... ........ . . . . . . ........ .... ...... ............ . ............ 22

Tilth Characteristics of Puddled Field .... ........... ... . . . . . .. . ..... . . . .. ... .... 22

Direct Seeding of Paddy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .... . . . . . . . 24

Determinants of Crop Establishment Methods . ...... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Transplanting Vs Wet Seeding Model . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Factors Influencing the Performance of Seeding Equipment ...... 27

Seed-Related Factors .. . . . ............ ................ . . . ... .. . ..... ... .. ...... 28

Soil-Related Factors . . . . . . . ............. . . . . . .. .......... . . . . . . .. .... . . . ... ..... 29

Mechanical Factors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .... . . .. ... . . . . .... . . .. .. . . 35

Considerations in Designing a Seed Dri l l .. .. . .............. . . .. . . . ... . .. .. . . . 36

Design of Seed Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........ . . . .. .... ..... ..... .... ............ . . . . .... 37

Physical Characteristics of Seed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........ . . . . .... . .. ..... 37

Seed Metering Device . . ...... . ... . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

Design Consideration for a Metering Device . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

Flow of Seed or Grain Through an Orifice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

Design of Drum Type Seeder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .... ..... . . . . .... 42

MATERIALS AND M ETHODS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

I RRI TR4 Transplanter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

BRRI Modified Transplanter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

Modifications of Transplanter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... . . ....... ..... 46

Picker Assembly . . . . . . . . . .. . .... .......... . . ... . ....... ........... .. . . .... ... .. .. 46

Seedl ing Picker Finger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . 50

IRRI TR4 Transplanter Skid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50

BRRI Modified Transplanter Skid . . . ... ...... . . .. . . . . . . ... .. . . . . . . .. . .... 53

Shearing Strength Measuring Instrument for Seedling Mat . . . . . . . . . 53

The Spring Balance ... . . ..... . . . . . . . . ... . . . .......... . ...... . .... . ...... . . . . . . . . 57

The Spring balance Holder . . . .. . . . . .... . . ........ . ...... . .... . . ..... . .. . ... 57

The Picker Fingers . .............. . ... . . ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57

The Picker Holder Assembly ...... . ..... . .. . . . .... . ....... . .. . .... . . . . . .. . . 57

Calibration of Shearing Strength Measuring Instrument . . . . . . 58

vi

Design of Shearing Strength Measuring Rig for Seedling Mat .... 58

The Main Frame ...... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59

The Picker Guider ......... . ... .. . . .. . . ............ . . . . . .. . . ... . ................. 60

The Guider Fixing Bar . . .. . . . . . .. .. . .. .. .... ........ . ........ .. .. . . . ........ .. . 60

The Seedling Mat Holder .... . . . . ...... . . ....... . . . . . . . . . ................... . 60

The Brackets . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61

The Base Frame . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61

IRRI Designed Drum Seeder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . 61

Modification of Drum Seeder ......... ..... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62

Drum Seeder Tray Housing .............. . . ...... ....... ... .. .... . . . . . . . . . . 62

Drum Seeder Tray . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62

Drum Seeder Metering Device . . . . .. . . .... ...... ..... . . .. ................ 63

BRRI Modified Drum Seeder .. . . . .. . .... . .. ....... ..... . . . . ............. .. . . . .. . . . . . 63

Hardness Measurement of Puddled Field . .. . ........... .. . . ................. 63

Experiment I ........................... . . ......................... . ........................ ... 73

A: Field Test of Transplanters . . .................. . .. ......... . ...... . .. .......... 73

Design of Experiment .. . . . . ... ............. . . . . ........... . .... ... ...... ...... 73

Experimental Procedure . . . . . .... .. . ..... ....... . . . . .. . . . .... .. . .... . . . . . .. . . 74

Seedling Raising in Modified Dapog Bed . ...... ....... .. . . . ... ..... 75

Land Preparation .. . .. . .. . . . . .. . ..... .. . . .. ....... . . . . . .. . ....... . ..... . . . . .. . . .. . 75

Fertilizer Application 77

Water Management . . .. . . . . . . . . ............... . .. ....... . . . . . . ....... . ......... . 78

Weed Control .................. ......... .. . .. .. ... ... .. . . ...... .. . . . .. . ... ......... 78

Insecticide Application ............... . . . . . ........ . . ......... . .. . . . . . ........ .. 78

Parameters Measured . .. . . . .. ............ . . . . . ...... . . . .. ........ . . .. . . . . . . . . 78

Yield Parameters . . ...................... ..... . ... ..... . . . . . ...... .... .... . . . .. . . . 83

B: Determination of Mat and Seedling Parameters for Better Transplanter Performances . . ........ . . . ............ .. ..... .... . . . .... . ........ . 85

Experimental Procedure ..... ...... .. . . . . ........ . . . ..... ... ... . . ............. 85

Effect of Moisture Content on Seedling Mat . . . .. . ........ . .... . . . . 86

Factor 1 : Soil Composition of Seedling Mat . . . . .. .. ........ .... . . . 86

Factor 2: Moisture Content of Seedling Mat While Breaking 87

Factor 3: Seedling Age .. . ....... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87

Design of Experiment . .. ...... . . . . . . . . . . . . ..... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87

Design of Seedling Tray ....... . .. . .... ......... .. .......... . . .... .... ........ 88

Soil Preparation ..... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. ....... .. . . ..... .. . . .. ......... . ..... ..... 88

Packing soil M ixture i n Tray . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . 92

Testing seed Viabil ity . . . . . . . ... . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . .. . . . 92

Seed soaking and incubating 93

vii

IV

V

Sowing Seeds in Tray .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93

Nursing Seedling Tray . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93

Mat conditioning for Moisture Content .......... . . . . . . . . . ............. 94

Cutting Seedling Mat in Rig . . . . . ........... .. .. . . . . ........................ 94

Parameters Measured .. . . . .. . . . . ......... . . . . ...................... . . . . ... . . . 99

Experiment II . . .................. .......... . . . ................ ......................... . . . . . . 1 02

Field Test of BRRI Drum Seeder .. . .................. ............................ 1 02

Design of Experiment . . . . . . . . . . ............ . . . . . . . ........... . ........ . . ..... 1 02

Experimental Procedure ... . . .. . . . ............ . . .. . . ................... . . . ... 1 03

Parameters Measured ...... ... . . . . . . . ......... . . . . . . .. . ................. . . .. . 1 04

RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 05

Experiment I ..................... ... . . . . . . . . . ..................................... ........... 1 05

A: Test of Transplanters ... . ............................................. . ............ . 1 05

Field Performance of Transplanters ... . ............................... 1 05

Mechanical Performance of Transplanters ......... . . . ............. 1 1 5

The Skid .................... . . ... . . ................................. . . . . ...... 1 1 5

Dragging Force ..................... . . . ... ............. . . ... . ............. 1 1 5

The Seedling Picker ... ............... . . . . . ............ ........... . . . . . . 1 1 6

Field Condition .................................. . ............ ............. 1 1 6

Economic Performance of Different Transplanting Methods 1 20

Cost of Seedling Production .. ............... . ............ . .... . . . . 1 20

Cost of Transplanter Operation .. . . ................. ............. 1 22

Partial Budget Analysis ......... ......... .. . . .................. 1 22

Break-even Analysis ............ ................................ 1 28

B: Determination of Mat and Seedling Parameters for Better Transplanter Performances ......... . ........... . . ............. . . ............. . 1 31

Effect of Moisture on Seedling Mat ... ..... . . . . . ........ . . . . . . . . ........ 1 31

Effect of Seedling Age on Seedling Mat ........ . . . .................. 1 40

Effect of Soil Composition on Seedling Mat Parameters . . . . 1 41

Experiment I I ........ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..... ... . . ... . . . . . ... . ..... . . . . ............ . . . .... ....... 1 49

Field Test of Drum Seeder . ........... . .. . . . ........ . . . .......... . . . . . . ... ...... .. . . . 1 49

Field Performance of Drum Seeder . . ... . .. . . . ........... .............. 1 49

Mechanical Performance of Drum Seeder ......................... 1 54

Cost of Seeding by Different Methods .. . . .......... ........... . . . . .. . 1 56

CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 58

Conclusions ........................ ......... ................................................. 1 58

Recommendations .................................. . ....................... .... . . .. . . . .. . 1 60

Future Work .............. ................ . . . .............................................. . . . 1 6 1

viii

REFERENCES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

APPENDICES

A

B

C

o E

F

G

VITA

Basic Assumptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Labour Requirement for Seedling production . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Cost Calculation for Seedling Raising and Transplanter Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Cost Calculation for Seeding and Weeding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Cost Calculation for Partial Budget Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Tables of Break-even Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Analysis of Variance Tables for Seedling and Mat Parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

ix

1 63

1 68

1 69

1 73

1 77

1 90

1 94

201

208

21 2

LIST OF TABLES

Table

1 Specifications of I RRI Designed Transplanter

2 Specifications of BRRI Modified Transplanter

3 Specifications of IRRI Designed Drum Type Paddy Seeder

4 Specifications of BRRI Modified Drum Type Paddy Seeder

5 Treatment Combinations of Soil Composition and Moisture Content of Seedling Mat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

6 Treatment Combinations of Soil Composition and Seedling Age

7

8

9

1 0

1 1

Physical Properties of Different Ingredients for Raising Seedling in Trays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Meteorological Data During Seedling Quality Experiment . . . . . . . . . .

Meteorological Data During Transplanter Test Experiment . . . . . . . .

Field Performances of Different Transplanting Methods . . . . . . . . . . . .

Working Accuracy Parameters of Different Transplanting Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1 2 Crop-Cut Data of The Fields of Different Transplanting Methods

1 3

1 4

1 5

1 6

Comparative Cost of Seedling Production and Transplanting Different Methods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Partial Budget Analysis Between Machine Transplanting with Wooden Frame Nursery Seedling and Hand Transplanting With Wet Bed Nursery Seedling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Partial Budget Analysis Between Machine Transplanting with Bamboo Frame Nursery Seedling and Hand Transplanting with Wet Bed Nursery Seedling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . .

Partial Budget Analysis Between Machine Transplanting with Plastic Frame Nursery Seedling and Hand Transplanting with Wet Bed Nursery Seedling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

x

Page

48

48

65

65

89

90

92

96

97

1 07

1 1 1

1 1 4

1 21

1 23

1 24

1 25

1 7

1 8

1 9

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

Partial Budget Analysis Between Machine Transplanting with Nylon Rope Nursery Seedling and Hand Transplanting with Wet Bed Nursery Seedling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Partial Budget Analysis Between Machine Transplanting with Plastic Tray Nursery Seedling and Hand Transplanting with Wet Bed Nursery Seedling . ... . . . . ... . . . . ....... .. . . . . .. . ... . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . .

Rupture Strength of Seedling Mat (N/Cm2) at Different Levels of Moisture Content . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Soil Bearing Index of Seedling Block at Different Levels of Mat Moisture Content . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Uniformity Index of Seedling Block at Different Levels of Mat Moisture Content . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Number of Seedling per Block After being Cut from the Mat at Different Levels of Moisture Content . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Rupture Strength of Seedling Mat (N/Cm2) at Different Levels of Seedling Age . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Soil Bearing Index of Seedling Block at Different Levels of Seedling Age . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Uniformity Index of Seedling Block at Different Levels of Seedling Age . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Number of Seedling per Block after being Cut from the Mat at Different Levels of Seedling Age . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Seedling Characteristics at Different Ages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Field Performance of Drum Seeder Compared to Hand Broadcasting Method . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Agronomic Characteristics of Crop, 1 8 Days after Seeding by Different Methods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

30 Yield Parameters in the Fields for Different Seeding Methods

31

32

Partial Budget Analysis Between Drum Seeder Seeding and Hand Broadcasting Method for Lowland Rice Cultivation

Assumptions for the Use of BRRI Modified Transplanter

33 Labour Requirement for Seedling Production in Wet Bed Nursery and Hand Transplanting One Hectare of Land

xi

126

127

1 34

1 35

1 36

1 37

1 42

1 43

1 44

1 45

1 46

1 51

1 52

1 53

1 57

1 72

1 74

34

35

36

37

38

39

40

41 '

42

43

44

45

46

47

Labour Requirement for Seedling Production in Wooden Frame Nursery and Transplanting by BRRI Transplanter in One Hectare of Land .... . . . ...... . ..... .. . . . . . . .... . .. . . . .............. . .. . . . . ..... . . .... . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .

Labour Requirement for Seedling Production in Bamboo Frame Nursery and Transplanting by BRRI Transplanter in One Hectare of Land . . ...... . . . . ........... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........ .... . . . . . ........ . . . .. . .. .. . . . . . . .. .. . . .

Labour Requirement for Seedling Production in Plastic Frame Nursery and Transplanting by BRRI Transplanter in One Hectare of Land . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Labour Requirement for Seedling Production in Plastic Tray Nursery and Transplanting by BRRI Transplanter in One Hectare of Land ..... . . . . . . ... . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. .. ........ . . .... . . . . . . ..... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . .... . . . . . .

Labour Requirement for Seedling Production in Nylon Rope Nursery and Transplanting by BRRI Transplanter in One Hectare of Land . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Cost of Seedling Production in Wooden Frame Nursery and Transplanting One Hectare of Land by BRRI Transplanter . . . . . . . .

Cost of Seedling Production i n Bamboo Frame Nursery and Transplanting One Hectare of Land by BRRI Transplanter . . . . . . . .

Cost of Seedling Production i n Plastic Frame Nursery and Transplanting One Hectare of Land by BRRI Transplanter . . . . . . . .

Cost of Seedling Production i n Plastic Tray Nursery and Transplanting One Hectare of Land by BRRI Transplanter . . . . . . . .

Cost of Seedling Production i n Nylon Rope Nursery and Transplanting One Hectare of Land by BRRI Transplanter . . . . . . . .

Cost of Seedling Production in Wet Bed Nursery and Hand Transplanting One Hectare of Land . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Transplanting Cost by BRRI Modified Transplanter with Wooden Frame Nursery Seedling Compared to Hand Transplanting with Wet Bed Seedling . .... . . ... ... . . ....... . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...... . . . . . . ....... . .. . . . .. . . . .. . . . . .

Transplanting Cost by BRRI Modified Transplanter with Bamboo Frame Nursery Seedling Compared to Hand Transplanting with Wet Bed Seedling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Transplanting Cost by BRRI Modified Transplanter with Plastic Frame Nursery Seedling Compared to Hand Transplanting with Wet Bed Seedling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

xii

1 74

1 75

1 75

1 76

1 76

1 87

1 87

1 88

1 88

1 89

1 89

202

203

204

48

49

50

51

52

53

Transplanting Cost by BRRI Modified Transplanter with Plastic Tray Nursery Seedling Compared to Hand Transplanting with Wet Bed Seedling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Transplanting Cost by BRRI Modified Transplanter with Nylon Rope Nursery Seedling Compared to Hand Transplanting with Wet Bed Seedling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Cost Comparison of Seeding and Weeding Between Machine and Hand System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Analysis of Variance for Rupture Strength (N/Cm2) of Seedling Mat Different Levels of Moisture Content . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Analysis of Variance for Soil Bearing Index of Seedling Block at Different Levels of Mat Moisture Content . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Analysis of Variance for Uniformity Index of Seedling Block at Different Levels of Mat Moisture Content . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

54 Analysis of Variance for Number of Seedling per Block after being Cut from the Mat at Different Levels of Moisture Content

55

56

57

58

Analysis of Variance for Rupture Strength (N/Cm2) of Seedling Mat at Different Levels of Seedling Age . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Analysis of Variance for Soil Bearing I ndex of Seedling Block at Different Levels of Seedling Age . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Analysis of Variance for Uniformity Index of Seedling Block at Different Levels of Seedling Age . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Analysis of Variance for Number of Seedling per Block after being Cut from the Mat at Different Levels of Seedling Age . . . . . .

xiii

205

206

207

209

209

209

21 0

21 0

21 0

21 1

21 1

Figure

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

1 0

1 1

1 2

1 3

1 4

1 5

1 6

1 7

1 8

1 9

20

LIST OF FIGURES

Bulk Density Vs Soil Porosity (Segler 1 976) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Relationship between Root Growth and Soil Cone Index (Source: Kibria, 1 991 ) .. . .. .... . . . . . . . . ...... . . . .. . . . .. . ..... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .

Metering Characteristics of Drum Seeder at Three Seeding Rates Using Pre-Germinated Seeds Incubated for 36 Hours (Bautista, et al. 1 986) . . . . . . . . . ...... . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .... .. . . . . . . . ... . . . .. . . . ... . .

BRRI Modified Transplanter Picker Assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .... . . . . . . . . .

I RRI TR4 Transplanter Picker Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

BRRI Modified Transplanter Picker Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... . . . . .

I RRI TR4 Transplanter Skid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

BRRI Modified Transplanter Skid .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Shearing Strength Measuring I nstrument for Seedling Mat . . . . . . .

Shearing Strength Measuring Rig for Seedling Mat . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . .

Calibration Chart of Shearing Strength Measuring Instrument . .

IRRI Designed Drum Seeder .. . . . . . . .... .. . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . .. . . . . . . . . .

BRRI Modified Drum Seeder with Seed Tray Assembly . . . .. .. . . . . .

Modified Drum Seeder Tray Housing . . . ... . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . .... . . ... . . .... . . . . .

Modified Drum Seeder Tray . . . . . ...... . . . . ... . . .. . ..... . . . . . . . ...... . . . . . . .. . . . . . .

Drum Seeder Metering Device . . ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .

Cone Penetrometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Layout Plan of Transplanter Test Experiment . . ......... . . ...... . . . . . .. . .

Layout Plan of SxM Combinations for Mat and Seedling Parameter Experiment . . . . ... . ... . . . . ......... . . . ... . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... . . . . . . . .

Layout Plan of SxA Combinations for Mat and Seedling Parameter Experiment . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . .. . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

xiv

Page

30

35

43

49

51

51

52

54

55

56

59

66

67

68

69

70

72

73

89

90

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

32

33

34

35

36

Proposed Seedling Tray . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Layout Plan of Drum Seeder Test Experiment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Relationship between Dragging Force and Load of Transplanter at Straight Pull ing Condition in 2-3 em Water Depth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Relationship between Dragging Force and Load of Transplanter at Straight Pull ing Condition in Less Than 2 em Water Depth .. ,

Relationship between Dragging Force and Load of Transplanter at Headland Turning in 2-3 em Water Depth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Relationship between Dragging Force and Load of Transplanter at Headland Turning in Less than 2 em Water Depth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Depth of Cone Penetration at Different Parts of the Transplanter Test Field . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Depth of Hard Pan at Different Parts of the Transplanter Test Field . .. .. . . .. . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .. . . . . .. . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Transplanting Cost by BRRI Modified Transplanter with Wooden Frame Nursery Seedl ing Compared to Hand Transplanting with Wet Bed Seedling in Different Levels of Use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Transplanting Cost by B RRI Modified Transplanter with Bamboo Frame Nursery Seedling Compared to Hand Transplanting with Wet Bed Seedling in Different Levels of Use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Transplanting Cost by BRRI Modified Transplanter with Plastic Frame Nursery Seedling Compared to Hand Transplanting with Wet Bed Seedling in Different Levels of Use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Transplanting Cost by BRRI Modified Transplanter with Nylon Rope Nursery Seedl ing Compared to Hand Transplanting with Wet Bed Seedling in Different Levels of Use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Transplanting Cost by BRRI Modified Transplanter with Plastic Tray Nursery Seedling Compared to Hand Transplanting with Wet Bed Seedling in Different Levels of Use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Relationship between Moisture Content and Rupture Strength of Seedling Mat . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Relationship between Moisture Content and Soil Bearing I ndex of Seedling Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Relationship between Moisture Content and Uniformity Index of Seedling Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

xv

91

1 02

1 1 7

1 1 7

1 1 8

1 1 8

1 1 9

1 1 9

1 29

1 29

1 30

1 30

1 31

1 38

1 38

1 39

37

38

39

40

41

42

43

44

Relationship between Moisture Content and Number of Seedling per Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Relationship between Seedling Age and Rupture Strength of Seedling Mat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Relationship between Seedling Age and Soil Bearing Index of Seedling Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Relationship between Seedling Age and Uniformity Index of Seedling Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Relationship between Seedling Age and Number of Seedling per Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Relationship between Pull ing Force and Load of Drum Seeder with Straight Pull ing Condition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Relationship between Pull ing Force and Load of Drum Seeder with Headland Turning Condition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Cost Comparison of Seeding and Weeding Between Machine and Hand System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

xvi

1 39

1 47

1 47

1 48

1 48

1 55

1 55

1 56

Plate

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

1 0

1 1

1 2

1 3

1 4

1 5

LIST OF PLATES

I RRI Designed Transplanter

B RRI Modified Transplanter

IRRI Designed Drum Seeder

BRRI Modified Drum Seeder

Putting Mud on Plastic Sheet in a Dapog Bed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Pressing Seed i n a Dapog Bed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Dapog Seedlings are Ready for Transplanting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Ingredients for Raising Seedling in Tray . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Determination of Seedling Quality by Colour Chart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Rupture Strength Measurement of Seedling Mat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Determination of Seedling Block Parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Field Operation of Drum Seeder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Crop Stand after 1 5 Days of Transplanting by IRRI Designed Transplanter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Crop Stand after 1 5 Days of Transplanting by BRRI Modified Transplanter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Crop Stand after 1 5 Days of Hand Transplanting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

xvii

Page

47

47

64

64

76

76

77

95

95

98

98

1 04

1 1 2

1 1 2

1 1 3

LIST OF SYMBOLS

a intercept for wet seeding model

f3 estimated parameter coefficient for wet seeding model

t5 estimated parameter coefficient for wet seeding model

() estimated parameter coefficient for wet seeding model

p bulk density (kg/m3)

T shear strength ( KN/m2)

() compressive strength ( KN/m2)

rp angle of internal friction of soil (degree)

<p angle of repose (degree)

e cone included angle (degree)

@ at the rate of

A area (ha)

B diameter of orifice (mm)

c soil cohesion ( KN/m2)

d average diameter of spherical particle (mm)

D depreciation ( US$lyr)

d1 major diameter of spherical particle (mm)

d2 minor diameter of spherical particle (mm)

Ef field efficiency (%)

F shearing force (N )

g acceleration due to gravity

ha hectare

hr hour

total interest (US$)

interest rate (%)

Kg Kilogram

length of box (m)

L expected economic life of a machine (Yr)

m mass

P purchase price of a machine (US$)

xviii

Q flow rate of agricultural produce (gm/min)

R replication

R2 coefficient of determination

Rm repair and maintenance cost (US$/Yr)

rm repair and maintenance charge (% of P )

Rs rupture strength (N/cm2)

S salvage value

Sb volume of soil block (cm3)

Se effective field capacity (ha/hr)

Si soil bearing index

Sib volume of ideal soil block (cm3)

St theoretical field capacity (ha/hr)

Tk Bangladesh currency (TAKA)

TI non-productive time

Tp productive time

Tup yield shear strength of unpuddled soil

Ui uniformity index

US$ US dollar

V total volume of sample (cm3)

Ve effective operating speed ( Kmlhr)

Vs volume of settled soil (cm3)

Vt theoretical operating speed ( Kmlhr)

Wb weight of soil block (gm)

We effective working width (m)

Wib weight of ideal soil block (gm)

Wt theoretical working width (m)

X independent variable

Z dependent variable

xix

AAAE

AMA

BAU

BRRI

CRS

cv

DF

DMRT

DP

FAa

FC

G. I .

lAM

IRRI

J ICA

LSD

M.S.

MS

MTCP

N. I .A.E

ns

aDA

PAU

PI

PPC

RCB

S. E.D

SS

UPM

VC

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS

Asian Association of Agricultural Engineering

Agricultural Mechanisation in Asia, Africa and Latin America

Bangladesh Agricultural University

Bangladesh Rice Research Institute

Cold Ro"ed Steel

coefficient of variation

Degree of Freedom

Duncan's Multiple Range Test

Degree of Puddle

Food and Agricultural Organization

Fixed Cost

Galvanized I ron

Institute of Agricultural Machinery

I nternational Rice Research Institute

Japan International Cooperation Agency

Least Significant Difference

M ild Steel

Mean of Squares

Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme

National Institute of Agricultural Engineering

not significant

Overseas Development Agency

Punjab Agricultural univers ity

Puddling Index

Phi lippines Packing Corporation

Randomized Complete Block

Standard Error Difference

Sum of Squares

University Putra Malaysia

Variable Cost

xx

Abstract of dissertation presented to the Senate of Universiti Putra Malaysia in fulfi lment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy.

MODIFICATION, PERFORMANCE AND ADAPTATION OF MANUALLY OPERATED TRANSPLANTING AND SEEDING MACHINES FOR

LOWLAND PADDY

By

MD. SYEDUL ISLAM

September 1 998

Chairman : Associate Prof. Dr. I r. Desa Ahmad

Faculty : Engineering

An experiment was conducted for improvement of the 6-row manually

operated rice transplanter designed by Intemational Rice Research I nstitute ( IRRI ) to

be adapted in the rice producing countries. After modification, a 5-row prototype was

developed at the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) , and both transplanters

were evaluated and compared with hand transplanting method. A supplementary

experiment was conducted to identify the optimum quality of the seedling mat for an

improvement of the transplanter performance. Another experiment was conducted to

improve the performance of IRRI designed drum seeder for lowland paddy. The

machine was evaluated and compared with the hand seeding method.

The wooden skid of the IRRI transplanter was replaced by a skid made of G.!.

sheet in BRRI transplanter which made it durable, l ight weight and incurred less

sl iding resistance. As a result, the dragging force for modified transplanter was

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reduced by 30% compared to the previous prototype. The circular configuration of the

picker finger of IRRI transplanter was modified to a semi-circular one which

improved its cutting action .

The effective field capacities of IRRI transplanter, BRRI transplanter and the

hand transplanting methods were 0.01 55 halhr, 0.0191 halhr and 0.0023 halhr

respectively. As a result, a 20% increase in working capacity was achieved with

BRRI transplanter over IRRI transplanter. The field efficiencies of IRRI and BRRI

transplanters were 76.83% and 78.90% which were simi lar, but that of hand

transplanting method was 91 .40% which was significantly higher than those of

machine transplanting. Seedling per hi l l in machine transplanting was significantly

higher than hand transplanting method due to excessive seedling density in the

nursery. The missing hi l ls i n IRRI and BRRI transplanters were 3 .81% and 3 .66%

respectively which were mostly identical but in case of hand transplanting method,

the missing hi l l was ni l . The rice yields from the fields planted by IRRI , BRRI and

hand transplanting methods were not significantly different at 5% level.

An instrumentation system was developed to measure the rupture strength of

seedling mat. After investigation , it was found that the rupture strength has an inverse

relationship with the mat moisture content. The average values for the rupture

strengths at saturation (45-50%) , intermediate (30-35%) and friable range (20-25%)

moisture contents were 3.21 N/cm2, 4.21 N/cm2 and 8.25 N/cm2 respectively. The

seedling mat with silty clay loam soil at a moisture content of 30-35% dry basis,

produced the maximum value for soil bearing index (0.84) which was found better for

crop establishment. The addition of saw dust to the mat soil decreased soil cohesion

and consequently decreased the soil bearing index of the seedling block which was

not helpful for crop establishment.

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The cost of seedling production for 1 ha of land in the wooden frame,

bamboo frame, plastic frame and nylon rope nurseries were l imited to US$27.00 but

in case of plastic tray that was US$4S.00. However, for the wetbed nursery it was

only US$1 9.00 per ha. The partial budget analyses indicated that machine

transplanting with wooden frame, bamboo frame, plastic frame and nylon rope

nursery seedlings produced the net benefits of US$1 3.48, US$1 9.46, US$1 6.0S and

US$26.61 per ha respectively compared with hand transplanting method. On the

other hand machine transplanting with plastic tray seedling incurred a net loss of

US$3S.20 per hectare compared to the cost of hand transplanting with wetbed

nursery seedling ( US$93. 1 8 per ha). The break-even use levels per year of machine

transplanting with wooden frame, bamboo frame, plastic frame and nylon rope

nursery seedlings were 2.0 ha, 1 .6 ha, 1 .8 ha and 0.7 ha respectively and that with

tray seedling was 1 3.00 ha.

The problem of unwanted seed dropping at the headland with the existing

seeder was solved by incorporating a seed collector assembly which saved 5-7 kg of

seed per hectare. The partial budget analysis revealed that by using drum type

seeder and a rotary type weeder, a farmer could earn a net benefit of US$53.34 per

hectare compared to hand seeding followed by hand weeding. The break-even

analysis indicated that if a farmer has only 0.3 hectare of land, he could economically

afford a drum type seeder and a rotary type weeder.

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Abstrak dissertasi yang dikemukakan kepada Senat Universiti Putra Malaysia sebagai memenuhi syarat keperluan untuk ijazah Doktor Falsafah.

PENGUBAHSUAIAN, PRESTASI DAN PENYESUAIAN MESIN-MESIN PENANAM DAN PENABUR BENIH YANG BEROPERASI SECARA

MANUAL UNTUK PADI SAWAH

Oleh

MD. SYEDUL ISLAM

September 1 998

Pengerusi : Prof. Madya I r. Dr. Desa Ahmad

Fakulti : Kejuruteraan

Satu eksperimen telah dijalankan untuk melakukan peningkatan terhadap

mesin penanam 6-baris yang beroperasi secara manual oleh Institusi Penyelidikan

Padi Antarabangsa ( IRR I ) untuk disesuaikan di negara-negara pengeluar padi.

Selepas pengubahsuaian , satu prototaip 5-baris telah dimajukan di Institusi

Penyelidikan Padi Bangladesh (BRRI ) dan kedua-dua alat penanam telah dinilai dan

dibandingkan dengan kaedah pemindahan tangan. Satu eksperimen tambahan telah

dijalankan untuk mengenalpasti kualiti hamparan anak benih yang optimum untuk

meningkatkan prestasi alat penanam tersebut. Kajian juga telah dijalankan untuk

meningkatkan prestasi drum menabur benih rekaan IRRI untuk padi tanah rendah.

Mesin in i telah dini lai dan dibandingkan dengan kaedah semaian tangan.

Papan gelincir kayu alat penanam IRRI itu telah digantikan dengan alat

gelincir yang diperbuat daripada kepingan nipis G. I dalam alat penanam BRRI yang

menyebabkannya tahan ,ringan dan kurang rintangan gelongsor. Akibatnya, daya

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