Pantnagar Journal of Research

Abstract

This research paper presents field evaluation of a tractor-operated pneumatic planter for maize crop planting, for enhancing agricultural productivity. Maize, a vital staple crop globally, demands efficient and accurate planting methods to meet growing demands and ensure food security. The study focuses on assessing the technical specifications and seed metering mechanism of the pneumatic planter, utilizing air suction for precise seed distribution. Laboratory evaluations revealed that the pneumatic planter achieved consistent and accurate seed picking for 20 cm (mean = 214 seeds) and 25 cm (mean = 166 seeds) plant spacings, with minimal variation (CV = 1.69% and 6.22%, respectively). Field trials demonstrated that the planter's field efficiency ranged from 75.83% to 88.33%, while mean seed spacing varied from 19.1 mm to 25.8 mm, depending on speed and plant spacing conditions. The results indicate that the pneumatic planter provides uniform and precise seed placement, with low miss and multiple indices, and consistently high-quality feed indices. These findings support the advancement of agricultural technology and underscore the significance of modern machinery in meeting the increasing demands for maize production while ensuring efficient and precise planting practices for enhanced crop yields and resource optimization.