ASSIGNMENT NO.

08
TITLE: STUDY ON PLANTING AND PLANT PROTECTION
MACHINERY
COURSE TITLE: AGRICULTURAL MECHANIZATION
COURSE CODE: AGEN 160
DATE OF PERFORMANCE: 02-12-2024
DATE OF SUBMISSION: 27-01-2025

SUBMITTED BY SUBMITTED TO
SUMAYA AKTER RIMI SAIF IZLAL
REGISTRATION NO: 23010380 ADJUNCT FACULTY
LEVEL: 01 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL
SEMESTER: II ENGINEERING
SECTION: IV SHER-E-BANGLA AGRICULTURAL
GROUP: P UNIVERSITY

FACULTY OF AGRICULTURE
SHER-E-BANGLA AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY
SHER-E- BANGLA NAGAR

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 Introduction of seed drill:
A seed drill is a device used in agriculture that sows seeds for crops by positioning them in
the soil and burying them to a specific depth while being dragged by a tractor. This ensures
that seeds will be distributed evenly.

Figure : Seed drill

▪ Working principle of seed drill :

Seed Hopper: The seed drill has a hopper that holds the seeds. This hopper is designed to
ensure a steady flow of seeds to the distribution mechanism.
Separating seeds and fertilizer: Seed drills usually have two hoppers, one for seeds and
one for fertilizer. This allows the farmer to keep the seeds and fertilizer separate until they
are dropped into the soil.
Seed Metering: The seeds are metered or counted accurately using various mechanisms,
such as:
★Fluted Rollers: These rollers rotate and pick up seeds, ensuring a precise number of
seeds are released at each turn.
★Seed Cups: Small cups attached to a rotating disc pick up seeds and deposit them into
the seed tubes.
Seed Distribution: The metered seeds are then distributed into individual seed tubes, one
for each row of seeds to be sown.
Furrow Opening: Coulters or openers attached to the drill create furrows in the soil, where
the seeds will be placed.
Seed Placement: The seed tubes deliver the seeds into the furrows at the desired depth.
The seed hopper drops seeds into the furrow at a uniform, even spacing.
Covering seeds: A harrow component covers the seeds with soil, protecting them from
birds and the elements.
Pressing seeds: A covering and pressing wheel presses the soil around the seeds to ensure
proper contact and protect them from being washed away.
Furrow Closing: Following seed placement, the drill may have press wheels or other
devices to close the furrows, ensuring good seed-to-soil contact and moisture retention.
Seed delivery: Modern seed drills use air to move seeds from the hopper to the colters.
Seed drill width: Some seed drills can be up to 12 meters wide.

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 Seed drill mechanisms: There are several different seed drill mechanisms, including brush
feed, picker wheel, star wheel, and auger feed.

• Calibration procedure of seed drill :

The procedure of testing the seed drill for correct seed rate is called calibration of seed
drill. It is necessary to calibrate the seed drill before operating in the field to get a
predetermined seed rate of the machine. The following steps are to be followed for
calibration of seed drill :
▪ Step 1: Determine the nominal width (W) of drill. W = M × S Where M is the number of
furrow openers and S is the spacing between the openers in meter and W is in meter.
▪ Step 2: Find the length of a strip (L) having nominal width W necessary to cover 1/25th of
a hectare. L =(10000/W)×(1/25)=(400/W) meters.
▪ Step 3: Determine the number of revolutions (N) the ground wheel has to make to cover
the length of the strip (L). π×D×N=(10000/W)×(1/25) where D is the diameter of ground
wheel in meter or N=(10000/π×D×W)×(1/25) =(400/π×D×W) rpm.
▪ Step 4: Raise the seed drill in such a way that the ground wheels turn freely. Make a mark
on the drive wheel and a corresponding mark at a convenient place on the body of the drill
to help in counting the revolutions of the drive wheel.
▪ Step 5: Put the selected seed and fertilizer in the respective hoppers. Place a sack or a
container under each boot for seeds and the fertilizers.
▪ Step 6: Set the rate control adjustment for the seed and fertilizer for maximum drilling.
Mark this position on the control for reference.
▪ Step 7: Engage the clutch or on-off adjustment for the hoppers and rotate the drive wheel
at the speed N. N=400/(π×D×W) rev/min.
▪ Step 8: Weigh the quantity of seed and fertilizer dropped from each opener and record on
the data sheet.
▪ Step 9: Calculate the seed and fertilizer dropped in kg/hectare and record on the data sheet.
▪ Step 10: Repeat the process by suitable adjusting the rate control till desired rate of seed
and fertilizer drop is obtained.
Seed cum fertilizer drill:
Seed cum fertilizer drill is used for simultaneous activities of seeding and fertilization
process in single operation. It drills seeds and fertilizer together but delivers them
separately in a single drive. The seeds and fertilizer are drilled at different depth, thus
insures improved germination. There is separate container for seeds and fertilizer. Use of
seed cum fertilizer drill helps to use fertilizer in plant near area and also in the zone where
fertilizer loss is low and uptake by plant is high. This ensures efficient use of limited
fertilizer. It is operated through tractor. This machine could be used for variety of field
crops such as: Maize, Wheat, Barley, Pulses, Peas, Black grams etc.

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 Figure : Seed cum fertilizer drill

❖ Power tiller operated seeder (PTOS) :

A Power Tiller Operated Seeder (PTOS) is a specialized agricultural implement designed
to be linked to a power tiller (also known as a walk-behind tractor). It considerably boosts
the efficiency of seed sowing by integrating the tilling and seeding operations into a single
operation.

Figure : Power tiller operated seeder

▪ Working principle of power tiller operated seeder :

Attachment: The PTOS is attached to the power tiller's power take-off shaft (PTO).
Seed and Fertilizer Hoppers: The seeder has separate hoppers for seeds and fertilizers.
Metering Mechanism: A metering mechanism, often using rotating plates or cups,
accurately measures the flow of seeds and fertilizers.
Seed and Fertilizer Distribution: The metered seeds and fertilizers are then distributed
through tubes or pipes to the desired sowing points.
Cultivation and Sowing: As the power tiller moves forward, it cultivates the soil and
simultaneously sows the seeds and applies fertilizers at the appropriate depth.

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❖ Planter:
A planter is a farm implement, usually towed behind a tractor, that sows (plants) seeds in
rows throughout a field. It is connected to the tractor with a drawbar or a three-point hitch.
Planters lay the seeds down in precise manner along rows.

Figure : Planter

▪ Comparison between seeder and planter:

Feature Seeder Planter

Function Scatters seed evenly Plant seeds precisely

Seed type Used for smaller seeds Used for larger seeds

Row spacing Smaller row spacing Larger row spacing

Precision Seeders are less precise Planters are more precise

Design Simple design More complex

Cost Generally more affordable More expensive

Plant protection equipment :

Plant protection equipment is a variety of tools used to apply pesticides, chemicals, and
other products to plants and soil to control pests, weeds, and diseases. Proper maintenance
and calibration of plant protection equipment is important for effective pest control. Well-
maintained equipment can help prevent plant protection products from entering the
environment and minimize health risks.

➢ Sprayers :
A sprayer is a device used to spray a liquid, where sprayers are commonly used for
projection of water, weed killers, crop performance materials, pest maintenance chemicals,
as well as manufacturing and production line ingredients. In agriculture, a sprayer is a piece

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 of equipment that is used to apply herbicides, pesticides, and fertilizers on agricultural
crops.

▪ Different types of sprayers:

✓ Hand sprayers: A hand sprayer is a portable tank with a wand that sprays a liquid in a fine
mist. To use a hand sprayer, you pump air into the tank with one hand to maintain pressure,
and control the spray nozzle with the other hand.

Figure : Hand sprayers

✓ Knapsack sprayers: A knapsack sprayer is a handheld device that's worn on the back like
a backpack and used to spray liquids onto crops, gardens, or farms.

Figure : Knapsack sprayer

The liquid is applied through a nozzle that's attached to a pressurized reservoir on the
operator's back. Knapsack sprayers are commonly used to apply pesticides, herbicides,
fertilizers, and other chemicals.

✓ Ultra-low volume (ULV): Ultra-low volume (ULV) spraying is a technique that uses a small
amount of an active ingredient to kill flying insects on contact. ULV applications involve
small quantities of active ingredient in relation to the size of the area treated, typically less
than 3 ounces per acre, which minimizes exposure and risks to people and the environment.

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 Figure :Ultra-low volume (ULV)

✓ Boom sprayers: A boom sprayer is a farm tool that sprays chemicals and liquids onto plants
to control pests, fertilize, or maintain crops. Boom sprayers are versatile and efficient, and
can be used on large fields or small farms. The nozzles are the most important component
of the sprayer, as they split the herbicide into small droplets that are projected through the
air.

Figure : Boom sprayer

✓ Power Sprayers: These sprayers are powered by engines or motors and are used for larger-
scale applications.

1. Engine-Powered Sprayers: These are typically used in agriculture and horticulture for
spraying large areas.

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 Figure: Engine-Powered sprayer

2. Electric Sprayers: These are more environmentally friendly than engine-powered sprayers
and are suitable for smaller areas.

Figure : Electric sprayer

➢ Dusters: A duster is a piece of plant protection equipment that applies dry chemicals, such
as pesticides, to plants in the form of a fine mist. Dusters are different from sprayers, which
use liquid solutions to distribute chemicals on plants.

▪ Different types of dusters:

➢ Plunger type: A plunger type duster is a plant protection equipment that uses a simple
plunger-type air pump, a dust chamber, and a discharge assembly. The discharge assembly
can be a straight tube or a small exit pipe, and the outlet can be adjusted by moving a lid
at the end of the dust chamber.

Figure : Plunger type

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➢ Knapsack type: It is a duster with the powder container carried on the back of the operator.
Knapsack dusters have a hopper through which a current of air is blown to pick up the
dust. The air current is produced by a lever operated leather bellows. Shoulder straps are
used to carry in the field.

Figure : Knapsack type

➢ Rotary type: Hand rotary dusters are useful to apply chemicals which are in powder form.
It consists of a hopper, a fan, gear box, handle, delivery hose and a deflector plate.

Figure : Rotary type

➢ Power operated duster: A power operated duster is a device that uses a fan to blow dust
from a hopper over a large area. It's made up of a fan, a hopper, and a delivery spout. The
fan creates a strong airflow that blows the dust vertically or horizontally. The movable
spout regulates the direction of the dust.

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 Figure : Power operated duster

❖ Conclusion :

The integration of advanced planting techniques and modern plant machinery has
revolutionized agricultural practices, improving efficiency, reducing labor dependency,
and optimizing resource usage. Proper selection and maintenance of machinery are critical
to ensuring long-term sustainability and profitability in farming operations. This study
highlights the need for continuous innovation and training in the use of planting machinery
to meet the growing demands of global food production while minimizing environmental
impact.

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