Optimization of the operational parameters of a picking-type pneumatic planter using response surface methodology

Singulation of seeds has been investigated extensively by researchers all over the world and a large number of precision seeding systems with design variations have been developed for different crops. Apicking type metering mechanism was developed at CAET, AAU, Godhra, Gujarat, India. The performancewasinvestigatedunderlaboratoryconditionstooptimizetheoperating parameters i.e.hole diameters for the nozzle: 1.0, 1.5, 2.5 and 3.0 mm; forward speed: 0.37, 0.56, 0.83, 1.11 and 1.30 m/s and vacuum pressure: 19.33, 39.32, 43.98, 58.64 and 68.63 kPa were selected for the study. The miss index, multiple index, quality of feed index and precision parameters were measured. The optimum value for forward speed, vacuum pressure and the holes diameter of nozzle was 0.96 m/s, 36.25 kPa and2.0mm,respectively.Themostimportant variable that governs planting phenomenon is the combination of hole diameter of nozzle and vacuum pressure