Influence of tillage methods on transplanter performance with different transplanting mechanisms

Sustainable vegetable production depends on the effective integration of conservation tillage practices with suitable transplanting technologies. This study analyzes the interaction between conservation and conventional tillage practices and the performance of three transplanter types: disc-type, carousel-type, and dibble-type. A split-plot experimental design was employed, where tillage methods (Conventional 1, Conservation 1, Conventional 2, and Conservation 2) were assigned to main plots, and transplanter types (disc-type, carousel-type, and dibble-type) were assigned to subplots. Key performance metrics, including seedling spacing, planting depth, gripping force, vertical positioning, damage rate, and survival rate, were evaluated for tomato and watermelon seedlings. The findings revealed consistent seedling spacing across transplanter types and tillage methods, while other performance indicators varied significantly. Under conservation tillage conditions, the dibble-type transplanter yielded suboptimal survival rates, with tomato seedling survival dropping to 75%, below the acceptable 90% threshold. In contrast, disc and carousel transplanters achieved higher survival rates under similar conditions, albeit with slightly increased damage rates, up to 8.1% for watermelon seedlings. This study highlights the necessity of selecting compatible transplanting equipment for the successful implementation of conservation tillage systems. By identifying optimal transplanter-tillage combinations, the research contributes to the advancement of sustainable vegetable production practices. Future studies should address crop-specific requirements and their interactions with conservation tillage and transplanting equipment to refine these recommendations further.