Performance evaluation of Unmanned Drum Seeder (UDR) over Manual Drum Seeder (MDR) using Taguchi design by Minitab

In response to operational issues impacting seeding performance, occupational hazards, cumbersome and labor-intensive operation of manual drum seeder (MDR), the unmanned drum seeder (UDR) was developed. Using a 3 mm thick layer of grease coated on a plastic sheet, the UDR performance was evaluated in the soil bin using the grease belt technique. The performance parameters were considered to be factors forward speed (Fs) of 6 levels (0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5 and 3.0 km h−1) and Drum Fill Level (DL) of 3 levels (25, 50 and 75%) w.r.t to responses Seed Rate (Sr), Hill spacing uniformity (Us), Missing Index (MI), Co-efficient of variation No.of seeds per hill (Cv) and Hill Span (Hs). The tests were designed by Mixed level Taguchi design in Minitab V21 software. The Factor Fs found to be positively co-related with responses Cv, MI & Hs and negatively corelated to Sr & Us. Whereas Factor DL was not co-related with Cv, MI, Hs & US and negatively co-related with Sr. Results of responses Sr, MI, Us, Cv and HS in the soil bin study were 19.28 kg· ha−1, 0%, 94.42%, 0.179 and 8.803 cm respectively for optimal factor values of Fs and DL were 2.5 km.h−1 and 75%. Thereafter, UDR was tested on a wet field with a standing water level of 3 mm. In Comparison to MDR, UDR had a 40% to 65% inclination in field capacity (Fc), 14% to 31% inclination in net benefit value per year (NBV). In addition, operator drudgery and labor requirements have reduced by 89% and 92% respectively.