Performance evaluation of bullock drawn seedrill for groundnut

ABSTRACT Sowing is prime operation in cultivation practice of any crop which directly affects production.Therefore, timely sowing is necessary with available sources of power . To achieve these a prototypeconsisting of seed hopper , metering mechanism, power transmission unit, frame, furrow openerand beam for hitching arrangement was developed. The seed drill was tested for its performanceof sowing groundnut variety SB-XI. It delivered desired seed rate of 36.8kg/ha during fieldtesting and mechanical damage to the seed was found negligible i.e. 0.61%. The field capacity ofthe seed drill was 0.0612 ha/h at average operating speed of 2.4 km/h. The field efficiency of seeddrill was 76.5% and average depth of seed placement was 55 mm, where the average seed spacingwas 12 cm. The cost of drilling / planting with the help of this seed drill was estimated as Rs. 473.75per ha. The saving of man-hour and cost of drilling / planting was quite substantial and justifiedwith the use of seed drill.