Journal ID : AMA-04-03-2022-11180
[This article belongs to Volume - 53, Issue - 03]
Total View : 390

Title : Optimization of the Metering Device of a Garlic (Allium sativum L.) Planter

Abstract :

This study determined the planting practices of Ilocos Norte, Philippines garlic farmers. Most farmers use the Ilocos White variety of garlic as planting material. Garlic fields range from 0.1 to 1 hectare with an average of 0.82 hectares. Planting distance range from 15.24 to 20.32 centimeters, with an average of 17.93 centimeters. This study also developed a garlic planter metering device in accordance with farmers’ inputs with a focus on determining the metering device’s optimal picker speed. The optimum speed should have a high percent singulation and low percent missed hills. Singulation is the ability of the cup conveyor to deliver only one clove to the delivery chute. Missed hills are deliveries without any cloves. Test speeds included 0.02, 0.035, and 0.05 m/s. A constant speed motor with different pulley systems drove the garlic planter on a test rig. Using the Design Expert Version 11 Response Surface – I-optimal Linear and Quadratic models, the optimal picker speed was determined to be 0.037 m/s with predicted values of percent singulation and missed hills as 71.27% and 5.88%, respectively. A confirmation test determined the actual performance of the metering device at the optimal picker speed. The percent singulation and percent missed hills of the planter in the confirmation test were 70.59% and 7.59%, respectively. ANOVA showed that the predicted values had no significant differences to the actual values.

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