MANUFACTURE AND EVALUATION OF A COMBINATION MACHINE FOR SEED BED PREPARATION, WATER HARVESTING AND PLANTING UNDER RAINFED AGRICULTURAL CONDITIONS

Morad, M. M.; Ali, M. M.

doi:10.21608/mjae.2012.101353

MANUFACTURE AND EVALUATION OF A COMBINATION MACHINE FOR SEED BED PREPARATION, WATER HARVESTING AND PLANTING UNDER RAINFED AGRICULTURAL CONDITIONS

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

M. M. Morad ¹
M. M. Ali ²

¹ Prof. of Agric. Eng., Fac. of Agric., Zagazig Univ., Egypt.

² Assoc. Prof. of Agric. Eng., Fac. of Agric., Zagazig Univ., Egypt.

10.21608/mjae.2012.101353

Abstract

Experiments were carried out to manufacture and evaluate the performance of a combination machine suitable for seed bed preparation, water harvesting and planting under rain fed agricultural conditions. The manufactured machine was compared with the traditional method under the same conditions. The machine performance was studied as a function of change in machine forward speed and plowing depth. Performance evaluation of the manufactured machine was carried out in terms of bulk density, and infiltration rate as a soil measurements; crop yield as a crop measurements; runoff and water use efficiency as a water measurements; field capacity and efficiency, required power, energy requirements and operational cost as a machine measurements. The experimental results reveal that the manufactured machine decreased runoff volume, energy and cost while increased crop yield and water use efficiency under the following conditions:
- The use of the manufactured machine instead of the traditional method.
- Machine forward speed of between 3.5 to 4.5 km/h.
- Plowing depth of between 10 to 15 cm.

Main Subjects

Agricultural Power and Machinery Engineering

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