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Electronic ISSN 2659-1502 http://www.bioline.org.br/ja Vol. 27 (3) 389-393 March 2023

Performance Evaluation of Home-developed Four-row Animal Drawn Precision Maize

Planter using a Pair of Bull to Plant SAMMAZ 17 Maize Variety in Samaru-Zaria,
Nigeria
1AHMED, K; *²SALEH, A; 3KALU, G; 3MUSA, AD; 4AMONYE, MC
1
Department of Agricultural and Bio-Environmental Engineering Technology, Samaru College of Agriculture, Division of Agricultural
Colleges, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria.
*2
Department of Agricultural and Bio-Resources Engineering, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria.
3
Department of Agricultural Engineering and Irrigation, National Agricultural Extension and Research Liaison Services, Ahmadu Bello
University, Zaria, Nigeria.
4
National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI), Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, Abuja.

*Corresponding Author Email: salehaminu@gmail.com, Tel: +234 803 577 4780

Co-Authors email: kbahmd@yahoo.com; kaluntyg@yahoo.com; mosead@yahoo.com; mikeamanyo@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT: Realization of optimum yield per hectare in maize production has always been a challenge
especially when using home-developed equipment. The objectives of this research was to evaluate the effect of ground
speed, hopper seed quantity and planting depth on plant spacing, germination count, and seed delivery rate of a home-
developed four-row animal drawn precision maize planter using a pair of bull to plant SAMMAZ 17 maize variety on
a harrowed field. It was drawn by a pair of bull in a 3×3×2 randomized complete block experimental design. The
treatment factors were three levels of hopper seed quantity (25%, 50% and 100%), three levels of ground speed (2.16,
2.88, and 3.6 km/h) and two levels of planting depth (15 and 25 mm). The results showed that the effects of planting
speed, seed quantity and planting depth were highly significant on the planting performance of the machine. The
optimum mean seed spacing, germination counts, field efficiency and seed delivery rate of 23.52 cm, 100 %, 86.9%
and 20.3 kg/ha respectively were obtained. The study show that optimum seed stand could be achieved with home-
developed planted for optimum yield when ground speed, hopper seed quantity and planting depth were varied
appropriately.

DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/jasem.v27i3.1

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Cite this paper as: AHMED, K; SALEH, A; KALU, G; MUSA, AD; AMONYE, M. C. (2023). Performance
Evaluation of Home-developed Four-row Animal Drawn Precision Maize Planter using a Pair of Bull to Plant
SAMMAZ 17 Maize Variety in Samaru-Zaria, Nigeria. J. Appl. Sci. Environ. Manage. 27 (3) 389-393

Dates: Received: 18 February 2023; Revised: 20 March 2023; Accepted: 22 March 2023
Published: 31 March 2023

Keywords: Evaluations; Ground Speed; Maize; Precision Planter; Seed Spacing

The increase in human population in most developing establishment of uniform crop stands would make
countries such as Nigeria has become the major reason subsequent operations more effective and thus
prompting the demand of continuous food production, increase yield could be ensured (Gambari et al., 2017).
while the effects of climatic change continued to have Similarly, Behera et al., (1995) reported that, one of
adverse influence on agriculture (Akinseye et al., the important factors that affect the germination of
2013). The advancement in crop productivity can be seeds is the uniformity in distribution pattern of seeds
realized through genetic improvement or by the use of at proper planting depth and spacing for the realization
an efficient technical know-how in production or even of an appropriate crop stand there by increasing the
by the combination of both methods (Saleem et al., crop yield. Planting operation in Nigeria is largely
2013). Planting operation is one of the greatest attributed with manual method resulting in high level
operation associated with crop production. Adequate of drudgery, non-uniformity of intra-row spacing and
*Corresponding Author Email: salehaminu@gmail.com, Tel: +234 803 577 4780
Performance Evaluation of Home-developed Four-row Animal….. 390

depth of plant, low rate of seed emergence, (Upahi, animal drawn precision maize planter using a pair of
2017). This causes delay in planting operation which bull to plant SAMMAZ 17 maize variety on a
is detrimental to the yield of crop. Where locally harrowed field.
developed planters are used, they are challenged with
the inability to effectively meter seed in the right MATERIALS AND METHODS
spacing and depth without damage to produce good Experimental site: The study was conducted in the
seed rate (Ahmed et al., 2021). In addition, imported Experimental Farm of the Institute for Agricultural
tractor-drawn planters are out of reach of the peasant Research (IAR), Ahmadu Bello University, Samaru-
farmers due to their exorbitant costs and lack of Zaria, Nigeria. It is located at Samaru on Latitude
technicalities to operate and maintain them (Isiaka, et 11.7° 30° to 11° 120’’ N, Longitude 07° 36’’ E to 07°
al., 2001). In order to overcome these challenges, there 42” and an altitude of 686 m above sea level (Figure
is need to assess a locally developed planter that would 1). The climatic condition of this region is
efficiently perform such the appropriated stands per characterized by an annual mean rainfall of 1000 mm,
hectare could be realized that could aid high food atmospheric humidity as low as 15% during the dry
production without minimum variability in climatic season and above 60% during the wet season,
condition. This research intends to link these barriers. minimum temperature of 22˚C in January and
Hence, the objective of this research was to evaluate attaining the maximum 28˚C in April (Adeyemi et al.,
the effect of ground speed, hopper seed quantity and 2019). Mean wind velocity was 13 km/h while the soil
planting depth on plant spacing, germination count, in the site is sandy loam.
and seed delivery rate of a home-developed four-row

Fig 1: Map of Samaru-Zaria Showing the Study Area (Saleh et al., 2022)

The assessment of the planter (Plates 1 and 2; Experimental Design and Statistical Analysis:
Orthographic view – Appendix I) was done on a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) in a 3 ×
harrowed wet field during the 2021 cropping season 3 × 2 experimental design was adopted in evaluating
with a total of 54 treatments as shown in plate 2. Each the planter while the slope of the field is the blocking
treatment was run along 5000 mm length, maintaining factor. The experiment comprised of three levels of
the width of the planter which was 2250 mm to serve planting speed (V1 = 2.16 km/h, V2 = 2.88 km/h, and
as a single treatment (Badua 2021). The plot was V3 = 3.6 km/h), three levels of seed quantity (Q1 =
divided into three portions with each serving as a 25%, Q2 = 50%, Q3 = 100%) and two levels of
replicate across slope, and each replicate contains 18 planting depth (T1 = 1.5cm and T2 = 2.5 cm). Data
treatments. The planting is aimed at discharging seed obtained from the experiment was subjected to
at intra row spacing of 250 mm with each unit of the analysis of variance ANOVA using Statistical
planter spaced at 750 mm to achieve at least 80 plant Analysis System (SAS) software. Mean differences
stand in each treatment plot. were tested using Duncan Multiple Range Test
(DMRT) to determine the significance of variables.

AHMED, K; SALEH, A; KALU, G; MUSA, AD; AMONYE, M. C.

Performance Evaluation of Home-developed Four-row Animal….. 391

The orthographic view of the four-row animal-drawn by adopting the procedures prescribed by FAO (2000)
precision planter is presented in Plate 3 as shown below.

Seed discharge rate Rs (kg/ha): The seed discharge

rate was determined from the formula given in
equation 1.

𝑄𝑝
Rs = (1)
𝐴

Where: Qp = Quantity of planted seed (kg); A = Area

of planted field (ha)

Field efficiency 𝜀 (%): The field efficiency was

Plate 1: The Developed planter calculated from the equation 2;
𝑇𝑒
𝜀= × 100 (2)
𝑇𝑡

Where: 𝜀 = Field efficiency (%); Te = Effective time

(min); Tt = Total time

Plant population Pp (%): The plant population was

obtained from the expression given in equation 3
𝑆𝑔
PP = × 100 (3)
𝑆

Plate 2: Planter in operation Where Sg = Germinated seed; S = Total seed planted

Data Collection: Data collection and performance

evaluation of the planter was carried out on the field

Plate 3. Orthographic View of the Four-Row Animal-Drawn Precision Planter

AHMED, K; SALEH, A; KALU, G; MUSA, AD; AMONYE, M. C.

Performance Evaluation of Home-developed Four-row Animal….. 392

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION mm, the highest field efficiency of 86.9 % which was
Seed spacing: Results obtained from the study (Table significantly different from others was recorded. The
1) shows that the interactive effect of planting speed 2.88 km/h, 25 %, 15 mm and 2.88 km/h, 50 %, 15 mm
and planting depth on the seed spacing. Generally, the are the same, as well as 2.88 km/h, 100 %, 25 mm and
15 mm planting depth at 2.88 km/h and 25 mm 3.6 km/h, 25 %, 15 and 25 mm are also the same. The
planting depth at both planting speed of 2.16 km/h and best result obtained was as a result of intermediate
2.88 km/h recorded the highest mean seed spacing and forward speed and seed hopper quantity used and high
are significantly the same, but significantly different at planting depth. This agrees with Isiaka et al. (2000)
2.16 km/h and 3.6 km/h. Highest mean seed spacing and the high mean field efficiency obtained was as a
of 23.52 cm for 15 mm planting depth at 2.88 km/h result of more number of rows (i.e. 4 rows). The least
and least mean seed spacing of 21.24 cm for 25 mm field efficiency of 56 % for 3.6 km/h, 100% and 15
planting depth at 3.6 km/h were recorded. This shows mm was recorded.
that the machine could operate with a better seed
Table 2: Effect of Interaction between Planting Speed, Seed
spacing at a moderate forward speed regardless of
Quantity and Planting Depth on Seed Germination Count.
whether the penetration of the furrow opener in the soil
was increased or decreased. This agrees with Mandal
et al (2013) and Ahmed et al (2021) who obtained the
highest field result with 2.88 km/h.

Table 1: Effect of Interaction between Planting Speed and

Planting Depth on Seed Spacing
Mean Seed spacing (cm)
Treatment Planting speed (km/h)
2.16 2.88 3.6
Planting depth (mm)
15 22.26b 23.52a 22.29b
25 23.37a 23.47a 21.24c
SE+ 0.174
Means followed by same letter(s) in the same column and row are
not different significantly at P=0.05 using DMRT.

Plant population: The DMRT on the second level of

interaction between planting speed, seed quantity and
planting depth on germination count was presented on
Table 2. At 2.16 km/h planting speed with seed Means followed by same letter(s) in the same column are not
quantity of 100% and planting depth of 15 mm, the different significantly at P=0.05using DMRT.
highest plant population of 100% which was
significantly different from others was recorded. The Table 3: Effect of Interaction between Planting Speed, Seed
Quantity and Planting Depth on Field Efficiency.
least germination counts of 73.0% at 3.6 km/h speed, Planting Seed Planting Field
100% seed quantity, 15 and 25 mm planting depth was speed quantity depth efficiency
recorded. This may be attributed to the good plant (km/h) (%) (mm) (%)
population at a low speed, high hopper seed quantity 25 15 67.9f
25 78.2bc
and shallow furrow opening of the soil. This may also 2.16 50 15 72.7de
be as a result of consistent seed metering due to low 25 79.6b
speed, stable operation due to the increase in hopper 100 15 57.6hi
weight and shallow opening of soil. Nwachukwu et al 25 69.3ef
25 15 75.1cd
(2000) constructed a single row planter and obtained 25 60.7gh
the highest germination count of 58 % at 2.16 m/s 2.88 50 15 74.6cd
forward speed. The result also agrees with Ahmed 25 86.9a
(2021) who developed a planter having a better 100 15 62.2g
25 73.6de
germination count at lower speed, planting depth and 25 15 72.8de
high seed hopper quantity. 25 73.3de
3.6 50 15 68.3f
Field efficiency: The DMRT on the second level of 25 70.0ef
100 15 56.0i
interaction between planting speed, seed quantity and 25 62.1g
planting depth on field efficiency and field capacity SE+ 1.365
was presented on Table 3. At 2.88 km/h planting speed Means followed by same letter(s) in the same column are not
with seed quantity of 50% and planting depth of 25 different significantly at P=0.05 using DMRT.

AHMED, K; SALEH, A; KALU, G; MUSA, AD; AMONYE, M. C.

Performance Evaluation of Home-developed Four-row Animal….. 393

Seed Discharge Rate: Table 4 below shows the effect Akinseye, FM; Ajayi, VO; Oladitan TO (2013). Assessing
of seed quantity/planting depth interaction on the seed the impacts of climate variability on crop yield over
rate. The 15 mm planting depth at 100% seed quantity Sudano- Sahelian zone in Nigeria. Access Inter. J. Agric.
recorded the highest mean seed discharge rate and is Sci. l1 (7), 91- 98
significantly different, but significantly the same at 25 Badua, SA; Sharda, A; Strasser R; Ciampitti, I (2021).
and 50% seed quantity. The 25 mm planting depth was Ground Speed and Planter downforce influence on corn
also the same at 25, 50 and 100 % seed quantity. seed spacing and depth. Transaction of the ASABE.
Highest mean seed rate of 20.3 kg/ha for 15 mm http://doi.org/10.1007/s11119-020-09775-7
planting depth at 100 % and least mean seed rate of
18.3 kg/ha for 25 mm planting depth at 50 % were Behera, BK; Swain, S; Sahoo, PK; Behera, D (1995).
recorded. Here there is uniform consumption of plant Evaluation of seeding device for dry land Paddy. AMA,
nutrients. This may be due to high seed quantity in the 26(4), 17-21.
hopper and low planting depth causing quick and
FAO (2000). Draught Animal power, An over view. AGSE
effective emergence as seeds are not sowed deeply Report Agriculture 21 spotlight.
into the soil. This conforms to the finding of Virk et www.fao./ag/ags/chapter1- e.htm
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Gambari, AB; Bello, KI; Soyemi, YW (2017) Development
Table 4: Effect of Interaction between Seed Quantity and Planting
and performance evaluation of a manually operated two-
Depth on Seeding Rate.
Mean Seed rate (Kgha-1)
row maize planter, International Conference of Science,
Treatment Seed quantity (%) Engineering and Environmental Technology, 2(11): 78-
25 50 100 86
Planting depth (mm)
15 19.1b 19.2b 20.3a Isiaka, M; El-Okene AMI; Suleiman, ML (2001)
25 18.7bc 18.3c 18.5c Comparative Study of Three Planting Methods for Small
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Isiaka, M; Suleiman, ML; El-Okene, AMI; Muhammad, US
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AHMED, K; SALEH, A; KALU, G; MUSA, AD; AMONYE, M. C.