Abstract
The development of an automatic walking-type pepper transplanter could be effective in improving the mechanization rate in pepper cultivation, where the dibbling mechanism plays a vital role and determines planting performance and efficiency. The objective of this research was to determine a suitable working speed for a gear-driven dibbling mechanism appropriate for a pepper transplanter, while considering agronomic transplanting requirements. The proposed dibbling mechanism consisted of two dibbling hoppers that simultaneously collected free-falling seedlings from the supply mechanism and dibbled them into soil. To enable the smooth collection and plantation of pepper seedlings, analysis was carried out via a mathematical working trajectory model of the dibbling mechanism, virtual prototype simulation, and validation tests, using a physical prototype. In the mathematical model analysis and simulation, a 300 mm/s forward speed of the transplanter and a 60 rpm rotational speed of the dibbling mechanism were preferable in terms of seedling uprightness and low mulch film damage. During the field test, transplanting was conducted at a 40 mm planting depth, using different forward speed levels. Seedlings were freely supplied to the hopper from a distance of 80 mm, and the success rate for deposition was 96.79%. A forward speed of 300 mm/s with transplanting speed of 120 seedlings/min was preferable in terms of achieving a high degree of seedling uprightness (90 ± 3.26), a low rate of misplanting (8.19%), a low damage area on mulch film (2341.95 ± 2.89 mm2), high uniformity of planting depth (39.74 ± 0.48 mm), and low power consumption (40.91 ± 0.97 W).
Highlights
Transplanting and harvesting operations are most in demand during the cultivation process of pepper (Capsicum annuum L.), and they need to be mechanized for optimal efficiency [1]
The rotating speed of the dibbling mechanism depends on the forward speed of the planter and the desired planting interval
The free-falling height of the pepper seedlings was determined as 80 mm for appropriate dropping into the hopper
Summary
Transplanting and harvesting operations are most in demand during the cultivation process of pepper (Capsicum annuum L.), and they need to be mechanized for optimal efficiency [1]. In the cultivation of pepper, like in other vegetables, manual transplanting is the most time-consuming and labor-demanding task [2]. Manual transplanting requires about 40% of the total operational time with 184 person-hours/ha needed for cultivation, and the results are often a nonuniform spatial distribution of crops [3,4,5]. To meet the ever-growing global demand for pepper, the total production rate needs to be rapidly increased. An increased level of mechanization in the pepper transplantation process could help to accelerate the global production rate
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