Manual Planting Research Articles

Effect of planting geometry and potato seed tuber size on weeds and potato tuber yield

A field experiment was conducted during winter (Rabi) seasons of 2014-15 and 2015-16 at Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, India to study the effect of potato planting geometry (50 × 15 cm, 65 × 11.5 cm, 70 × 10.7 cm and 75 × 10 cm) and seed tuber size (25-35 mm, 35-45 mm, 45-55 mm) on weed density and biomass, and tuber yield of potato. The potato canopy cover was higher and the weed density and biomass were lower with closer planting geometry of 50 × 15 cm followed by 65 × 11.5 cm. The growth attributes (number of stems/plant and leaf area index), tuber number and tuber yield were not significantly influenced by varying planting geometry. Potato seed tuber size exerted a significant effect on weed infestation resulting in significantly lower weed density and biomass with large sized seed tubers followed by medium sized seed tubers as compared to small sized seed tubers. Growth attributes, tuber number and tuber yield of potato were also significantly higher with large sized seed tubers followed by medium sized tubers compared to small sized tubers. Thus, the potato planting geometry of 50 × 15 cm for manual planting by small and marginal farmers and 65 × 15 cm for mechanized potato production along with medium sized seed tubers are the viable options for effective weed management and optimal potato tuber yield.

Development and Laboratory Evaluation of Picker Wheel type Metering Mechanism for Tuberose and Gladiolus Corms

Manual planting of Tuberose bulbs and Gladiolus corms is very tedious and labour intensive operation demanding for development of a suitable metering mechanism for planting of both the crops. Considering the need, a picker wheel type metering mechanism was developed and evaluated for planting of both the crops in linear soil bin for three levels of nominal spacing (15, 20 and 25 cm) and four levels of forward speed (1.5, 2.0, 2.5 and 3.0 km/h). The experimental results indicated highest Quality of Feed Index (QFI) as 91.5 and 91.6% at forward speed of 1.5 km/h for Tuberose bulbs and Gladiolus corms respectively. The quality of feed index, coefficient of uniformity and CP3 values decreased whereas missing index and precision values increased with respect to increase in forward speed of the metering unit for all the three nominal spacings. Maximum visible damage was observed at higher levels of forward speeds for lower nominal spacings. The overall performance of the metering unit was found satisfactory for higher nominal spacings and at lower levels of forward speed.

The legacy of traditional rice cultivation by descendants of Indian contract laborers in Suriname

BackgroundSome 35,000 indentured laborers from India were recruited to work on plantations in Suriname between 1868 and 1916. It is likely that most were familiar with farming before they were shipped to this former Dutch colony in the Caribbean. Around 1900, those who did not return received a piece of land where most of them started growing rice as a staple crop. Agronomists characterized their traditional landraces as inferior and infested with weedy rice and started to ‘purify’ these landraces. No research has been done on whether these ancient rice varieties still exist. We aimed to document the rice varieties (both landraces and more modern cultivars) grown currently or in the recent past by (descendants of) Hindustani smallholders in Suriname, their origin, morphological and agronomic characters, local uses and cultural and spiritual relevance. Given the rapid decline in small-scale rice cultivation in the past 40 years, we wanted to know why people continued or abandoned rice farming and what aspects of traditional practices still survived.MethodsWe interviewed 26 (former) small-scale Hindustani farmers and asked about the varieties they cultivated and traditional agricultural practices. We collected seed samples, local names and associated information, and compared these to information from agricultural reports from the colonial period. We also interviewed 11 Maroons, one Javanese farmer, and three persons of mixed ethnicity, who were somehow involved in the cultivation of East Indian rice varieties.Results and discussionHindustani smallholders in Suriname largely lost their traditional rice landraces. Most of the interviewed farmers grew modern cultivars, developed after 2000. Some cultivars from the 1950s were still planted for fodder, but these were heavily mixed with weedy rice and other weeds. Maroon farmers in the interior, however, still actively cultivated varieties with names like ‘coolie rice’, which probably descend from landraces introduced by the Indian contract laborers, although this needs to be confirmed by molecular research. Although traditional cultivation practices seem to have been lost, smallholders still retain pleasant memories of the manual planting, harvesting, and processing of rice, as well as the gender-based practices and beliefs associated with the cultivation of the crop. The oral history of former rice farmers and traditional rice varieties (possibly obtained from Maroon fields) could play a role in museum settings as living vehicles for memories of the descendants of Asian contract labourers in Suriname and Guyana.

A short review on studies on work productivity of mechanical tree planting

Reforestation can be carried out using natural regeneration or artificial regeneration. There are vari-ous methods for the artificial regeneration, including manual planting, mechanical planting and aerial/or ground seeding. This article aimed to review the current reports on the productivity of mechanical planting to provide a summary of productivity rates for the planting machines. According to the review’s results, mechanical planting productivity may vary from 143 to 475 seedlings per productive machine hours depending on the machine type, environment (such as surfaces obstacles and stoniness) and the operator experience. Employing skilled operators and selecting suitable worksites can help increasing the work productivity. Integrating and optimising the whole planting chain, from the nursery to the plant-ing phase, can assist also with reducing the cost and improving the productivity. As mechanical planting machines get more widely adopted in different countries, their overall efficiency will improve over time.

The complex of machines for low-cost artificial reforestation in the taiga zone

Problems of mechanization of artificial reforestation in the taiga zone are increasing the productivity of manual labour and reducing the costs of subsequent young stand treatment (early tending and early pre-commercial thinning). Petrozavodsk State University has developed the complex of machines and technologies capable to solve these problems. This complex includes: seeder, root-cutter, dynamic hole-maker and mechanical mounder. Seeder and root-cutter are intended for growing enlarged seedlings with an open root system in forest nurseries. Seeder provides mechanization of sowing seeds. Root-cutter is used for pruning the root systems of seedlings during cultivation. Dynamic hole-maker provides strip soil clearing, surface tillage and preparation of holes for manual planting of seedlings. The hole-maker is also capable to make soil scarification and sowing forest seeds. Mechanical mounder provides strip clearing in the forest plot and creation of humus mounds with mineral soil cover for manual planting of seedlings. Basic technological parameters of the complex of machines have been also substantiated at the Petrozavodsk State University.

Sugar Beet (Beta vulgaris) Production as Affected by Tillage Systems, Planting Methods and Irrigation Intervals in Guneid area (Sudan)

The present research was carried out at Guneid Sugar Cane Research Center during two successive seasons 2013/14 and 2014/15. The objective was to investigate the effect of four tillage systems (moldboard ploughing (T1), disc ploughing (T2), chisel ploughing (T3) and disc harrowing (T4)), three irrigation intervals (7, 10, and 14 days) and twoplanting methods (manual and mechanical) on sugar beet production. The parameters measured were machinery performance as effective field capacity (EFC), field efficiency (FE) and Fuel consumption (FC), some soil parameters (soil moisture content and bulk density), some crop parameters (root thickness (RT), crop root yield (RY), polarization or sugar content (Pol %), total sugar production (TSP) and cost of production. A spilt -split plot design with four replications was used inthis study. The results showed that all machine performance parameters measured were significantly different and the highest EFC, FE and FC were recorded by the planter, ridger and chisel machines respectively.Tillage treatments and irrigation intervals interaction insignificantly affected soil moisture content and significantly (P≤0.01) affected soil bulk density. The highest values of RT (38.6 cm), RY (31.9 t/fed), Pol % (19.9%) and TSP (4.9 t/fed) was recorded by (T3×M2×I1), (T2×M1×I2), (T4×M2×I3) and (T2×M1×I1) treatments respectively. The highest (4280 SDG/fed) and lowest (3290 SDG/fed) total cost of production was recorded by (T1×M1×I1) and (T4×M2×I4) treatments respectively. It can be concluded that generally disc ploughing with 10 days irrigation intervaland manual planting can give higher crop root yield, higher TSP and lower cost of production at Guneid Sugar Cane Research Center

UAV-Supported Forest Regeneration: Current Trends, Challenges and Implications

Replanting trees helps with avoiding desertification, reducing the chances of soil erosion and flooding, minimizing the risks of zoonotic disease outbreaks, and providing ecosystem services and livelihood to the indigenous people, in addition to sequestering carbon dioxide for mitigating climate change. Consequently, it is important to explore new methods and technologies that are aiming to upscale and fast-track afforestation and reforestation (A/R) endeavors, given that many of the current tree planting strategies are not cost effective over large landscapes, and suffer from constraints associated with time, energy, manpower, and nursery-based seedling production. UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle)-supported seed sowing (UAVsSS) can promote rapid A/R in a safe, cost-effective, fast and environmentally friendly manner, if performed correctly, even in otherwise unsafe and/or inaccessible terrains, supplementing the overall manual planting efforts globally. In this study, we reviewed the recent literature on UAVsSS, to analyze the current status of the technology. Primary UAVsSS applications were found to be in areas of post-wildfire reforestation, mangrove restoration, forest restoration after degradation, weed eradication, and desert greening. Nonetheless, low survival rates of the seeds, future forest diversity, weather limitations, financial constraints, and seed-firing accuracy concerns were determined as major challenges to operationalization. Based on our literature survey and qualitative analysis, twelve recommendations—ranging from the need for publishing germination results to linking UAVsSS operations with carbon offset markets—are provided for the advancement of UAVsSS applications.

The Growth and productivity enhancement of rice by jajar legowo (double row) planting method in freshwater swampland

One of the technological innovations to increase rice productivity is the Jajar Legowo (double row) planting method. The research aimed to examine the technology of planting Jajar Legowo rice in two ways: manual and transplanter machines in freshwater rice fields. The research was conducted on 6 ha of freshwater rice fields in Martapura Barat, Banjar Regency and involved six cooperator farmers. The superior varieties used were Inpari-30 and Inpari-32. The results show that the average grain yield was higher with transplanter (8.10 t ha−1 GKP), compared to manual planting (6.90 t ha−1). Grain yields planted with transplanter + manure increased grain yields by 1.2 t ha−1 (increased by 17.4%). The transplanter treatment provided an income of IDR20,401,500.- and R C−1 = 2.70 higher than manual row planting (income IDR16,959,500.- R C−1 = 2.59). Transplanters also reduce labour costs for planting (IDR750, 000.- per hectare), and reduce planting times.

Выращивание культур ели с применением современных гербицидов, не требующее проведения агротехнических уходов

Uncontrolled development of unfavorable vegetation during artificial reforestation reduces survival and growth rates of planted trees, and in some cases causes their death. The use of reforestation equipment is often extremely difficult, therefore the most promising solutions are those involving creation of spruce plantations using seedlings with closed roots and manual planting tools without preliminary mechanical tillage. Long-term protection of plantations from undesirable vegetation is ensured by the use of modern herbicides registered for use in the forest sector in the Russian Federation. The article presents the results of 3-year field experiments on the use of herbicides and their mixtures to supress undesirable vegetation in the first years after planting European spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) in the Leningrad region. High efficiency of herbicides for long-term suppression of shrubs, and herbaceous and woody plants was found. A mixture of herbicides Roundup, WS (360 g/L glyphosate acid), Anchor-85, WDG (750 g/kg sulfometuron-methyl potassium salt) and Arsenal, WC (250 g/L imazapyr) inhibited the development of herbaceous weeds for at least two growing seasons. The processes of undesirable vegetation development after spraying plantations with herbicides, the reaction of seedlings to the use of chemicals, indicators of conditions and growth of conifers were also studied. Analysis of the obtained data proved the possibility of combining a protective chemical pretreatment with herbicides and planting seedlings in a single technological procedure or planting seedlings within a few months after chemical treatment, which significantly reduces the risk of damage to seedlings by herbicides. The survival rate of plantations created by planting one- or two-year-old seedlings with closed roots was 93–98 %; and the biometric indicators were such that spruce plants could successfully compete with undesirable vegetation. The application of the developed method ensures a substantial reduction in labor and other reforestation costs compared to traditional technologies involving preliminary mechanical tillage and subsequent agrotechnical weeding of plantations. For citation: Egorov A.B., Postnikov A.M., Bubnov A.A., Pavluchenkova L.N., Partolina A.N. Cultivation of Spruce Plantations Using Modern Herbicides without Agrotechnical Weeding. Lesnoy Zhurnal [Russian Forestry Journal], 2021, no. 3, pp. 9–23. DOI: 10.37482/0536-1036-2021-3-9-23

Contribution of agricultural machinery to achieve food sovereignty in Yogyakarta special region

Optimization and dissemination of the use of agricultural machinery to achieve food sovereignty in Yogyakarta are carried out through a direct assistance program through demonstration plots to farmer groups at three districts from 2017 to 2019. Planting and harvesting with machine were assessed in both technical and economic aspects. Regarding technical aspect, jarwo transplanter and combine harvester are suitable to be developed optimally in an irrigated rice fields that has a soil depth of less than 30 cm. Concerning economic aspect, jarwo transplanter saves labor and speeds up planting time, while combined harvester saves harvesting labor, post-harvest handling and accelerates harvesting process. Rice planting using jarwo transplanter requires 2 labors for planting rice in 7 hours covering a 1-hectare area. It is much more efficient than manual planting which requires 12 labors in 2 days for planting 1 hectares. Combine harvester reduced labor, as 2 people in 6 hours for harvesting 1 hectare of rice, compared to manual harvest which requires the 10 labors in 10 hours for 1 hectare. With labor and time efficiency, the agricultural machine was suggested to support synchronous cropping and harvesting of irrigated rice fields which in the end contributes to food sovereignty achievement.

Studies on engineering properties of multiplier onion

The knowledge of physical and mechanical properties of onion bulb is important for successful design of any planter. Multiplier onion is propagated through bulbs and bulbs are planted manually. Manual planting of onion bulb is highly labour intensive (80-100 man-days ha-1) due to the close plant geometry (plant to plant and row to row spacing is 10 × 15 cm) among the vegetable crops. Engineering properties of multiplier onion were determined in order to design and develop a tractor operated raised bed onion bulb planter. In multiplier onion each onion comprises of 4-5 bulbs. These bulbs were cleaned, separated into single bulbs and divided in to 9 categories manually based on their individual weight viz., <2g, 2-3 g, 3-4 g, 4-5 g, 5-6 g, 6-7 g, 7-8 g, 8-9 g, >9 g. The onion bulb had a moisture content of 80.62±0.87 %. It was observed that the properties varied for different sizes of onion grades and the grades had highly significant effect on most of the properties. The linear dimensions of onion bulbs viz., length, width, thickness for nine grades ranged from 21.21±2.60 to 32.31±3.30 mm, 13.54±1.77 to 30.95±2.91 mm and 10.91±1.40 to 22.63±2.15 mm. The geometric mean diameter, sphericity, shape index and projected area all ranged from 28.22±2.04 to 14.54±0.96 mm, 0.87±0.06 to 0.69±0.08, 1.78±0.32 to 1.22±0.14 and 5.50±0.51 to 1.55±0.30 cm2, respectively. The one hundred onion bulb weight, bulk density, true density were in the range of 1185±19.59 to 121.6±6.30 g, 793.20± 9.45 to 480.19±13.13 kg.m-3, 1086± 205.22 to 1013.6±348.85 kg.m-3, respectively. The angle of repose decreased with increase in size of onion bulbs. The interaction between sphericity, shape index and angle of repose indicated that as the size of the onion size increase angle of repose decreased.

Automated seed sowing machine: A review

In the farming process, often used conventional seeding operation takes more time and more labor. The seed feed rate is more but the time required for the total operation is more and the total cost is increased due to labor, hiring of equipment. The conventional seed sowing machine is less efficient, time consuming. Today's era is marching towards the rapid growth of all sectors including the agricultural sector. To meet the future food demands, the farmers have to implement the new techniques which will not affect the soil texture but will increase the overall crop production. In the farming process, often used conventional seeding operation takes more time and more labor. The seed feed rate is more but the time required for the total operation is also more and the total cost is increased due to labor, hiring of equipment. This machine reduces the efforts and total cost of sowing the seeds and fertilizer placement. Sowing machine should be suitable to all farms, all types of corps, robust construction, also it should be reliable, this is basic requirement of sowing machine. Thus we made sowing machine which is operated manually but reduces the efforts of farmers thus increasing the efficiency of planting also reduces the problem encountered in manual planting. For this machine we can plant different types and different sizes of seeds also we can vary the space between two seeds while planting. This also increased the planting efficiency and accuracy. We made it from raw materials thus it was so cheap and very usable for small scale farmers. For effective handling of the machine by any farmer or by any untrained worker we simplified its design. Also its adjusting and maintenance method also simplified.

Alternate Crop Establishment Methods for Water-Saving and High Rice Productivity in North Coastal Andhra Pradesh

A field study was carried for two consecutive kharif and rabi seasons of 2013-14 and 2014-15 on farmer’s fields across 15 locations each year during kharif and 9 locations each year - during rabi in Srikakulam district, Andhra Pradesh. We tested five crop establishment methods viz., dry direct sowing using fertilizer-cum seed drill under irrigated conditions, drum seeding, systems of rice intensification (SRI), mechanized transplanting using rice 8 row yanmar transplanter, and manual transplanting. Study findings revealed that transplanting with rice planter emerged as high yielding method of establishment where the grain yield was higher by 9.21% over manual transplanting. Dry direct sowing was found to be highly profitable method of rice establishment by recording higher net returns Rs. 12596/ha compared to manual planting. Dry direct sowing and SRI proved as water productive rice establishment methods which took lesser water by 22.45% and 18.78% compared to manual transplanting during kharif. Whereas during rabi, drum seeding proved as profitable and water saving method of crop establishment in rice.

Postural Risk in Manual Planting Operations of Poplar: Two Options Compared

Poplar forests are cultivated worldwide on extended areas, contributing to the provision of wood for industries. Their management is intensive, especially in planting operations which are done, in many parts of the world, by the use of manual labor. This situation raises the question on their sustainability from an ergonomics point of view. Particularly, the postural risk is in question, as uncomfortable work postures may cause musculo-skeletal disorders. Two types of planting operations (large cutting—CP and bare-root seedling—SP) were selected as representatives for the evaluation of postural risks which was carried out for 14 subjects. Based on the analysis of approximately 14,500 images (approximately 67 h of field study), the postural risk indexes were estimated at 259 and 250 for the CP and SP, respectively. No significant differences were found between the operations, but the high share of effective planting tasks and their associated postural risk indexes generated these concerning results. The main conclusion is that these kinds of planting operations need postural improvement and ways for doing so should be researched in the future.

Diagnóstico das técnicas de produção e armazenamento de sementes crioulas em assentamentos rurais de Aparecida, Paraíba, Brasil

Produzir e armazenar sementes crioulas é uma prática adotada por muitas famílias de agricultores que permite ganhos socioambientais e mantêm a identidade cultural das comunidades rurais tradicionais. Objetivou-se com este trabalho avaliar a formas de produção e de armazenamento das sementes crioulas por famílias agricultoras residentes em assentamentos rurais da reforma agrária em Aparecida – PB. A pesquisa teve caráter quantiqualitativo, utilizando-se como instrumento para coleta de dados um questionário semiestruturado a respeito do perfil social dos agricultores, das técnicas de produção e armazenamento de sementes além de uma listagem das sementes comumente utilizadas. Com base nos dados observados pode-se evidenciar a importância socioambiental da manutenção das sementes crioulas pelos agricultores. Constatou-se, também, que as formas de produção são de caráter agroecológico em sistemas manual de semeadura e consorciado de plantio. O preparo das sementes é do tipo artesanal e consiste na seleção visual das sementes, seguidas de secagem ao ar livre e posterior armazenamento em garrafas PET’s recicladas.

Development and Testing of a Power Tiller Operated Single Row Potato Planter with Bucket Elevator type Metering Mechanism

A study was undertaken for the design and development of a power tiller operated singlerow potato planter with bucket elevator type metering mechanism. The potato planter consisted of seed hopper, bucket elevator type metering mechanism, seed pipe, furrow opener, plate type ridge former, depth control wheels, ground drive wheel, and chain drive for power transmission to the bucket elevator mechanism. Two depth control wheels were provided for maintaining an optimum depth of sowing. The developed machine performed satisfactorily for sowing potato seeds with a mean seed spacing of 173 mm at a depth of 222 mm from the ridge top surface. The mean ridge height and width was 122 mm and 360 mm, respectively. The field capacity (fc) and field efficiency (fe) of the machine was 0.074 ha.h-1 and 65 %, respectively. Fuel consumption of the driving power tiller (9.7 kW) was 0.84 l.h-1 (11.39 l.ha-1) during field operation. The operational cost of machine planting with the potato planter was ` 2,307 per ha as against ` 16,500 per ha for manual planting using spade; thereby providing a saving of 86 % in planting cost.

Development and Testing of a Power Tiller Operated Single Row Potato Planter with Bucket Elevator type Metering Mechanism

A study was undertaken for the design and development of a power tiller operated singlerow potato planter with bucket elevator type metering mechanism. The potato planter consisted of seed hopper, bucket elevator type metering mechanism, seed pipe, furrow opener, plate type ridge former, depth control wheels, ground drive wheel, and chain drive for power transmission to the bucket elevator mechanism. Two depth control wheels were provided for maintaining an optimum depth of sowing. The developed machine performed satisfactorily for sowing potato seeds with a mean seed spacing of 173 mm at a depth of 222 mm from the ridge top surface. The mean ridge height and width was 122 mm and 360 mm, respectively. The field capacity (fc) and field efficiency (fe) of the machine was 0.074 ha.h-1 and 65 %, respectively. Fuel consumption of the driving power tiller (9.7 kW) was 0.84 l.h-1 (11.39 l.ha-1) during field operation. The operational cost of machine planting with the potato planter was ` 2,307 per ha as against ` 16,500 per ha for manual planting using spade; thereby providing a saving of 86 % in planting cost.

Development of Three Row Self-Propelled Zero till Direct Seeded Rice Planter Cum Fertilizer Applicator

The agricultural operational holding in India is about 1.15 ha and 85.01 per cent belongs to marginal holdings (below 2 ha). This data shows an economic condition of the Indian farmer, which doesn’t allow him to adopt advanced agricultural machineries. Considering the situation of Indian farmer, we developed a prototype of three row self-propelled zero till direct seeded rice planter cum fertilizer applicator. This machine helps to plant a dry rice seed along with the fertilizer application with zero tillage condition. The machine includes inclined plate metering mechanism for seed; cup feed metering mechanism for fertilizer, seed cum fertilizer hopper, ground wheel, depth control wheels, inverted T furrow openers, 5 hp engine as a prime mover, power transmission system, adjustable handle, lever and rigid main frame to support all the parts and drive wheels. Machine is divided into two parts viz., prime mover part and planter cum fertilizer applicator part. Both parts can be separated from each other. The machine places the rice seed up to average depth of 25-40 mm and spacing between hills is observed to be 130-160 mm along with an average 20 cm of row spacing. The average field capacity at an average speed of 2.3 km.h-1 is observed to be 0.115 ha.h-1 for operating rice seeds. The field efficiency is observed to be 86.9 per cent. The operational cost is observed to be around 69.28 per cent less than the manual planting of rice seedling and also the man hour’s requirement is very less than the manual planting.

The transplanter tools for small paddy fields: System of Rice Intensification (SRI) compliance

The objectives of the research are to develop manual planting tools compliance with System of Rice Intensification cultivation guideline for small fields and improve SRI farmers working posture. Several problems were recognised to assist in developing design requirement. A current product called Planting Tools is identified as a base product to reverse engineering so it can plant a single young rice seedling in each planting point. Findings: a simple planting tool with smaller size compare to the current product is developed. It consists of several components that can be divided by four main functions which are the hopper, vertical tube, penetrator and handle. The hopper is where the rice seedling is placed. The seedling will fall by gravity through the vertical tube and positioned inside the penetrator. The operator needs to position the penetrator to a specific point. The seedlings will be planted less than 10mm from tops soil upon pressing the lever which connected to linkages. Therefore, a study of the penetrator strength in the static analysis was performed by using finite-element modelling technique.

Design, development and performance evaluation of manual planter for system of wheat intensification

System of wheat intensification (SWI), a new planting method, has shown promising results. Manual planting in SWI is cumbersome, labored and time-consuming. Hence, a manually operated planter for SWI was designed and developed at ICAR-IARI, New Delhi, for precise planting of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) seed. Field experiment was conducted to optimize design parameters i.e. plant spacing, number of seed/hill, treated/untreated and result was compared for conventional wheat cultivation with and without SWI management during winter season of 2015-16. The estimated labour requirements for manual planting under SWI method was 4–5 times more than the traditional drilling of wheat. The bulk density, true density, 1,000 seed weight, max. and min. dimensions and sphericity of the wheat seed were computed as 768 kg/m3, 1376 kg/m3, 39.9 g, 6.0 and 2.6 mm and 3.7, respectively. Based on these physical properties of wheat seed, a vertical cell type metering unit for single-row SWI planter was designed and fabricated. The metering unit of the planter was evaluated on a sticky belt at different speeds for distribution uniformity of seed per hill. It dropped 2-seeds per hill for 56% hills (points), 3 and 1 seeds per hill in 20% hills and missed-out seeds for 4–5% hills. The developed SWI planter was evaluated at IARI-Agronomy research field and its performance was compared with manual sowing and manual SWI planting. Number of hills germinated was found to be 22–24/m2. The distribution of plant per hill was found 69% double, 23% single, 5% triple and 3% nil. Overall, germination of seed, plant growth and yield were significantly better (> 25% higher) in the plots sown by SWI planter compared to conventional wheat sowing.