Development of a manually operated fertilizer applicator with precision metering mechanism for enhanced crop growth and sustainable agriculture

Abstract

Fertilizer application plays a crucial role in supporting plant growth. Excessive application of fertilizers leads to deterioration of plant health and leads to soil degradation and nutrient imbalances. Conversely, inadequate fertilizer application can result in diminished crop yields and nutrient deficiencies. Previous studies have shown that imbalanced fertilizer application has vast consequences on both plants’ health and Environment. To address these challenges a manually operated fertilizer applicator was developed at Vaugh Institute of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, SHUATS, Prayagraj. The fertilizer applicator was equipped with fluted metering mechanism comprising two fluted rollers controlled by a crank, thus enabling precise fertilizer dispensing at three distinct rates of full, half and quarter. The metering mechanism is attached to hopper with a capacity to hold 25 kg of fertilizers, a chain drive mechanism, a ground wheel and two auxiliary support wheels, and a handle designed using anthropometric measurements. Two fertilizer delivery tubes with spacing of 20 cm is attached to the fluted rollers, which is suitable for crops such as foxtail millet. The fertilizer applicator has been calibrated to distribute urea fertilizer at specified rates of 40kg/ha with crank fully open, 30kg/ha of with crank half open and 20 kg/ha of urea with crank quarterly open. When tested at Crop Research Farm, SHUATS the applicator has shown 97.5% of efficiency for fully open crank. The fertilizer applicator was developed at a price of 5000 rupees which is suitable for small scale farmers.