PARTS OF THE DRUM SEEDER:
1. The seed drum is hyperboloid shaped with a 200 mm diameter. There are eight seeding metering holes of 9 mm in diameter. Baffles are provided inside the seed drum between the seed holes to ensure a uniform seed rate in operation as well as to ensure hill dropping of the seeds. Each seed drum has two rows of planting, and four drums are assembled to form eight rows of planting in a single stretch.2. Wheels are provided at both ends. These wheels are made of plastic material to provide floating characteristics. The wheel diameter is 2 feet.3. One square shaft, a handle base, and a handle. Four seed drums are assembled together with the square shaft. The handle is meant to be pulled along.
PREPARATIONS:
1. Pudding should be well prepared and leveled.
2. Water should be drained out at least 24 hours before sowing to form a hard slurry pan of the puddled soil.
3. At the time of sowing, only paper-thin layers of water should be maintained in the puddled field.
4. Only just sprouted seeds packed in gunny bags should be used.
5. Water should be flooded into the puddled field once every three days after sowing and drain out immediately. This practice should continue for 12 days. Thereafter, depending upon the height of the seedlings, water should be allowed to stand in the field.
OPERATION PROCEDURE:
1. Assemble the paddy seeder and tighten all the bolts and nuts.
2. Fill the drums with pre-germinated seeds. Remember, only two-thirds of the drums are to be filled at a time.
3. Close the doors of the drums and lock them.
4. Pull the seeder manually at a normal walking speed (1 km/h) in the backward position as shown in the figure.
5. The wheel impression in the first pass will serve as a marker.
6. In the second pass, the wheel should pass on the same wheel impression as the previous pass to maintain the row-to-row spacing of 20 cm.
7. Continue the seeding operation.
8. Occasionally watch the dropping of the seeds through the holes of the seeder.
9. Refill the drums when they reach one-fourth capacity.
10. Continue the seeding operation. SALIENT FEATURES:
1. Labor costs are reduced drastically2. Uniformity in seed sowing and plant population.3. Continuous drilling of seeds is eliminated.4. Reduction in seed rate and thinning cost.5. The crop matures 7-10 days earlier than the transplanted paddy.6. Light in weight and easy to handle.7. An area of 1 hectare per day can be shown.
