Abstract

ASTUDILLO, Paul; PICHOASAMIN, Diego; YUGCHA, William  and  BENALCAZAR, Byron. Low-Cost semiautomatic prototype for seed planting in seedbeds. Novasinergia [online]. 2024, vol.7, n.1, pp.6-19.  Epub Jan 10, 2024. ISSN 2631-2654.  https://doi.org/10.37135/ns.01.13.01.

In Ecuador, agricultural production destined for consumption relies heavily on the cultivation and transplantation of seedlings obtained through a manual process involving the individual placement of seeds into nursery seedling cavities. This research focuses on designing a seed planter prototype for the semi-automatic placement of seeds, aiming to reduce the time dedicated to this activity in the agricultural process. The prototype, incorporating electrical, pneumatic, and mechanical components, demonstrates versatility in accommodating seeds ranging from four to ten mm. Optimal composition was determined through a deductive and exploratory approach. Trials confirmed that the prototype reduces manual planting time from five to three minutes, particularly in scenarios requiring continuous transplantation of large quantities of seedlings, representing a 40% reduction in time per seeded tray. Additionally, it is crucial to consider the associated cost, approximately eight hundred and ten dollars, positioning this proposal as a highly profitable investment. This outcome suggests significant benefits for the agricultural sector upon implementing this device in the planting process, especially for entrepreneurs and small-scale producers.

Keywords : Seedbeds; Germination; Seedlings; Seeds; Productivity.

        · abstract in Spanish     · text in Spanish     · Spanish ( pdf )