Development and evaluation of an experimental machine for Variable Rate Application of granular fertilizers

The study dealt with the selection of various components to develop the Variable Rate Applicator (VRA) and evaluation of the machine. The machine was developed by using different components like Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) Raven Envizio Pro Controller, Hydraulic Motor and Zero Till Seed cum Fertilizer Drill, and then evaluated for its performance. The evaluation shown that the fertilizer rates varied from 25.53 to 237.93 kg/ha with the change in adjustment on E-Pro II controller from 1000 to 4000 with the corresponding change in hydraulic motor speed from 70 to 265 rpm respectively. The Coefficient of Variance (CV) calculated for different adjustment of E-Pro II controller showed that maximum CV was i.e. 11.35 % at 4000 adjustment or 260 rpm of hydraulic motor and minimum CV was i.e. 3.69 % at adjustment of 3500 or 236 rpm of hydraulic motor.