DEVELOPMENT AND TESTING OF A CENTRIFUGAL FERTILIZER APPLICATOR

Abstract

A centrifugal fertilizer applicator which makes use of centrifugal force to broadcast fertilizer on the farm with an effective capacity of 90 hectares day was developed and tested in Daslabeng Consparty Nigeria Limited Bida, Nigeria This work was done in order to alleviate the drudgeries encountered with the manual method of fertilizer broadcasting using hand and also eliminate the problems of sudden breakdown and high cost of imported fertilizer broadcasters The major components of the machine include the hopper, agitator, spreader disc, feed control mechanism 3-point hitch to the tractor, power transmission mir and the frame. Successful completion of the machine would help increase crop production in Nigeria. The device was fabricated with locally sourced materials ar are no difficult to get. This makes maintenance and repairs on the device easy by local artisans since damaged parts can be easily repaired and if possible replaced with new parts. The fabricated spreader was tested over a hectare of land af four different ground speeds of $. 10. 15 and 20 kuhr with a view of ascertaining the time taken, effective capacity and distribution patterriformity over one hectare of land Test results indicate that ar 5, 10, 15 zad km/hr ground speeds, the time taken to cover one hectare was 16. & 53 and 4 miles respectively while ne corresponding Effective capacities in halır are 3.75, 7.50, 1/35 and 15.00 respectively. Using the tray collection and test tube method ar 15 optimum ground speed and an effective swath width of 10 w, she fertilizer distrition went and unifant showing an oval spread pattern. Also visual inspection of the planted seeds after germination showed a miform plant greuth confirming that the fertilizer was evenly spread on the field