Korean Journal of Agricultural Science (Korean J. Agric. Sci.; KJOAS)
Indexed in KCI (Korea Citation Index), Open Access, Peer Reviewed.
pISSN 2466-2402
eISSN 2466-2410

Vegetable transplanters and kinematic analysis of major mechanisms: a review

CONTENTS

ENGINEERING

Habineza E, Ali M, Reza MN, Woo JK, Chung SO, Hou Y. Vegetable transplanters and kinematic analysis of major mechanisms: a review. Korean Journal of Agricultural Science 50:113-129.

Korean Journal of Agricultural Science (Korean J. Agric. Sci.) 2023 March, Volume 50, Issue 1, pages 113-129. https://doi.org/10.7744/kjoas.20230007

Received on 29 December 2022, Revised on 29 December 2022, Accepted on 21 February 2023, Published on 30 March 2023.

Vegetable transplanters and kinematic analysis of major mechanisms: a review

Eliezel Habineza1, Mohammod Ali2, Md Nasim Reza1,2, Jea-Keun Woo3, Sun-Ok Chung1,2,*,†, Yaxiu Hou4,*,†

1Department of Smart Agricultural Systems, Graduate School, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Korea

2Department of Agricultural Machinery Engineering, Graduate School, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Korea

3National Institute of Agricultural Science, Rural Development Administration, Jeonju 54875, Korea

4College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China

These authors equally contributed to this study as corresponding author.

*Corresponding authors: sochung@cnu.ac.kr, 452739945@qq.com

Abstract

Seedling transplanting is an essential step in vegetable cultivation. Although vegetable transplanting can be automated and mechanized, mostly is still performed manually, which is laborious, time-consuming, and inefficient. The objective of this study was to conduct a review of the existing vegetable transplanters used for seedling transplanting, and of kinematic analyses of their major mechanisms. Generally, vegetable transplanters are classified into three main categories: handheld, semi-automated, and fully automated. Researchers described mechanisms involved in the overall transplanting process, which included seedling picking from the nursery tray, conveyance to the planting unit, and planting in the soil. The main mechanisms involved are picking and dibbling, which both include bar-based and gear-based mechanisms. For successful seedling transplanting, analytical techniques, CAD systems, and computer methods are used to evaluate the operating characteristics of transplanter components, and to determine the number of link bars and gears required to achieve the appropriate seedling transplanting trajectory. The effective field efficiency and transplanting efficiency of transplanters were evaluated based on seedling pick-up, feeding, planting rates, and operational speed. Recent studies reported that seedling transplanting methods using clamp-type and sliding-type picking mechanisms with 4 and 5-bar-based linkages, and 1 to 2 degrees of freedom, were effective at holding and releasing seedlings without damaging them. In addition, gear-driven rotating dibbling mechanisms were recommended for their capacity to plant 45 seedlings per minute at a sufficient rate. Scientific trends highlight the performance capabilities of each type of transplanter, which could guide the manufacturers to enhance vegetable-transplanter designs.

Keywords

agricultural machinery, kinematic analysis, picking mechanism, transplanting mechanism, vegetable transplanter

References

Abdulai K. 2020. Development and evaluation of a semi-automatic pepper seedling transplanter. Master’s dissertation, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana.

Barthlott W, Mutke J, Rafiqpoor D, Kier G, Kreft H. 2005. Global centers of vascular plant diversity. Nova Acta Leopoldina 342:61-83.

Bhatt R, Kukal SS, Busari MA, Arora S, Yadav M. 2016. Sustainability issues on rice-wheat cropping system. Journal of International Soil and Water Conservation Research 4:64-74.

Brewer HL. 1997. Increasing planting rates of gravity-fed field seedling transplanters. Journal of Vegetable Crop Production 3:3-19.

Chen Y, Michalak M, Agellon LB. 2018. Importance of nutrients and nutrient metabolism on human health. Yale Journal of Biology and Medicine 91:95-103.

Choi WC, Kim DC, Ryu IH, Kim KU. 2002. Development of a seedling pick-up device for vegetable transplanters. American Society of Agricultural Engineers 45:13-19.

Chuan HY, Xian FF, Xin J, Zhong JL, Jun L, Yu HG. 2014. Motion analysis for vegetable potted seedling pick-up mechanism with double crank geared linkages. Applied Mechanics and Materials 529:218-223.

Da QY, Jin WY, Yubn Z. 2014. Automatic corn potted-seedling transplanter of cycloid gear trains. Applied Mechanics and Materials 530:960-966.

Diao X, Silver J, Takeshima H, Silver J. 2016. Agricultural mechanization and agricultural transformation. IFPRI Discussion Paper 01527. African Transformation Report 1-56.

Dihingia PC, Kumar GVP, Sarma PK. 2016. Development of a hopper-type planting device for a walk-behind hand-tractor-powered vegetable transplanter. Journal of Biosystems Engineering 41:21-33.

Dongmei P, Fanjun M, HaiLong W. 2016. Research progress of visual inspection of tray seedling and the system of automatic transplanting. International Journal of Multimedia and Ubiquitous Engineering 11:57-68.

Food W. 2021. World food and agriculture statistical yearbook 2021. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome, Italy.

Han C, Hu X, Zhang J, You J, Li H. 2021. Design and testing of the mechanical picking function of a high-speed seedling auto-transplanter. Artificial Intelligence in Agriculture 5:64-71.

Han LH, Mao HP, Hu JP, Kumi F. 2019. Development of a riding-type fully automatic transplanter for vegetable plug seedlings. Spanish Journal of Agricultural Research 17:15358.

Han L, Mao H, Hu J, Tian K. 2015. Development of a doorframe-typed swinging seedling pick-up device for automatic field transplantation. Spanish Journal of Agricultural Research 13:e0210.

Herrison RD, Herrison PB, Zuhoski J. 1988. Computer-operated automatic seedling plant transplanting machine. US Patent No. US4947579A 19.

Hu J, Yan X, Ma J, Qi C, Francis K, Mao H. 2014. Dimensional synthesis and kinematics simulation of a high-speed plug seedling transplanting robot. Computers and Electronics in Agriculture 107:64-72.

Hwang SJ, Park JH, Lee JY, Shim SB, Nam JS. 2020. Optimization of main link lengths of transplanting device of semi-automatic vegetable transplanter. Agronomy 10:1938.

Iqbal MZ, Islam MN, Ali M, Kabir MSN, Park T, Kang TG, Park KS, Chung SO. 2021. Kinematic analysis of a hopper-type dibbling mechanism for a 2.6 kW two-row pepper transplanter. Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology 35:2605-2614.

Islam MN, Iqbal MZ, Ali M, Chowdhury M, Kabir MSN, Park T, Kim YJ, Chung SO. 2020. Kinematic analysis of a clamp-type picking device for an automatic pepper transplanter. Agriculture 10:1-18.

Jiang Z, Hu Y, Jiang H, Tong J. 2017. Design and force analysis of end-effector for seedling transplanter. PLoS One 12:e0180229.

Jin X, Cheng Q, Zhang B, Ji J, Li M. 2020. Design and test of 2ZYM-2 potted vegetable seedlings transplanting machine. International Journal of Agricultural and Biological Engineering 13:101-110.

Jin X, Li SJ, Yang XJ, Wu JM, Liu ZJ, Liu HK. 2013. Developments in research on seedling auto-picking device of vegetable transplanter. Applied Mechanics and Materials 364:375-379.

Kaushik P, Manohar VN, Niranjan B, Purushotham S. 2020. Design and fabrication of manually operated paper pot plant transplanting machine. International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology 7:5834-5840.

Khadatkar A, Mathur SM. 2022. Design and development of an automatic vegetable transplanter using a novel rotating finger device with push-type mechanism for plug seedlings. International Journal of Vegetable Science 28:121-131.

Khadatkar A, Mathur SM, Dubey K, BhusanaBabu V. 2021. Development of embedded automatic transplanting system in seedling transplanters for precision agriculture. Journal of Artificial Intelligence in agriculture 5:175-184.

Khadatkar A, Mathur SM, Gaikwad BB. 2018. Automation in transplanting: A smart way of vegetable cultivation. Current Science 115:1884-1892.

Khadatkar A, Mathur SM, Gaikwad BB, Pandirwar A, Shrinivas DJ. 2020. Biometric properties of vegetable plug seedlings used in design of vegetable transplanter. Journal of Agricultural Engineering 57:16-24.

Kim JY, Park SH, Jo SC, Choi DK, Kim CG, Kwak TY. 2004. Motion analysis for wheel type of transplanting device. Proceedings of the Korean Society of the Agricultural machinery 43:145-149.

Kumar GVP, Rahman H. 2008. Vegetable transplanters for use in developing countries a review. International Journal of Vegetable Science 14:232-255.

Kumar GVP, Rahman H. 2011. Development of a walk-behind type hand tractor-powered vegetable transplanter for paper pot seedlings. Biosystems Engineering 110:189-197.

Lee PU, So JH, Nam YS, Choi CH, Noh HS, Shim JY, Hong SJ. 2018. Power analysis of electric transplanter by planting distances. Korean Journal of Agricultural Science 45:290-297. [in Korean]

MAFRA (Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs). 2023. The percentage of mechanized upland farming in South Korea from 2012 to 2021. Accessed in https://www.statista.com/statistics/650866/south-korea-upland-farm-mechanization/ on 10 January 2023.

Mao H, Han L, Hu J, Kumi F. 2014. Development of a pincette-type pick-up device for automatic Transplanting of greenhouse seedlings. Applied Engineering in Agriculture 30:547-556.

Mengmeng W, Jiannong S, Cailing L, Yali W, Yapeng S. 2015. Design and experiment of crank rocker type clamp seedlings mechanism of vegetable transplanter. Transactions of the Chinese Society of Agricultural Engineering 31:49-57.

Min YB, Kang JK, Ryu CS. 2015. Development onion transplanter: analysis of a transplanting locus on the type of transplanting devices for a vegetable transplanter. Journal of Agriculture and Life Science 49:213-224.

Munilla RD, Shaw LN. 1987. A high-speed dibbling transplanter. Transactions of the American Society of Agricultural Engineers 30:904-908.

Nieuwsbericht. 2021. Overview vegetable horticulture in South Korea accessed in http://www.agroberichtenbuitenland.nl on 15 October 2022.

Olatunji TL, Afolayan AJ. 2018. The suitability of chili pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) for alleviating human micronutrient dietary deficiencies: A review. Food Science and Nutrition 6:2239-2251.

Pandey M. 2006. Present status and future requirement of farm equipment for crop production. Made Avail by Central Institute of Agricultural 95:69-113.

Park SH, Cho SC, Kim JY, Choi DK, Kim CK, Kwak TY. 2005. Development of rotary type transplanting device for vegetable transplanter. Journal of Biosystems Engineering 30:135-140.

Pérez-Ruiz M, Slaughter DC. 2021. Development of a precision 3-row synchronised transplanter. Biosystems Engineering 206:67-78.

Rahul K, Raheman H, Paradkar V. 2019. Design and development of a 5R 2DOF parallel robot arm for handling paper pot seedlings in a vegetable transplanter. Computers and Electronics in Agriculture 166:105014.

Rasool K, Ali M, Jang B. 2020. Onion transplanting mechanisms: A review. Precision Agriculture Science and Technology 2:195-208.

Raza K, Khan TA, Abbas N. 2018. Kinematic analysis and geometrical improvement of an industrial robotic arm. Journal of King Saud University-Engineering Sciences 30:218-223.

Reza MN, Islam MN, Chowdhury M, Ali M, Islam S, Kiraga S, Lim SJ, Choi IS, Chung SO. 2021. Kinematic analysis of a gear-driven rotary planting mechanism for a six-row self-propelled onion transplanter. Machines 9:183.

Russo VM. 2012. Peppers-botany, production, and uses. USDA/ARS Wes Watkins agricultural research laboratory, Lane, Oklahoma, USA.

Sharma A, Khar S. 2022. Current developments in vegetable transplanters in developing countries: A comprehensive review. International Journal of Vegetable Science 28:417-440.

Simonton W. 1991. Robotic end effector for handling greenhouse plant material. Transactions of the ASAE 34:2615-2621.

Sri M, Hwang SJ, Nam JS. 2022. Experimental safety analysis of transplanting device of the cam-type semi-automatic vegetable transplanter. Journal of Terramechanics 103:19-32.

Sun L, Mao S, Zhao Y, Liu X, Zhang G, Du X. 2016. Kinematic analysis of rotary transplanting mechanism for wide-narrow row pot seedlings. Transactions of the ASABE 59:475-485.

Ting KC. 1990. Robot workcell for transplanting of seedlings. Transactions of the ASABE 33:339-399.

Tong Z, Yu G, Zhao X, Liu P, Ye B. 2020. Design of vegetable pot seedling pick-up mechanism with planetary gear train. Chinese Journal of Mechanical Engineering 33:63-73.

Ülger TG, Songur AN, Çırak O, Çakıroğlu FP. 2018. Role of vegetables in human nutrition and disease prevention. Vegetables-Importance of Quality Vegetables to Human Health 11:1745-1748.

Wen Y, Zhang J, Tian J, Duan D, Zhang Y, Tan Y, Yuan T, Li X. 2021. Design of a traction double-row fully automatic transplanter for vegetable plug seedlings. Computers and Electronics in Agriculture 182:106017.

Xin J, Kaixuan Z, Jiangtao J, Hao M, Jing P, Zhaomei Q. 2019. Design and experiment of automatic transplanting device for potted tomato seedlings. Journal of Mechanical Engineering Science 233:1045-1054.

Xin J, Kaixuan Z, Jiangtao J, Xinwu D, Hao M, Zhaomei Q. 2018. Design and implementation of intelligent transplanting system based on a photoelectric sensor and PLC. Future Generation Computer Systems 88:127-139.

Yang KC, Giacomelli GA. 1991. Factors affecting performance of sliding-needless gripper during robotic transplanting of sededlings. Applied Engineering in Agriculture 7:493-498.

Ye B, Zeng G, Deng B, Yang C, Liu J, Yu G. 2020. Design and tests of a rotary plug tray seedling pick-up mechanism for vegetable automatic transplanter. International Journal of Agricultural and Biological Engineering 13:70-78.

Ye BL, Yi WM, Yu GH, Gao Y, Zhao X. 2017. Optimization design and test of rice seedling transplanting mechanism of the planetary gear train with incomplete eccentric circular gear and non-circular gears. International Journal of Agricultural and Biological Engineering 10:43-55.

Yu SC, Shin SY, Kang CH, Kim BG, Kim JO. 2015. Current status of agricultural mechanization In South Korea. An ASABE Annual International Meeting 152189653. DOI:10.13031/aim.20152189653.

Yu Y, Liu J, Ye B, Yu G, Jin X, Sun L, Tong J. 2019. Design and experimental research on seedling pick-up mechanism of planetary gear train with combined non-circular gear transmission. Chinese Journal of Mechanical Engineering 32:49-61.

Zhang Z, Wang J, Zhang W, Zhao X, Liu W. 2011. Kinematic analysis and performance experiment of cantilever cup vegetable transplanter. Transactions of the Chinese Society of Agricultural Engineering 27:21-25.

Zhao X, Cui H, Dai L, Chen J, Ye B. 2017. Kinematic analysis and experimental research on the seedling pick-up mechanism of a second order free noncircular planetary gear system. Applied Engineering in Agriculture 33:169-179.

Zhou M, Sun L, Du X, Zhao Y, Xin L. 2014. Optimal design of rice pot seedling transplanting mechanism with planetary Bezier gears. Transactions of the ASABE 57:1537-1548.

Authors Information

Eliezel Habineza, https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0364-420X

Mohammod Ali, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1822-3005

Md Nasim Reza, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7793-400X

Jea-Keun Woo, https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8045-8908

Sun-Ok Chung, https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7629-7224

Yaxiu Hou, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7449-4547

Acknowledgments

This work was carried out with the support of “Cooperative Research Program for Agriculture Science and Technology Development (PJ01606101, Combined work type high-performance field crop precision planting & transplanting technology development)” Rural Development Administration, Republic of Korea.

Conflicts of interest

No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.