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Design and Comparative Experimental Study of Air-Suction Mulai-Arm Potato Planter

Author

Listed:
  • Xiaoxin Zhu

    (College of Engineering, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China)

  • Pinyan Lyu

    (College of Engineering and Technology, Jilin Agricultural University, Jilin 130118, China)

  • Qiang Gao

    (College of Engineering, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China)

  • Haiqin Ma

    (College of Engineering, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China)

  • Yuxuan Chen

    (College of Engineering, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China)

  • Yu Qi

    (College of Engineering, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China)

  • Jicheng Li

    (College of Engineering, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China)

  • Jinqing Lyu

    (College of Engineering, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China)

Abstract

China ranks as the world’s leading potato ( Solanum tuberosum L.) producer, while the poor seeding machinery performance limited a higher input–output ratio in potato cultivation and impeded sustainable development. We developed an advanced air-suction mulai-arm potato planter (ASPP) that incorporated integrated side-deep fertilization, automated seed feeding, negative-pressure seed filling, seed transportation, positive-pressure seed delivery, soil covering, and compaction. The study proposes a Negative-pressure seed extraction mechanism that minimizes seed damage by precisely controlling suction pressure, and the near-zero-speed seed delivery mechanism synchronizes seed release with ground speed, reducing bounce-induced spacing errors. Furthermore, the structural configuration and operation principle of ASPP were systematically elucidated, and key performance parameters and optimal values were identified. We conducted a randomized complete block design plot trial comparing the spoon-belt potato planter (SBPP) and spoon-chain potato planter (SCPP), evaluating sowing quality, seedling emergence rate ( ER ), potato yield ( PY ), and comprehensive economic benefits. The results revealed that plant spacing index ( PSI ), missed-seeding index ( MI ), re-seeding index ( RI ), and coefficient of variation ( CV ) of ASPP were 90.05%, 3.78%, 2.32%, and 7.93%, respectively. The mean ER values for ASPP, SBPP, and SCPP were 94.76%, 85.42%, and 83.46%, respectively, with the ASPP showing improvements of 10.93% and 13.54% over SBPP and SCPP. However, the SBPP and SCPP exhibited greater emergence uniformity than ASPP. The mean PY value was 37,205.25, 32,973.75, and 34,620 kg·ha −1 for ASPP, SBPP, and SCPP. The ASPP outperformed the SBPP and SCPP by 12.83% and 7.47%. Overall, ASPP demonstrated balanced and superior performance across the above-mentioned indicators, demonstrating its potential to enable precision agriculture in tuber crop cultivation.

Suggested Citation

  • Xiaoxin Zhu & Pinyan Lyu & Qiang Gao & Haiqin Ma & Yuxuan Chen & Yu Qi & Jicheng Li & Jinqing Lyu, 2025. "Design and Comparative Experimental Study of Air-Suction Mulai-Arm Potato Planter," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 15(16), pages 1-25, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:15:y:2025:i:16:p:1714-:d:1720343
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Zhiqi Zheng & Hongbo Zhao & Zhengdao Liu & Jin He & Wenzheng Liu, 2021. "Research Progress and Development of Mechanized Potato Planters: A Review," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 11(6), pages 1-27, June.
    2. Baidong Zhou & Yexin Li & Cong Zhang & Liewang Cao & Chengsong Li & Shouyong Xie & Qi Niu, 2022. "Potato Planter and Planting Technology: A Review of Recent Developments," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 12(10), pages 1-28, October.
    3. Ghasem Abedi & Shamsollah Abdollahpour & Mohammad Reza Bakhtiari, 2019. "The physical and mechanical properties of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) tubers as related to the automatic separation from clods and stones," Research in Agricultural Engineering, Czech Academy of Agricultural Sciences, vol. 65(3), pages 77-84.
    4. Yuangeng Ding & Hua Li & Jifeng Gao & Haiming Yu & Yongjian Wang & Dinghao Feng, 2023. "Parameter Optimization of Finger Clip Plate Garlic Seed-Metering Device," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-18, October.
    5. Jinzhu Lu & Senping Liu & Qi Wang & Min Liao, 2024. "Research on Device and Sensing Technology for Precision Seeding of Potato," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 14(12), pages 1-45, November.
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