Vol. 6, Issue 6 (2018)
Developing and standardization of pneumatic automatic solution dispenser for fertigation of crops on daily basis
Author(s): Pragyan Paramita Rout and K Arulmozhiselvan
Abstract: The research paper outlines the development and laboratory standardization of pneumatic automatic solution dispenser that works based on the principle of thermal expansion of air driven by diurnal temperature variation, for fertigation to crops on daily basis. The dispenser consists of air chamber and solution dispenser. In order to standardize the output efficiency of this solution dispenser, entire set up was maintained in an incubator set with simulated temperature variation of 5 and 10áµ’C. The temperature ranges as follows; T1: 20-25áµ’C, T2: 25-30áµ’C, T3: 30-35áµ’C, T4: 35-40áµ’C, T5: 20-30áµ’C, T6: 25-35áµ’C, T7: 30-40áµ’C. Each treatment was replicated 4 times (cycles) of measurement at one hour interval. The results revealed that low temperature range of 20-25áµ’C recorded no dispensing of fertilizer solution at all hours of measurement. On contrary, other ranges of temperature at 5áµ’C variation recorded increasing rate of solution dispensed viz., 1.98, 2.30 and 3.41 ml/áµ’C at 25-30áµ’C, 30-35áµ’C and 35-40áµ’C respectively depicting a positive linear relationship between the volumes of solution dispensed (ml/áµ’C) with rise in temperature range. Similarly, temperature range at 10áµ’C recorded a dispensing rate of 5.47, 4.97 and 4.37 ml/áµ’C at 20-30áµ’C, 25-35áµ’C and 30-40áµ’C respectively. On contrary to 5áµ’C variation, simulated variation at 10áµ’C could able to reduce the effect of increase in humidity in air chamber at every contraction cycle. Finally, the results indicated the feasibility of this pneumatic automatic solution dispenser to be used for fertigation to crops on daily basis under tropical climate having a minimum temperature above 25áµ’C with diurnal variation of 5-10áµ’C. It is beneficial in term of automatic delivery, portability, cost effectiveness, easy handling and no power requirement. This kind of dispensers will help to deliver fertilizer solution to crops automatically to match the nutrient requirement on daily basis, either in soil, growing media or in drip lines. While designing for commercial use all components will be integrated into a single unit.
Pages: 407-414 | 425 Views 59 Downloads
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How to cite this article:
Pragyan Paramita Rout, K Arulmozhiselvan. Developing and standardization of pneumatic automatic solution dispenser for fertigation of crops on daily basis. Int J Chem Stud 2018;6(6):407-414.
