Physical Property Characterization of Ethiopian Maize Varieties for Adaptive Multi-Crop Planter Design

Articles in Press

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

• D. Girma Gadisa ¹
• K. Purushottam Kolhe ²
• S. Kedir Busse ¹
• M. Mohammed Issa ³
• T. Aseffa Abeye ³
• D. Alemu Anawte ³

¹ Department of Mechanical Engineering, College of Mechanical, Chemical, & Materials Engineering, Adama Science and Technology University, Adama, Ethiopia

² Department of Mechanical Engineering, Sinhgad College of Engineering, Pune University, Vadgaon, India

³ Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research, Agricultural Engineering Research, Melkassa Agricultural Research Center, Adama, Ethiopia

https://doi.org/10.22067/jam.2025.92654.1356

Abstract

Smallholder maize production in sub-Saharan Africa, crucial for regional food security, grapples with persistent yield gaps driven by labor-intensive planting practices and a critical lack of mechanization specifically designed to accommodate the traits of native plant varieties. This study characterizes three maize varieties (CML-539, Melkassa 3, and Melkassa 6Q) to develop design parameters for adaptive multi-crop planters. Geometric properties including length, width, and thickness were measured using digital calipers, with 100 seeds per variety. Analysis was performed for elongation, geometric and arithmetic mean diameters, surface area, projected area, transverse cross-sectional area, sphericity, flakiness ratio, aspect ratio, shape index, and roundness. Gravimetric properties including bulk and true densities, porosity, thousand seed mass, and angle of repose were systematically analyzed to optimize seed-handling mechanisms in planter design. Physical property analysis revealed distinct varietal requirements: CML-539's irregular morphology (9.42 mm length, 49.30% porosity) necessitates vibration-assisted metering and aerated delivery systems; Melkassa 6Q's uniform properties (71.11± 6.66% sphericity, 811.62 kg m^-3 bulk density) permit gravity-fed mechanisms; and Melkassa 3's intermediate characteristics of > 2.3 elongation ratio and 19.31% density variation require adjustable furrow openers of 25-30° rake angles. Geometric variability necessitates the implementation of adaptive solutions, such as curved seed tubes and adjustable furrow openers, to effectively prevent tilt and bridging. The resulting modular planter system, incorporating moisture-responsive metering, adaptive cell sizing, and aerated delivery, aligns with Ethiopia’s agroecological standards of 75 cm row spacing and depth range of 4 to 7 centimeters. This framework offers a scalable, sustainable model for precision smallholder mechanization, transferable to global maize systems.

Keywords

• Angle of repose
• Maize varieties
• Multi crop planter
• Physical property
• Sphericity

Main Subjects

• Design and Construction

©2025 The author(s). This is an open access article distributed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0)

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