Department of Agriculture

Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization

Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija

MODULE 2
CROP ESTABLISHMENT
Mechanized Rice Planting: Direct Seeding
Engr. Ana May P. Doctolera
Science Research Specialist I
Technology Management and Training Division
OUTLINE OF THE PRESENTATION:
 Plant Establishment Systems
 Methods of Direct Seeding
 Parts and Functions of Precision Rice Seeder
 Basic Field Operation and Maintenance
PLANT ESTABLISHMENT SYSTEMS
1. Direct Seeded 2. Transplanted
• Dry seeds • Seedlings
• Pre-germinated seeds
 DIRECT SEEDING
This method of plant establishment uses:
 Dry seeds
 Pre-germinated seeds

Source: Rice Knowledge Bank

Source: Philippine Rice Research Institute

Methods of Direct Seeding

1. Dry direct seeding

2. Wet direct seeding

 DRY DIRECT SEEDING
1. Broadcasting
Farmers sow onto dry soil surface, then incorporates
the seed either by plowing or harrowing.
Broadcast 60−80 kg of seeds uniformly by hand or in
furrows in 1 ha of field.
Source: Rice Knowledge Bank

2. Drilling
Precision equipment, such as the Turbo Happy
Seeder, can be used to drill seeds. Drill 80−100
kg of seeds per ha.

Source: Rice Knowledge Bank

WET DIRECT SEEDING
1. Broadcasting
Broadcast 80−100 kg per ha of pre-
germinated seeds to recently drained, well-
puddled seedbeds or into shallow standing
water.
Source: Agripreneur

2. Drum Seeding
Plant seeds using a 20x20 cm planting
distance, composed of 5 drums with holes at
both ends and can hold 2 kgs/drum. Seeding
output is 1-1.5 ha/day

Source: Rice Knowledge Bank

WET DIRECT SEEDING

3. Precision Seeder
The technology is a local 8-row riding-type
precision seeder that can have a seeding rate
of 15kg/ha to 30 kg/ha and at least two (2)
ha/day field capacity and suitable both for
hybrid and inbred rice production.
WHY DO WE NEED MECHANIZED
DIRECT SEEDING?
• Lack of laborers for rice transplanting
• 20-25 mandays/hectare –labor requirements for pulling & planting.

• High cost of manual transplanting

• Php6K-9K for seedbed prep, pulling, transplanting; 80-120 kg of seed
requirement using manual broadcasting

• There is a need to improve the existing method to a more efficient

system.
• With the existing method there is a high possibility of incorrect placement
(distance and seeding rate) of planted rice resulting to low yield.
RICE PRECISION SEEDER
A type of planting equipment that
accurately drops the seeds or
group of seeds in equidistant
spaces along a furrow (PNS/PAES
171:2015)
• equal distances
• in straight rows (defined rows)
• adjustment for hill spacing, and
• adjustment for seeding rate
• can plant dry, soaked,
incubated seeds Source: ASIA (ARP-8S Model)
CLASSIFICATION OF RICE
PRECISION SEEDER
1. Riding Type
Type of self-propelled rice precision seeder that
allows operator to ride on the machine during
operation

2. Tractor Attachment
Type of rice precision seeder which is pulled
by a four-wheel tractor
Factors to consider in using mechanized seeder

Source: CSISA, 2015 Source: Wilson, 2016

Seeds Soil

Source: CCSCES, 2010

Environment
SPECIFICATIONS OF A
RICE PRECISION SEEDER
Technical Information
Engine Type Unleaded (Diesel for
Model ARP-8SD)

No. of Rows 8 rows

Dimension 3.05 m (length)
2.33 m (width)
1.62 m (height)

Weight 850 kgs

Power (Gross) 14.5 kW (20 HP)
Revolution 3600 rpm
Field Capacity 4 ha/day* Source: ASIA (ARP-8S Model)
Source: Dr. Badua. 2019
BASIC PARTS OF
A RICE PRECISION SEEDER
 BASIC PARTS OF
A RICE PRECISION SEEDER
OPERATOR’S SEAT STEERING WHEEL
LINE
MARKERS CENTER
MARK

SEEDING
ASSEMBLY
SIDE MARK

FRONT WHEEL
REAR WHEEL

Source: ASIA (ARP-8S Model)

 BASIC PARTS OF
A RICE PRECISION SEEDER
Forward-Reverse Lever
DRIVING

WORKING

FORWARD
Model: Tong Yang
NEUTRAL

REVERSE Gear Shift Lever

Model: Tong Yang
BASIC PARTS OF
A RICE PRECISION SEEDER
Main Shift Model: ASIA
Lever

TRAVEL
NEUTRAL
FORWARD
REVERSE
 BASIC PARTS OF
A RICE PRECISION SEEDER
HAND THROTTLE/
SPEED LOCK
ACCELERATOR LEVER

HORIZONTAL
CONTROL
SYSTEM FOOT THROTTLE/
ACCELERATOR PEDAL

BUZZER STOP
 BASIC PARTS OF
A RICE PRECISION SEEDER
Planting Shift Lever Planting Shift Lever

PLANTING
PLANTING
DOWN
DOWN
NEUTRAL

NEUTRAL
Model: Tong Yang
UP
Model: ASIA
UP
BASIC PARTS OF
A RICE PRECISION SEEDER
HYDRAULIC LOCK
BASIC PARTS OF
A RICE PRECISION SEEDER

Control Pad
UNIT CLUTCH

LINE
MARKERS
BASIC PARTS OF
A RICE PRECISION SEEDER

UNIT CLUTCH

LEFT AND
RIGHT MARKER

DOWN

UP

SEED HOPPER
Model: Tong Yang
BASIC PARTS OF
A RICE PRECISION SEEDER
HYDRAULIC SENSITIVITY LEVER

DIFFERENTIAL
LOCK

HORN
BASIC PARTS OF
A RICE PRECISION SEEDER
SEED
HOPPER

SEED METERING
DEVICE
(AUGER TYPE)

FLOATER

SEED PRESSER

Seeding Assembly
BASIC PARTS OF
A RICE PRECISION SEEDER
Types of Seed Metering Device
a. Auger Type Metering Device b. Plate-Type Metering Device

Model: Tong Yang Source: Ms. Bautista of FitCorea/ Model: ASIA

BASIC FIELD OPERATION: RICE
PRECISION SEEDER
Travelling
1. Set the hydraulic lever and
forward-reverse lever in
neutral
2. Start the engine
3. Raise the planting section
and engage hydraulic lock
4. Set main shift lever in working
(D) position and slowly
engage forward
BASIC FIELD OPERATION: RICE
PRECISION SEEDER
Planting
1. Adjust the seed metering
device
2. Load the pre-germinated
seeds
3. Set planting lifting lever on
planting position and lower
the line markers
4. Slowly engage forward and
press on the accelerator
 APPLICATION OF PRS

PRS loaded with pre-germinated seeds Actual planting of PRS

Rice planted with PRS Ricefield planted with PRS

 APPLICATION OF PRS

7-day old rice planted with PRS 15-day old rice planted with PRS

30-day old rice planted with PRS

BASIC MAINTENANCE
1. Washing after use
2. Check the seeding assembly
3. Change oil*
4. Check rotating/moving parts;
tighten
loosed parts and lubricate*
5. Check filters, fuse, and battery
6. Park in shaded and leveled
ground
7. Full tank when stored longer
BASIC MAINTENANCE
Comparison of Yield
Source Traditional Direct Seeded (RPS)
Research Paper by Badua, et al., 2020 5134 kg/ha (5.66 5551.76 kg/ha (6.12 tons/ha)
tons/ha)
Dizon, MD, et al. (PhilSCAT) 5.88 tons/ha 6.4 tons/ha

Cost of Crop Establishment (w/o the

inputs)
Source Traditional Direct Seeded (RPS)
Research Paper by Badua, et al., 2020 11.76 Php/kg 9.86 Php/kg
Dizon, MD, et al. (PhilSCAT) 5,280 Php/ha 4,657.97 Php/ha
References:
• IRRI Rice Knowledge Bank
• Philippine National Standard/Philippine Agricultural Engineering Standards 171:2015, Agricultural Machinery – Rice
Precision Seeder
• Cereal Systems Initiative for South Asia Phase II (CSISA), 2015. Operational Manual for Mechanical Transplanting of
Rice
• ASIA Technology Co., Ltd. Ride on Type Paddy Seeder
• Philippine National Standard/Philippine Agricultural Engineering Standards 151:2015, Agricultural Machinery –
Mechanical Rice Transplanter
• Ford Tractor Philippines (TYM Rice Transplanter Walk Behind)
• GrabCAD, Rice Transplanter Arm by Edgar Osio. Aug 29, 2017
• Kubota Philippines
• Yanmar Philippines
• AgriTech Goldstar Co, Ltd (http://agrigoldstar.com/kubota-rice-transplanter-68c/)
• Agripreneur (by ACD, PHilMech)
• Oli, Generoso, et al., 2017. Technology Demonstration and Promotion on Mechanized Rice Farming in Irrigated
Lowland Areas in Region 02
• Badua, Aldrin, et al., Determinants of the Level of Awareness, Acceptance and Utilization of Precision Rice Seeding
System and Its Benefits Among Farmer-Users in Northern Luzon, Philippines (December 29, 2020).
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