Optimizing Drip Irrigation Efficiency: A Comprehensive Study on pH, Moisture Content, and Sensor Testing for Coconut MATAG Cultivation in Nursery Stages in Malaysia

Abstract

Pineapple cultivation involves several operations, in which planting is considered as one of the critical operations. The existing machine cannot be applied because it will damage the plastic mulch. The objective of this study is to present a design concept for the development of a pneumatic-powered pineapple transplanter. The major components will be the planting mechanism and the sucker feed mechanism that will be integrated into a semi-autonomous sucker planting mechanism by soil opener which consist of puncher and digger to allow sucker to enter the grow bed and then compacted with soil. The puncher and digger powered by using pneumatic. The pineapple transplanter was designed with the width of 1074 mm and the clearance of 320 mm which able to maneuver over the soil bed. From the CAD simulation, it takes 57 mm of extending actuator to open the digger 45 degrees. Air compressor provides 8 bar of pressure which is sufficiently to punch a hole to the soil with 5 bar of pressure. The design can continue with fabrication and can be used for future research.