Engineering Properties of Sorghum Seeds; Implications for Optimizing Tractor-Drawn Multi-Crop Planter Design

Authors

  • Dejene Girma Gadisa Departments of Mechanical Engineering, College of Mechanical, Chemical, & Materials Engineering, Adama Science and Technology University, P.O. Box 1888, Adama, Ethiopia https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5631-1391
  • Kishor Purushottam Kolhe 1Departments of Mechanical Engineering, College of Mechanical, Chemical, & Materials Engineering, Adama Science and Technology University, P.O. Box 1888, Adama, Ethiopia
  • Siraj Kedir Busse Departments of Mechanical Engineering, College of Mechanical, Chemical, & Materials Engineering, Adama Science and Technology University, P.O. Box 1888, Adama, Ethiopia
  • Mubarek Mohammed Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research; Agricultural Engineering Research, Melkassa Agricultural Research Center, P.O. Box 436, Adama, Ethiopia
  • Tesfaye Asefa Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research; Agricultural Engineering Research, Melkassa Agricultural Research Center, P.O. Box 436, Adama, Ethiopia.
  • Dereje Alemu Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research; Agricultural Engineering Research, Melkassa Agricultural Research Center, P.O. Box 436, Adama, Ethiopia

Abstract

Traditional planting systems often lack adaptability to diverse seed morphologies, compromising seed placement accuracy and crop productivity. This study evaluates the engineering properties of three sorghum varieties (‘Dekeba,’ ‘ESH-4,’ and ‘Melkam’) sourced from the Melkassa Agricultural Research Center to inform the design optimization of a tractor-drawn multi-crop planter. Geometric properties including major, intermediate, and minor diameters were measured using digital calipers (±0.01 mm), with 100 seeds per variety analyzed for elongation (width, thickness, vertical orientations), geometric and arithmetic mean diameters, surface area, projected area, transverse cross-sectional area, sphericity, flakiness ratio, aspect ratio, shape index, and roundness. Gravimetric properties such as bulk and true densities were determined via toluene displacement and a precision digital balance (±0.001 g), enabling porosity calculation. The angle of repose was quantified for each variety, and data were analyzed using analysis of variance at a 95% confidence level (p < 0.05). These findings are critical for optimizing planter components, such as seed metering mechanisms and hopper geometries, to minimize seed bridging and enhance flow dynamics. By integrating sorghum seed morphology with mechanized planting technology, this study advances precision agriculture, enhancing planting efficiency, reducing labor, and supporting food security in semi-arid regions.

Key words: Sorghum seeds, Engineering properties, Geometric parameters, Gravimetric properties, multi-crop planter design, and Precision agriculture.

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Published

2026-03-27

Issue

Vol. 28 No. 1 (2026): CIGR Journal

Section

III-Equipment Engineering for Plant Production