Tissue culture banana planter

Abstract

TISSUE CULTURE BANANA PLANTER The present invention discloses a tissue culture banana planter (100) includes a main frame (110), a sub frame (120), a furrow opening assembly unit (130), a furrow enlarging assembly (140), a seedling dispensing assembly consisting of a seedling dispensing unit (150) and a seedling metering unit (160), an earthing up unit (170) and a soil compacting unit (180). The planter maintains accurate plant to plant spacing, better establishment of plants and timely operation leading to higher productivity. The planter also saves time, labour and cost of operation compared to conventional method of planting. Figure 1

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[001] The present invention relates to a field of agriculture machinery, particularly relates to a planter for tissue culture banana, which can be operated by a tractor.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[002] Banana is one of the most important and popular fruits in India. India is the world's largest producer of banana with 13.90 million tonnes. Within the country, banana ranks first in production and third in area (after mango and citrus) among the fruit crops. Occupying 13 % of the total area under fruit crops in India, banana is grown in almost every state. Among the states, area under banana is highest in Tamil Nadu (92000 ha followed by Maharashtra (72200 ha) and productivity of banana is the highest in Maharashtra (60 metric tonnes / ha) followed by Tamil Nadu (52.70 metric tonnes / ha).

[003] Bananas are the fifth largest agricultural commodity in world trade after cereals, sugar, coffee and cocoa. India, Ecuador, Brazil and China alone produce half of total bananas of the world. The advantage of this fruit is its availability round the year. Banana is one of the most important and popular fruits in India. Tissue culture has been a boon for farmers as they get elite, high yielding and disease-free planting material.

[004] Tissue culture banana production technology is a superior technology over traditional method of banana production with respect to optimal yield, uniformity, disease free planting material and true to type plants. Grand Naine (G-9) is promising commercial cultivars and popular among the farmers because it has a relatively good shelf life and internationally acceptable attractive golden yellow in colour at maturity both as a fresh fruit and in processed form.

[005] Conventional planting of Banana is done manually by making pit and planting the tissue culture banana plants. This process requires more labour and also it is a tedious work. In conventional method, seedlings are planted in shallow pits of around 100- 150 mm depth. However, it has been observed that the establishment is better when the soil is loosened to a depth of 300 mm before planting.

[006] Hence, understanding this need, the present inventors have developed this tissue culture banana planter which can be operated by a tractor. OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[007] One of the objects of the present invention is to overcome all the mentioned and existing drawbacks of the prior arts by providing a tissue culture banana planter.

[008] Another object of the present invention is to provide a tissue culture banana planter for better establishment of banana plants.

[009] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a tissue culture banana planter for planting seedlings in a timely manner by maintaining accurate plant spacing, thus leading to higher productivity.

[0010] Still another object of the present invention is to provide a tissue culture banana planter, which saves time and labour, when compared to the conventional method.

[0011] Yet still another object of the invention is to provide a tissue culture banana planter, which saves cost of operation compared to conventional method of planting.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The invention relates to a tissue culture banana planter which provides better establishment of banana plants and higher productivity by providing planting of seedlings in a timely manner by maintaining accurate plant spacing and further saves time, labour and cost of operation compared to conventional method of planting.

[0013] An aspect of the invention relates to a tissue culture banana planter comprising a main frame, a sub frame, a furrow opening assembly unit, a furrow enlarging assembly, a seedling dispensing assembly, an earthing up unit and a soil compacting unit. The components are designed, connected and arranged in such a way so as to provide better furrow opening, efficient planting of seedlings automatically at fixed plant to plant spacing by use of seedling dispensing assembly and better earthing up after planting and efficient compacting of the soil around the banana plant.

[0014] Another aspect of the invention relates to a method of planting banana seedling by using tissue culture banana planter, which involves performing opening of furrows on soil by means of a furrow opening assembly unit, widening / enlarging the furrows by a furrow enlarging assembly, dispensing seedlings automatically at fixed plant to plant spacing by using a seedling dispensing assembly consisting of seedling dispensing unit and a seedling metering unit, earthing up by earthing up unit, and pressing or compacting soil around banana plant by soil compacting unit.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Having thus described the subject matter of the present invention in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and whereinFigure 1 illustrates a schematic view of the tissue culture banana planter, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;Figure 2 shows a schematic view of the main frame and sub frame of the tissue culture banana planter, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;Figure 3 shows an illustrative view of furrow opening assembly unit of the tissue culture banana planter, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;Figure 4 shows a schematic view of the furrow enlarging assembly of the tissue culture banana planter, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;Figure 5 shows a schematic view of the seedling dispensing unit of the tissue culture banana planter, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;Figure 6 shows an illustrative view of a seedling metering unit of the tissue culture banana planter, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;Figure 7 shows a diagrammatic view of a earthing up unit of the tissue culture banana planter, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; andFigure 8 shows a diagrammatic view of a soil compacting unit of the tissue culture banana planter, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the drawings are illustrated for simplicity and may not have necessarily been drawn to scale. Further, the drawings may show only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the drawings with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] The subject matter of the present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all embodiments of subject matter of the present invention are shown. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. The subject matter of the present invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Indeed, many modifications and other embodiments of the subject matter of the present invention set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which the subject matter of the present invention pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Therefore, it is to be understood that the subject matter of the present invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.

[0018] As a preliminary matter, it will readily be understood by one having ordinary skill in the relevant art that the present disclosure has broad utility and application. As should be understood, any embodiment may incorporate only one or a plurality of the above-disclosed aspects of the disclosure and may further incorporate only one or a plurality of the above-disclosed features. Furthermore, any embodiment discussed and identified as being "preferred" is considered to be part of a best mode contemplated for carrying out the embodiments of the present disclosure. Other embodiments also may be discussed for additional illustrative purposes in providing a full and enabling disclosure. Moreover, many embodiments, such as adaptations, variations, modifications, and equivalent arrangements, will be implicitly disclosed by the embodiments described herein and fall within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0019] Furthermore, it is important to note that, as used herein, "a" and "an" each generally denotes "at least one", but does not exclude a plurality unless the contextual use dictates otherwise. When used herein to join a list of items, "or" denotes "at least one of the items", but does not exclude a plurality of items of the list. Finally, when used herein to join a list of items, "and" denotes "all of the items of the list".

[0020] For the better understanding of the objects, technology and advantages of the present invention, the instant invention will be further explained in detail with respect to embodiments and accompanying figures as given above. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only to be used for explaining the present invention but not used to limit the present invention.

[0021] The present invention relates to a tissue culture banana planter, which enables for better establishment of banana plants leading to higher productivity with reduced time and cost of operation.

[0022] In accordance with a non-limiting embodiment of the invention, referring to illustrative Figures 1-8, a tissue culture banana planter (100) comprising a main frame (110), a sub frame (120), a furrow opening assembly unit (130), a furrow enlarging assembly (140), a seedling dispensing assembly consisting of seedling dispensing unit (150) and a seedling metering unit (160), an earthing up unit (170) and a soil compacting unit (180).

[0023] The main frame is configured to be pulled behind a tractor (i.e., a prime mover).

[0024] Again, referring to figure 1, the planter (100) further comprises a seating arrangement (190) mounted on sub frame (120). The seating arrangement is provided for operator or farmer to sit on the seating arrangement to facilitate the easy feeding of tissue culture banana plants on the seedling dispensing assembly.

[0025] In accordance with a non-limiting embodiment of the invention, referring to illustrative Figures 1 and 2, the main frame (110) includes a three-point hitch (111) for coupling to a tractor. This three point hitch (111) is coupled to the tractor for moving forward the planter (100). The main frame is connected to the sub frame (120).

[0026] The main frame is generally rectangular and formed from beams or pipes, may be made of mild steel in a conventional manner.

[0027] In accordance with a non-limiting embodiment of the invention, referring to illustrative Figures 1 and 2, the plurality of sub frames (120) movably connected to main frame (110) using connecting means (122).

[0028] In an embodiment, the sub frame (120) is 'Y' shaped as shown in figure 2, the one end (121) of the sub frame is connected to main frame using connecting means (122) and the other end (123) is mounted with the soil compacting unit (180).

[0029] A provision is made for adjusting the distance between the sub frames via connecting means (122) by moving the sub frames on the main frame.

[0030] In an embodiment, referring to Figures 1 and 2, the one end (121) of the sub frame (120) is connected with earthing up unit (170) and other end with soil compacting unit (180) and plurality of seating arrangement (190) are also mounted on sub frame (120). The seating arrangement allows the operator / farmer to sit and perform feeding of tissue culture banana seedlings.

[0031] In accordance with a non-limiting embodiment of the invention, referring to illustrative Figures 1 and 3, the furrow opening assembly unit (130) is mounted on the main frame (110) and one end of the furrow opening assembly unit (130) has a chisel type cutting element or edge (131) and the other end (132) has a mounting means such as holes (133) for mounting to the main frame.

[0032] The shape of the furrow opening assembly unit (130) along with chisel type cutting element or edge (131) at one end and the other end (132) having mounting means, is fabricated as shown in Figure 3.

[0033] The furrow opening assembly unit (130) having chisel type cutting element (131) is configured to open or form suitably sized furrows in the soil, for placing or planting the banana seedling.

[0034] In a non-limiting embodiment, the furrow opening assembly unit (130) is mounted to the main frame with 15o backward inclination.

[0035] In a non-limiting embodiment, the dimension of the furrow opening assembly unit (130) are 650 x 150 x 20 mm.

[0036] In a non-limiting embodiment, the furrow opening assembly unit (130) having chisel type cutting element (131) opens the furrow to a depth of 300 mm.

[0037] In accordance with a non-limiting embodiment of the invention, referring to illustrative Figures 1 and 4, the furrow enlarging assembly (140) is made up of sheet metal wings (141). The furrow enlarging assembly (140) is provided to enlarge the furrows created by the furrow opening assembly unit, thereby enabling better planting of the seedlings.

[0038] The plurality of furrow enlarging assembly (140) is configured behind the chisel type cutting element (131).

[0039] The furrow enlarging assembly (140) is made up of sheet metal wings (141) is provided to enlarge the furrow for the width of 120 mm and depth of 200 mm.

[0040] Referring to Fig 1, 5 and 6, the seedling dispensing assembly comprises a seedling dispending unit (150) and a seedling metering unit (160).

[0041] In accordance with a non-limiting embodiment of the invention, referring to illustrative figures 1 and 5, the seedling dispensing unit (150) is placed inside at the rear end of the furrow enlarging assembly (140).

[0042] Referring to figure 5, the seedling dispensing unit (150) comprises a lever (151), an oscillating sheet or spoon type valve arrangement (152), and means (153) for operatively connecting or attaching the lever (151) and the oscillating spoon type valve (152).

[0043] The seedling dispensing unit (150) is provided for guiding or positioning the seedlings in the furrow created by furrow opening assembly unit (130) and furrow enlarging assembly (140).

[0044] In accordance with a non-limiting embodiment of the invention, referring to illustrative figures 1 and 6, the seedling metering unit (160) comprises a rotatable shaft (161), plurality of eccentric cams (162) fixed at the end of shaft, a ground wheel (163) fixed to the shaft by mounting means (166) and operates via chain (164) and sprocket (165) mechanism. The shaft of seedling metering unit is connected to the main frame (110), so that the ground wheel is mounted on center of the main frame through connecting means (167). The ground wheel (163) is mounted on center of the main frame through which the power is transmitted to the shaft by chain and sprocket.

[0045] Referring to Figures 1, 5, and 6, the eccentric cam (162) and lever (151) are provided in such a way that side surface of the eccentric cam (162) presses the end of the lever (151), so that lever, in turn operates the oscillating sheet or spoon type valve arrangement (152), thereby enabling seedlings to be guided or positioned in the furrow created by furrow opening assembly unit (130) and furrow enlarging assembly (140).

[0046] Referring to Figures 1, 5, and 6, the operation of seedling dispensing assembly consisting of a seedling dispensing unit (150) and a seedling metering unit (160) for guiding or placing the seedlings in the furrow is explained as: a) the seedlings grown in a grow bag are placed in the oscillating sheet or spoon type valve arrangement (152) by the operator or farmer, after removing the grow bag; andb) the automatic actuation for seedling dispensing unit (150) is operatively connected to open the oscillating spoon type valve arrangement (152) automatically at fixed plant to plant spacing by use of seedling metering unit (160). The mechanism without bounding to any particular theory is that the ground wheel (163) rotates by forward movement of the tractor, the power is then transmitted to the rotating shaft (161) by chain (164) and sprocket (165). This rotation of the shaft, allows side surface of the eccentric cam (161) to lift the lever (151), so that lever, in turn operates the oscillating spoon type valve arrangement (152), thereby enabling seedlings to be positioned in the furrow created by furrow opening assembly unit (130) and furrow enlarging assembly (140).

[0047] In certain embodiments, the automatic actuation for plant dispensing mechanism is developed to open the valve automatically at fixed plant to plant spacing through seedling metering unit. The lever which oscillates the valve is lifted by the eccentric cam.

[0048] In a non-limiting embodiment, the oscillating sheet or spoon type valve arrangement (152) is designed to open automatically at fixed plant to plant spacing of 1.5 m through seedling measuring unit (160) with help of cam (162) and lever (151).

[0049] In accordance with a non-limiting embodiment of the invention, referring to illustrative Figures 1 and 7, the earthing up unit (170) operatively connected to the end (121) of sub-frame (120). The earthing up unit (170) includes a plurality of shovels (171), a plurality of horizontal connecting elements (172) such as a rod or beam or pipe, and plurality of vertical connecting elements (173) such as a rod or beam or pipe. The vertical and horizontal connected elements are connected by means of scaffolding clamp (174). The shovel is attached to the vertical connecting element (173).

[0050] The earthing up unit is operatively attached to the sub frame and is arranged for earthing up soil around the seedling.

[0051] In a non-limiting embodiment, the shovel is of 250 x 150 mm dimension.

[0052] The scaffolding clamp (174) is provided in such way as to facilitate the easy adjustment of depth, width and forward inclination of shovel.

[0053] In a non-limiting embodiment, the shovels are made of MS sheet.

[0054] Again, referring to figures 1 and 7, the earthing up unit (170) operatively connected to front end (121) of sub-frame (120) using the horizontal connecting elements (172).

[0055] In accordance with a non-limiting embodiment of the invention, referring to illustrative Figures 1 and 8, the soil compacting unit (180) comprises a rotatable wheel (181) which presses and / or compacts the soil around the banana plant.

[0056] The soil compacting unit is mounted on the either side of the rear end (123) of sub-frame (120).

[0057] The wheel is mounted at center point (182) to the sub frame (120) using mounting means (183) via a means such as a nut and bolt mechanism.

[0058] In some embodiments, the wheel (181) may be a rubber tire mounted on a rim.

[0059] In a non-limiting embodiment the wheel (181) is provided in four in number as shown in figure 1.

[0060] The provision for adjusting the depth as well as width of pressing is also made in the press wheel. The width of pressing can be adjusted from 100 mm to 200 mm.

[0061] The present invention, in an aspect provides a method of planting seedlings using tractor operated tissue culture banana planter (100) referring to Figures 1-7, comprising a main frame (110), a sub frame (120), a furrow opening assembly unit (130), a furrow enlarging assembly (140), a seedling dispensing assembly consisting of seedling dispensing unit (150) and a seedling metering unit (160), an earthing up unit (170) and a soil compacting unit (180); wherein the method of planting comprising steps of:a) moving the planter (100) by forward movement of a tractor, wherein the tractor is attached to the planter via main frame (110) and sub frame (120);b) opening furrows on soil, by means of furrow opening assembly unit (130), which starts operating due to the movement of the planter;c) widening / enlarging the furrows by furrow enlarging assembly (140);d) dispensing seedlings by a seedling dispensing assembly consisting of seedling dispensing unit (150) and a seedling metering unit (160); e) earthing up by earthing up unit (170), after planting seedlings; andf) pressing or compacting soil around banana plant by soil compacting unit (180).

[0062] In an embodiment, referring to illustrative Figures 1 and 2, the main frame (110) which includes a three-point hitch (111) for coupling to a tractor or towing vehicle. This three point hitch (111) is coupled to the tractor for moving forward the planter (100). The main frame is connected to the sub frame (120).

[0063] In a non-limiting embodiment, referring to figure 1 and 2, the plurality of sub frames (122) movably connected to main frame (110) using connecting means (122).

[0064] Referring to illustrative figure 2, the sub frame is 'Y' shaped as shown in figure 2, the one end (121) of the sub frame is connected to main frame using connecting means (122) and the other end (123) is mounted with the soil compacting unit (180).

[0065] Referring to figures 1 and 2, the one end of the sub frame (120) is connected with earthing up unit (170) and other end with soil compacting unit (180) and plurality of seating arrangement (190) are also mounted on sub frame (120).

[0066] Referring to figure 1, the planter (100) further comprises a seating arrangement (190) mounted on sub frame (120). The seating arrangement is provided for operator or farmer to sit on the seating arrangement, to facilitate the easy feeding of tissue culture banana plants on the seedling dispensing assembly.

[0067] Referring to illustrative figures 1 and 3, the furrow opening assembly unit (130) is mounted on the main frame (110) and one end of the furrow opening assembly unit (130) has a chisel type cutting element or edge (131) and the other end (132) has a mounting means such as holes (133) for mounting to the main frame.

[0068] The shape of the furrow opening assembly unit (130) along with chisel type cutting element or edge (131) at one end and the other end (132) having mounting means, is fabricated as shown in Figure 3. The furrow opening assembly unit (130) having chisel type cutting element (131) is configured to open or form suitably sized furrows in the soil, for placing or planting the banana seedling.

[0069] In an embodiment referring to figure 3, the furrow opening assembly unit (130) is mounted to the main frame with 15o backward inclination.

[0070] Referring to illustrative Figures 1 and 4, the furrow enlarging assembly (140) is made up of sheet metal wings (141). The furrow enlarging assembly (140) is provided to enlarge the furrows created by the furrow opening assembly unit, thereby enabling better planting the seedlings.

[0071] Referring to illustrative figures 1 and 5, the seedling dispensing unit (150) is placed inside at the rear end of the furrow enlarging assembly (140). The seedling dispensing unit (150) comprises a lever (151), oscillating sheet or spoon type valve arrangement (152), and means (153) for operatively connecting or attaching the lever (151) and the oscillating spoon type valve (152). The seedling dispensing unit (150) is provided for guiding or positioning the seedlings in the furrow created by furrow opening assembly unit (130) and furrow enlarging assembly (140).

[0072] Referring to illustrative figures 1, 5 and 6, the seedling metering unit (160) comprises a rotatable shaft (161), plurality of eccentric cams (162) fixed at the end of shaft, a ground wheel (163) fixed to the shaft, by mounting means (166) and operates via chain (164) and sprocket (165) mechanism. The shaft of the seedling metering unit is connected on the main frame (110), so that the ground wheel is mounted on center of the main frame through connecting means (167). The eccentric cam (162) and lever (151) are provided in such a way that side surface of the eccentric cam (162) lifts the liver (151), so that lever, in turn operates the oscillating spoon type valve arrangement (152), thereby enabling seedlings to be guided or positioned in the furrow created by furrow opening assembly unit (130) and furrow enlarging assembly (140).

[0073] The operation of seedling dispensing assembly consisting of a seedling dispensing unit (150) and a seedling metering unit (160) for guiding or placing the seedlings in the furrow is as provided below:a) the seedlings grown in a grow bag are placed in the oscillating sheet or spoon type valve arrangement (152) by the operator or farmer, after removing the grow bag; andb) the automatic actuation for seedling dispensing unit (150) is operatively connected to open the oscillating spoon type valve arrangement (152) automatically at fixed plant to plant spacing by use of seedling metering unit (160). The mechanism without bounding to any particular theory is that the ground wheel (163) rotates by forward movement of the tractor, the power is then transmitted to the rotating shaft (161) by chain (164) and sprocket (165). This rotation of the shaft, allows side surface of the eccentric cam (161) to lift the lever (151), so that lever, in turn operates the oscillating spoon type valve arrangement (152), thereby enabling seedlings to be positioned in the furrow created by furrow opening assembly unit (130) and furrow enlarging assembly (140).

[0074] The earthing up unit (170) operatively connected to the end (121) of sub-frame (120). The earthing up unit (170) includes a plurality of shovels (171), a plurality of horizontal connecting elements (172) such as a rod or beam or pipe, and plurality of vertical connecting elements (173) such as a rod or beam or pipe. The vertical and horizontal connected elements are connected by means of scaffolding clamp (174). The shovel is attached to the vertical connecting element (173). The earthing up unit is operatively attached to the sub frame and is arranged to close the furrow formed by the furrow opening assembly unit (160).

[0075] In an embodiment, referring to figures 1 and 7, the earthing up unit (170) operatively connected to front end (121) of sub-frame (120) using the horizontal connecting elements (172).

[0076] In an embodiment, referring to illustrative Figures 1 and 8, the soil compacting unit (180) comprises a rotatable wheel (181) which presses and / or compacts the soil around the banana plant. The wheel is mounted at center point (182) to the sub frame (120) using mounting means (183) via a means such as a nut and bolt mechanism.

[0077] The same planter developed according to present invention, can be used for transplanting other similar type of seedling such as red gram by suitably altering the automatic actuation assembly i.e. seedling metering unit

[0078] The inventors of the present invention have done extensive research and arrived at the present design features such as the way the components are configured / arranged including the length, inclination among others in order to provide below advantages or to overcome the disadvantages of the prior known method of planting tissue culture banana seedlings i.e. conventional method of planting.

[0079] Non-limiting advantages of the present invention: Planting of tissue culture banana could be done timely by maintaining accurate plant spacing, thus leading to higher productivity.

[0080] The machine resulted in 70 % saving in time and 90 % saving in labour when compared to the conventional method.

[0081] The cost of operation machine per hectare is Rs. 2750, whereas the cost of operation for the conventional method of planting is Rs. 18500 @ Rs. 6 / plant which in turn resulted in 85% saving in cost when compared to the conventional method.

[0082] The field capacity of the machine is 2.5 ha / day.

[0083] In a non-limiting way, the planter of the present invention could be used in transplanting other similar type of seedling such as Red gram by suitably altering the planter components.

[0084] While specific language has been used to describe the disclosure, any limitations arising on account of the same are not intended. As would be apparent to a person skilled in the art, various working modifications may be made to the method in order to implement the inventive concept as taught herein.

[0085] Terms and phrases used in this document, and variations thereof, unless otherwise expressly stated, should be construed as open-ended as opposed to limiting. As examples of the fore going: the term "including" should be read as mean "including, without limitation" or the like; the term "example" is used to provide exemplary instances of the item in discussion, not an exhaustive limiting list thereof; and adjectives such as "conventional," "traditional," "standard," "known" and terms of similar meaning should not be construed as limiting the item described to a given time period or to an item available as of a given time, but instead should be read to encompass conventional, traditional, normal, or standard technologies that may be available or known now or at any time in the future. Likewise, a group of items linked with the conjunction "and" should not be read as requiring that each and every one of those items be present in the grouping, but rather should be read as "and / or" unless expressly stated otherwise. Similarly, a group of items linked with the conjunction "or" should not be read as requiring mutual exclusivity among that group, but rather should also be read as "and / or" unless expressly stated otherwise. Furthermore, although item, elements or components of the disclosure may be described or claimed in the singular, the plural is contemplated to be within the scope thereof unless limitation to the singular is explicitly stated. The presence of broadening words and phrases such as "one or more," "at least," "but not limited to" or other like phrases in some instances shall not be read to mean that the narrower case is intended or required in instances where such broadening phrases may be absent.

[0086] All publications, patent applications, patents, and other references mentioned in the specification are indicative of the level of those skilled in the art to which the presently disclosed subject matter pertains. All publications, patent applications, patents, and other references are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent application, patent, and other reference was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. It will be understood that, although a number of patent applications, patents, and other references are referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that any of these documents forms part of the common general knowledge in the art. Although the foregoing subject matter has been described in some detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that certain changes and modifications can be practiced within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A tissue culture banana planter (100) comprising a main frame (110), a sub frame (120), a furrow opening assembly unit (130), a furrow enlarging assembly (140), a seedling dispensing assembly, an earthing up unit (170) and a soil compacting unit (180); wherein: the one end (121) of the sub frame is connected to main frame using connecting means (122) and the other end (123) is mounted with the soil compacting unit (180); the furrow opening assembly unit (130) is mounted on the main frame (110) and having a chisel type cutting element (131) at one end, which is provided to open or form suitably sized furrows in the soil, for placing or planting the banana seedling; the furrow enlarging assembly (140) is made up of sheet metal wings (141) and is configured behind the chisel type cutting element (131), to enlarge the furrows formed by furrow opening assembly unit (130); the seedling dispensing assembly comprises a seedling dispensing unit (150) and a seedling metering unit (160), which is provided for guiding or positioning the seedlings in the furrow created by furrow opening assembly unit (130) and furrow enlarging assembly (140) at a fixed plant to plant spacing; the earthing up unit (170) operatively connected to the end (121) of sub-frame (120) is arranged for earthing up the soil around the seedling after planting the seedling by the seedling dispensing assembly; the soil compacting unit (180) comprises a rotatable wheel (181), for compacting the soil around the banana plant after earthing up by earthing up unit (170).

2. The tissue culture banana planter as claimed in claim 1, wherein the planter (100) further comprises a seating arrangement (190) mounted on sub frame (120) for operator or farmer to sit on the seating arrangement and facilitate the easy planting of tissue culture banana plants on the seedling dispensing assembly.

3. The tissue culture banana planter as claimed in claim 1, wherein the other end (132) of furrow opening assembly unit (130), has a mounting means (133) for mounting to the main frame (110) with 15o backward inclination.

4. The tissue culture banana planter as claimed in claim 1, wherein the seedling dispensing unit (150) comprises a lever (151), oscillating sheet or spoon type valve arrangement (152), and means (153) for operatively connecting or attaching the lever (151) and the oscillating spoon type valve (152).

5. The tissue culture banana planter as claimed in claim 1, wherein seedling metering unit (160) comprises a rotatable shaft (161), plurality of eccentric cams (162) fixed at the end of shaft, a ground wheel (163) fixed to the shaft, by mounting means (166) and operates via chain (164) and sprocket (165) mechanism; wherein the shaft of seedling metering unit is connected on the main frame (110), so that the ground wheel is mounted on center of the main frame through connecting means (167); and wherein the eccentric cam (162) and lever (151) are provided in such a way that side surface of the eccentric cam (162) lifts the lever (151), so that lever, in turn operates the oscillating spoon type valve arrangement (152), thereby enabling seedlings to be guided or positioned in the furrow created by furrow opening assembly unit (130) and furrow enlarging assembly (140).

6. The tissue culture banana planter as claimed in claim 1, wherein the earthing up unit (170) comprises a plurality of shovels (171), a plurality of horizontal connecting elements (172), and a plurality of vertical connecting elements (173) wherein the vertical and horizontal connected elements are connected by means of scaffolding clamp (174) and the shovel is attached to the vertical connecting element (173).

7. The tissue culture banana planter as claimed in claim 1, wherein the soil compacting unit (180) is mounted on the either side of the rear end of sub-frame (120) and wheel is mounted at center point (182) to the sub frame (120) using mounting means (183) via a means such as a nut and bolt mechanism.