Recent Engineering Intervention in Mechanized Vegetable Transplanting Techniques: A Review of Semi-automatic, Automatic and Fully Automatic Vegetable Transplanters

Abstract

Rising vegetable demand and a growing shortage of farm labour have increased the need for mechanized transplanting. Manual transplanting is slow, labour-intensive, and often uneconomical, especially during peak agricultural seasons. To address these challenges, recent engineering developments have introduced semi-automatic and fully automatic vegetable transplanters that improve operational efficiency, reduce production costs, and enhance planting precision. This review focuses on advancements in the design, development, and performance of modern vegetable transplanters, highlighting their efficiency, accuracy in seedling placement, economic benefits, and adaptability to various crops and field conditions. In onion cultivation, transplanting plays a vital role in crop establishment and yield, yet traditional methods often result in inconsistent spacing and depth. Mechanized systems offer improved uniformity, higher labour productivity, and reduced transplanting stress. The paper also examines emerging technologies such as pneumatic mechanisms, robotic pick-and-place systems, and  GPS-assisted guidance, which further increase precision and field performance. Finally, current limitations and future research needs are discussed to support the refinement and wider adoption of automatic onion transplanters for sustainable and high-yield vegetable production.