Seeding Uniformity of Precision Seeders

Abstract

<jats:p>Stanhay, Carraro, and Gaspardo precision vegetable seeders were evaluated for seeding uniformity with seeds of five vegetable crops—cabbage (<jats:italic>Brassica oleracea</jats:italic> L. Capitata group), carrot (<jats:italic>Daucus carota</jats:italic> L.), cucumber (<jats:italic>Cucumis sativus</jats:italic> L.), onion (<jats:italic>Allium cepa</jats:italic> L. Cepa group), and spinach (<jats:italic>Spinacia oleracea</jats:italic> L.). Five measurements [mean, percentage of misses, percentage of multiples, quality of feed, and precision (defined as the coefficient of variation after misses and multiples were discarded)] were used to evaluate seeder uniformity. Using all five measurements provided a more complete determination of the metering uniformity of the seeders than was possible in prior work when only mean and coefficient of variation were used. The belt seeder (Stanhay) was effective at singulating spherical seeds (cabbage) and nearly spherical seeds (onion)as the most precise vacuum seeder (Carraro). Seeding uniformity of all seeders with elongated (carrot and cucumber) or angular (spinach) seeds was inadequate for precision seeding.</jats:p>

Precision Seeder Uniformity Varies with Theoretical Spacing

“…Overall, seeding uniformity of the belt seeder was better than that of the vacuum seeder. Our results support reports from Parish et al (1991) and Bracy and Parish (1998) who found that seeding uniformity of the Stanhay belt seeder (especially with spherical seed) was greater than that of a vacuum seeder.…”

“…Visual observations of the vacuum plates during operation of the vacuum seeders indicated that the seed was being singulated with few misses and multiples (Bracy and Parish, 1998;Parish and Bracy, 1998). Distribution of the seeds on the test surface, however, was not uniform.…”

“…formity of vacuum and belt precision vegetable seeders (Bracy and Parish, 1998;Parish and Bracy, 1998) detected inconsistencies in the metering uniformity of precision seeders previously assumed to be very uniform (Parish et al, 1991). Bracy and Parish (1998) determined a belt seeder was as effective at singulating spherical seeds [cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata L.] and nearly spherical seeds [onion (Allium cepa L. var.…”

A Comparison of Seeding Uniformity of Agronomic and Vegetable Seeders

“…Soybean seed was selected to evaluate the seeders due to its spherical (nearly round) shape and medium size. Better seeding uniformity is expected with spherical seeds (Bracy and Parish, 1998;Parish et al, 1991). Mean diameter of the soybean seed used in these experiments was 0.25 inches (6.4 mm).…”

“…A n important feature of a precision seeder's performance is its ability to place seeds singularly a given distance apart. Recent studies evaluating seeding uniformity of vacuum and belt vegetable seeders (Bracy and Parish, 1998;Parish and Bracy, 1998) detected inconsistencies in the metering uniformity of vegetable seeders previously assumed to be very uniform (Parish et al, 1991). Bracy and Parish (1998) determined a belt seeder was as effective at singulating spherical seeds [cabbage (Brassica oleracea var.…”