THE INFLUENCE OF SEED-DRILL DESIGN ON THE SPATIAL ARRANGEMENT OF SEEDLINGS AND ON SEEDLING EMERGENCE

Studies of the behaviour of seeds released from seed-drills have shown that displacement from the intended position can occur by bouncing and rolling on impact with the furrow bottom and by soil movements during the covering process.
Design changes which allow optimization of the delivery conditions, whereby seeds are released at minimal height and zero horizontal velocity and are pressed into the furrow bottom before covering, minimize displacement and give accurate seed spacings at forward speeds up to 3m/s.

Simple manipulations of the soil environment by the soil – working components of the seed drill have indicated that considerable improvements in the field germination and emergence of crops may also be possible through better drill design.

Symposium on the Timing of Field vegetable Production

L.P. Bufton

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.1978.72.15