Abstract
In view of the low seeding efficiency and precision of seeders used for Brassica chinensis in China, a new double-row pneumatic precision metering device for Brassica chinensis was designed, fabricated, and evaluated. With the characteristics of small size and high sphericity of Brassica chinensis seeds in mind, the structure and key dimensions of the metering plate were determined, and a force analysis of the seed-filling process was carried out. The negative pressure (NP), angular velocity (AV) of the metering plate, and cone angle (CA) of the suction hole were selected as the main influencing factors of the experiment. In order to explore the influence of each single factor and the interaction between factors on the seeding performance, a single factor experiment and a central composite design (CCD) experiment were designed, respectively, and the experimental results were analyzed by analysis of variance (ANOVA). After optimizing the main influencing factors such that the target of the qualified index (QI) was greater than 94% and the miss index (MI) was less than 2.5%, it was found that when CA was 60°, NP was 1.55–1.72 kPa, and AV was 1.1–1.9 rad/s, the seeding performance was excellent. The bench verification results of seeding performance (94% ≤ Q ≤ 100%, 0 ≤ M ≤ 2.5%) and the coefficient of variation (CV) of seed mass (CV of seed mass in outer and inner circle: 5.15%; CV of total seed mass: 8.60%) under the condition of parameter optimization were analyzed; as a result, the accuracy of the parameter optimization was confirmed.
Highlights
Brassica chinensis (BC) is rich in vitamins and minerals, with a high plant cellulose content
Aiming at the characteristics of small size and high sphericity of BC seeds and meeting the row spacing of seeding by agronomic requirements, a double-row pneumatic metering device that can be used for high-speed and precise double-row seeding was developed
The metering device can complete double-row seeding with a doublerow metering plate, and can meet different row spacing of seeding requirements by replacing different diversion tubes
Summary
Brassica chinensis (BC) is rich in vitamins and minerals, with a high plant cellulose content. It is widely cultivated in China because its vegetable is favored by people in the. The planting mode of BC is mainly individual planting in China, and artificial seeding is the main method for the plantation process. Because this kind of seeding method is relatively inefficient, the implementation of mechanized precision seeding technology is a primary requirement for BC cultivation. A pneumatic metering device has the advantages of having a low seed size requirement, does not damage the seed, is Sustainability 2021, 13, 1374.
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