Development of a Single-Row Ear Seeder Equipped with a Disk-Cassette Sowing Device

Abstract

Abstract. The technique of seed sowing using ears plays a crucial role in the cultivation, selection, and propagation of new grain crop varieties. It offers distinct advantages over traditional seed sowing methods, as it provides a higher guarantee of varietal purity. (Research purpose) The objectives of this research are twofold: first, to design and develop a prototype of a single-row seeder equipped with a disk cassette sowing device, specifically tailored for ear sowing in breeding and seed nurseries of grain crops; and second, to assess the performance parameters of the sowing device and the agrotechnical indicators of the entire technological process. (Materials and methods) A schematic diagram of a single-row seeder equipped with a disk-cassette sowing device has been proposed. The specifications of the disk-cassette sowing device were obtained through calculations. Additionally, a methodology for conducting laboratory and field testing of the experimental sample has been developed. (Results and discussion) A prototype single-row ear seeder has been developed and manufactured. The functionality and performance of the disk-cassette sowing device have been evaluated and verified. The effectiveness and reliability of the prototype ear seeder have been assessed through laboratory and field tests, specifically during the sowing of Ivita winter wheat. These tests have enabled the determination of key agrotechnical indicators for the ear sowing process. (Conclusions) The optimal parameters for the disk-cassette sowing device have been determined, which include a disk diameter of 27 centimeters, an average diameter of the circle containing the cells for the seeded material of 21 centimeters, a total of 16 cells, each with an inner diameter of 3 centimeters and a length of 15 centimeters. A formula was derived to establish the correlation between the ear seeding density and the design parameters of the seeder. Field experiments conducted with the prototype provided data on various agrotechnical indicators relevant to the implementation of the technological process. Specifically, the measurements revealed that the distance between the ears in the sowing pass was recorded as 29.5 centimeters and 30.8 centimeters for the respective coulter travel depth settings of 3.5 centimeters and 5 centimeters. Furthermore, the average actual depth of the furrow was found to be 3 centimeters and 4 centimeters for the corresponding settings, while the width of the furrow bottom was measured at 6 centimeters.