Field-scale evaluation of parameters affecting planter vibration in single seed planting

Abstract

Improving spatial plant uniformity is an important research focus. Planter vibration largely interferes with the seed metering process and thereby affects the planting quality. In this study, a single-seed planter was equipped with a vibration meter to measure the vibration of planter under both conventional and reduced tillage conditions. The experimental stand was established in a complete factorial design with three repetitions; with three different planter speeds and three different furrow opener sizes. The test results showed that the planter vibration linearly increased in parallel to planting speeds and linearly decreased in parallel to furrow opener sizes. The R2 value of each appropriating equation except reduced tillage (RT) at Field_1 and conventional tillage (CT) at Field_2, was greater than 0.90. Planter vibration was lower in planting at RT. The best spatial plant distribution was obtained with a 180 mm furrow opener size and 3.96 km h−1 planting speed. As a result, vibration increased the spatial variability of planting.