Optoelectronic measurement system for a pneumatic roller-type seeder used to sow vegetable plug-trays

Abstract

Automated sowing performance monitoring for pneumatic roller-type vegetable plug-tray seeders helps reduce labor and ensure high sowing quality. In this study, a row of optical fiber sensors was utilized, and an optoelectronic measurement system was constructed based on the row-by-row sowing principle of the seeder. Performance of the measurement system was evaluated by sowing ten types of vegetable seeds. The results demonstrated there were no significant differences in measurement accuracy at different sowing speeds. Further, the seed properties did not influence the missed-seeding consistency ratio (CRms). The average CRms of the developed system was 99.81%. Seed shape was an important factor that influenced the single-seeding (CRss) and multiple-seeding (CRmu) consistency ratios. Seeds with greater than 85% sphericity obtained an average CRss and CRmu of greater than 99%, which demonstrated that the developed measurement system could be applied to vegetable plug-tray sowing.