Planting Depth Research Articles

Determination of the Efficiency of Moringa Leaf Extract Treatments on Seedling Vigor in Marigold

The effect of different planting depths on emergence characteristics was investigated in this study carried out using seeds of Marigold (Tagetes patula) collected from nature. In addition, the most effective dose that can be used in priming treatments was tried to be determined by examining the effects of moringa leaf extract treatments applied at different doses in terms of emergence rate, emergence time, survival seedling rate, true leaf emergence time, emergence speed index, coefficient of velocity of emergence and vigor index values. After the T test, it was determined that different planting depth treatments created statistically significant differences especially in the survival seedling rate. It has been observed that the fact that the planting is exposed causes an increase in the survival seedlings rate. In addition, following hydropriming and moringa treatments, the highest seedling emergence rate at both planting depths was achieved with hydropriming and moringa leaf extract (4 g L-1) treatment. Moreover, moringa leaf extract (8 g L-1) treatments exhibited the earliest emergence compared to other treatments. All treatment groups were statistically different compared to the control group in terms of emergence speed index, coefficient of velocity of emergence and vigor index values in both planting depths, and HP and M3 treatments were the treatment groups that gave the best results. As a result of the study, it has been determined that surface sowing can be recommended in marigold cultivation and moringa treatments improve the emergence characteristics.

Experimental study of automated soil density control system of garlic planting machine

An automated system for adaptive regulation of soil density has been developed, which makes it possible to improve the quality of garlic incorporation when planting within the range of soil density regulation in the range of 1.2 -1.4 g/cm?. A methodology has been developed for conducting experimental studies of a machine for planting garlic with an installed automatic monitoring and control system for regulating soil density during planting. The results of experimental studies of the uniformity of soil compaction using a compaction roller with an automatic density control system and a closing device represented by a skid-type harrow indicate that after passing through a skid-type harrow, the value of the studied parameter increased by 18% relative to the initial state of the soil. The results of experimental studies of the quality indicators of the planting machine without an automatic monitoring and control system indicate a deterioration in the quality of the process of planting garlic bulbs with increasing forward speed in the range from 0.8 to 1.2 m/s at values of the coefficients of variation of the depth of planting of garlic bulbs ?_Hl from 32% to 42%. The results of experimental studies of the influence of a digital system for automatic control and management of garlic planting indicate the prospects of conducting research in this direction, which is confirmed by an increase in the quality indicators of the planting machine by 15% in comparison with the closing organ in the form of a skid-shaped harrow.

Influence of environmental factors on seed germination and seedling emergence of Amaranthus blitoides S. Watson and A. hybridus L.

AbstractAmaranthus blitoides S. Watson and A. hybridus L. are common herbaceous annual summer weeds in different regions of Iran, which produce a large number of small seeds per plant. The goal of these experiments was to determine seed germination cardinal temperature and investigate the effect of constant temperature, osmotic and salt stresses, stratification, flooding duration, after‐ripening and seed planting depth on seed germination and seedling emergence. Two‐piece segmented, dent‐like and beta four‐parameter models were used to investigate the relationship between germination rate and constant temperature. The dent‐like model showed the best description of the effect of constant temperature on seed germination rate of both A. blitoides and A. hybridus. Optimal seed germination of A. blitoides occurred at 35°C, but in A. hybridus optimum germination was observed in a range of constant temperatures from 30 to 40°C. Osmotic and salt stresses and flooding adversely affected seed germination of both species. After ripening for 6 months increased germination percentage of both A. blitoides and A. hybridus. Maximum seedling emergence of A. blitoides (42.8%) and A. hybridus (44.9%) occurred at a planting depth of 3.3 cm, whereas further increased planting depth minimized seedling emergence of both weeds. Information obtained from this study will help us to develop effective techniques for management of A. blitoides and A. hybridus.

Determining the source water and active root depth of woody plants using a deuterium tracer at a Savannah site in northern Stampriet Basin, Namibia

Woody plants play a significant role in the global water cycle through water uptake by roots and evapotranspiration. A deuterium tracer was used to assess the active root depths for Salvia mellifera and Boscia albitrunca in the Ebenhaezer area (western Namibia). The tracer was inserted at different soil depths in December 2016. Xylem cores were obtained using an increment borer, and transpired water was collected using transpiration bags zipped around the plants’ leaves. Groundwater was collected from boreholes. Soil samples were collected after the rainy season using a hand auger. Xylem and soil water were extracted using a cryogenic vacuum extraction method and analysed for stable water isotopes. Only one S. mellifera transpiration sample showed a high deuterium content (516‰) where the tracer was inserted at 2.5-m soil depth. Elevated deuterium contents were observed in two S. mellifera xylem samples; tracer had been applied at 2.5 and 3 m depth (yielding 35 and 31‰ deuterium, respectively), which constitutes a possible active-root depth range for S. mellifera. At the end of the study period (May 2017), the average δ18O value for B. albitrunca xylem samples was similar to that of groundwater. The δ18O value for S. mellifera was between that of soil water and groundwater, indicating that this species uses groundwater and soil water available for groundwater recharge. Determination of the active root depth and source water for these species would help improve hydrological modelling by incorporating the influence of woody plants on groundwater recharge.

Evaluating the Effects of Bacillus subtilis Treatment and Planting Depth on Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) Production in a Green Roof System

Given the current urbanization context and rising interest in green roof systems, growing a high-value crop such as saffron crocus in green roof medium could be an opportunity to use the benefits of both the crop and the green roof system; the drainage, aeration, and sand-like texture of green roof media make it suited for saffron production, and the saffron market price could make green roof production commercially viable. Various factors, including plant diseases and planting depth, could affect saffron production. Therefore, this research was conducted to evaluate the effects of planting depth and biofungicide treatments using Bacillus subtilis on saffron production in a green roof system. A completely randomized factorial block design was used with planting depth (10 cm and 15 cm) and B. subtilis strain QST 713 biofungicide treatments (an untreated control, 15.6 × 109 cfu/L, and 31.2 × 109 cfu/L) as independent variables. In 2019, fresh flower yield, fresh stigma yield, and dry stigma yield were calculated during harvesting, and additional data on flower number, tepal length and width, stigma length, and harvest time were collected in 2020. All variables were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) with planting depth and biofungicide treatments as fixed effects using R. Fresh stigma yield and dry stigma yield were higher in the 10-cm planting depth in 2019. Results were opposite in 2020: flower number, fresh flower yield, fresh stigma yield, dry stigma yield, and harvest time were higher in the 15-cm planting depth than the 10-cm planting depth. B. subtilis treatments did not affect any studied variable in 2020, but in 2019, the higher level of fungicide treatment resulted in lower fresh flower yield and dry stigma yield. There was no effect of biofungicide treatment and planting depth on tepal length, tepal width, and stigma length in both years. This study showed that growing saffron crocus on green roofs is feasible and even resulted in higher yield than field production in many saffron-producing regions and countries. In addition, results indicated that shallow planting might be suitable for annual production, whereas deeper planting could be ideal for perennial production based on the objective. Our findings demonstrated the feasibility of saffron production in the green roof system and suggest further research to develop best management practices.

Research Results of the Improved Coulter Group of the Planter

Introduction. The article substantiates the design schemes of coulters and, in general, coulter groups of potato planters based on the morphological features of the potato plant, its requirements for growing conditions and ensuring the high-quality performance of the planting process. The purpose of the coulter groups is to form a bed for placing seed tubers with a loose soil layer of 5–8 cm and to cover seed tubers with loose soil to a certain depth. Aim of the Article. The study is aimed at developing technological scheme and substantiating constructive parameters of coulter groups of potato planters, which meet most requirements for the conditions of potato plant growing. Materials and Methods. A comparative analysis of force estimation of furrow-opening working bodies is carried out and qualitative indicators of technological process of planting are determined. There is developed an experimental design of coulter groups of potato planters with the system for automatic maintenance of the depth of potato planting by correcting the angle of coulter attack if there are the field relief irregularities. Results. Experimental studies optimized the parameters of a coulter suspension providing automatic maintenance of the depth of potato planting while detecting field micro-relief irregularities up to 20 cm deep within the initial requirements for potato planters. Discussion and Conclusion. The coulters with an individual floating suspension and an acute angle of entry into the soil most fully meet the requirements for the growing conditions of a potato plant. Automatic maintenance of the specified coulter travel depth within the initial requirements (±2 cm) with field micro- relief irregularities up to 200 mm is provided by a coulter group with a suspension aspect ratio of 150:200:400:400 cm.

Primary bud necrosis in vine propagation material

Abstract. The study was carried out in the period 2019-2021 in the vine nursery of the Institute of Viticulture and Enology, Pleven (43.42°N 24.62°E and 140 m altitude) with Muscat Plevenski and Bolgar varieties, grafted to Berlandieri x Riparia SO4 rootstock. The cuttings were rooted in two-row beds without mulching with polyethylene foil. The planting depth was 0.15 m, at 0.07-0.08 m intra-row distance and 0.5 m between the rows in the bed. The distance between the beds was 2 m. The experiment was conducted in four replicates The buds from the first to the fifth eye were examined twice – in the second half of October (15-20 October) and after the removal of the vines from the nursery (01-08 November). The proportion of necrotic buds was determined from samples of 10 shoots per replicate. The manifestations of primary bud necrosis in Muscat Plevenski and Bolgar were observed without exception during the three years of the experiment. Damage was found, regardless of the bud’s location along the examined length of the shoot, with no specific trend of a particular node being affected.

A study of water depth on the growth and productivity of seaweed <i>Kappaphycus alvarezii</i>

This study aims to investigate the impact of varying the depth of water on the growth and productivity of seaweed Kappaphycus alvarezii. The study was carried out in the seas of Pallette. The research methodology used in this study incorporates three different planting depth treatments, specifically 1.5 meters, 3 meters, and 4 meters. In each treatment, 50 grams of Kappaphycus alvarezii seeds per bunch were used. The findings of this study indicate that seaweed cultivation at a depth of 1.5 m yields significantly favourable outcomes compared to the treatments conducted at depths of 3 m and 4 m, where growth is comparatively less optimal. This occurrence can be attributed to the diminished level of light penetration at such a depth. There is an inverse relationship between the depth of seaweed planting and the rate of weight gain. The optimal depth for seaweed cultivation for 42 days is 1.5 meters, with an average specific growth rate of 3% daily. On the contrary, the treatment carried out at a depth of 1.5 m showed the most substantial increase in biomass, averaging 122 g. Additionally, the maximum yield of seaweed was observed in the same treatment, precisely measuring 1,208 g/m2.

Optimized Design and Experiment of a Self-Covering Furrow Opener for an Automatic Sweet Potato Seedling Transplanting Machine

The yield and quality of sweet potatoes are significantly influenced by the transplantation posture of sweet potato seedlings. The performance of the sweet potato seedling transplanting opener directly affects the transplantation posture of sweet potato seedlings. In order to improve the yield and quality of sweet potatoes, this study proposes a joint simulation method based on discrete element and flexible multi body dynamics (DEM-FMBD), which optimizes the structure of a self-covering soil opener. By exploring the influence of self-covering soil trenchers on the planting depth and posture of sweet potato seedlings during horizontal transplantation, it was determined that the influencing factors of the experiment were wing spacing, soil reflux height, and soil reflux length. Based on the DEM-FMBD coupling simulation platform, single factor, and quadratic rotation orthogonal experiments were carried out. According to the results of the simulation test, the effect of the interaction of test factors on planting depth and planting attitude was analyzed by the response surface method. Finally, the optimal structural parameter combination was obtained by a multi-objective optimization method: the spacing of the wings was 58 mm, the height of the soil backflow port was 71 mm, and the length of the soil backflow port was 163 mm; thus, the quality of transplanting is improved effectively. This study provides the method and theory reference for the study of sweet potato transplanting.

Obtaining of Water-soluble Complex Salts of Various Fractions of Synthetic Petroleum Acids and Alcoamines, Investigation of Their Effect on Triticum, Zea mays and Pisum sativum, and Comparative Analysis With Natural Petroleum Acid Complexes

The purpose of our research is to summarize information about oil, the use of various fractions of natural and synthetic petroleum acids (boiling away in the ranges of 125-175°C; 175-225°C; 125-225°C, the synthesis of their water-soluble complex salts with alkanolamines (mono-, di-, tri-) by the reaction of their interaction with monoethanolamine, diethanolamine and triethanolamine, determination of their IR spectra, melting point and refractive index, preparation of solutions with different percentage concentrations (0.05; 0.01; 0.005; 0.001; 0.0001% solutions), the study of the electrical conductivity of solutions, laboratory and field studies of these compounds as growth compounds for Triticum, Zea mays and Pisum sativum. First, the seeds are soaked in the appropriate solutions in Petri dishes. Then the seeds taken in a plastic container are planted into the ground in accordance with the depth of planting and the number of seeds. The degree of germination is calculated from the number of germinated seeds. To determine the effect of salt solutions on the growth dynamics of the aerial parts of plants and roots in laboratory conditions, observations and measurements are carried out for 14-15 days. At the next stage, experiments are carried out in the field and the final results are obtained. Comparing the obtained results of the effect of complex salt solutions synthesized on the basis of natural and synthetic petroleum acids on plants both with each other and with the control variant (that is, with seedlings obtained from seeds soaked in irrigation water), it is determined which complex salts have better effect on plant development.

Design and Experiment of the Combined Machine for Transplanting Outcrop of Codonopsis with Micro Ridge Covered with Film

In response to the problem of no supporting equipment for the cultivation of Codonopsis in the hilly and mountainous areas of northwest China, a combined machine for transplanting outcrop of Codonopsis with micro ridges covered with film is designed. The key components of the prototype are analyzed and designed, and the structures and working parameters of the seedbed preparation device, seedling-casting device, rotary tillage soil-covering device, film-covering device, seedling head burial, and film edge soil-covering device are determined. The transmission system scheme is established, and the working mechanism of the core components is analyzed. Field experiments show that when the target seedling spacing is 4.4 cm and the machine moves forward at a speed of 0.1, 0.15, and 0.2 m/s, the variation coefficient of planting spacing and the qualification rate of planting depth meet the standard requirements. The qualified rate of planting posture and film side outcrop are greatly affected by the operating speed of the machine and decrease with the increase in operating speed. When the operating speed reaches 0.1 m/s, the average variation coefficient of planting spacing is 0.08% and the average qualified rate of planting depth, planting posture and film side outcrop is 95.83%, 94.17%, and 93.33%, respectively, which shows that the operating performance is better than that of the operating speeds of 0.15 m/s and 0.2 m/s. This study provides a new reference for the theoretical research and design of mechanized and automated transplanting machinery for Codonopsis seedlings.

Создание лесных культур сосны крымской (Pinus pallasiana D. Don) на бугристых песках в степной зоне России

Forest crop cultivation of Crimean pine (Pinus pallasiana D. Don) was implemented in 2009–2020 on sandy and sand included soils in the steppe zone of the European part of Russia. During the analysis of the reasons for the low efficiency of reforestation, the authors proposed the hypothesis that the rules of planting recommended for Scots pine relative to the depth of rooting may not be acceptable for Crimean pine. The purpose of the work is to substantiate the necessity and the most optimal value of deepening the root collar of Crimean pine seedlings on hilly sands. Experimental forest cultures were planted in 2017. The depth of the plant collar relative to the soil surface was tested at 0, 2, 4, 6 cm, and until the seedling’s foliated part. The reference group was created by machine cultivation, which required a rooting depth of 6 cm or more. In the case of hand cultivation, the variants with planting depths of 2 and 4 cm had the highest rates of plant survival (94.2–94.6 % in the first year), plant safety (67.0–94.6 % in the fourth year), and their most even distribution over the silvicultural area (variation coefficient (υ) at 6.6–28.8 %). The lack of deepening and very deep planting by 6 cm led to a decrease in plant survival and preservation by 7.6–18.6 % with an increase in the range of the variation coefficient (υ, 10.2–60.6 %). The mechanized planting with a root collar depth over 6 cm gave the lowest number of preserved plants (58.4 % in the first year, 32.7 % in the fourth year), and the greatest range for the variation coefficient (υ, 30.5–70.1 %). An analytical equalization of the density of age dynamics showed that the predicted density would not reach the normative value with low and very deep planting. The established statistically significant differences in the survival rate of forest cultures throughout the observation period (tf = 2.12–4.38> t05 = 2.12–2.45) indicated the expediency of deepening the root collar. The optimal value is 2–4 cm, but until the seedling’s foliated part. For citation: Turchina T.A., Bannikova O.A. Creation of Forest Cultures of Crimean Pine (Pinus pallasiana D. Don) on the Hilly Sands in the Steppe Zone of Russia. Lesnoy Zhurnal = Russian Forestry Journal, 2023, no. 4, pp. 76–92. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.37482/0536-1036-2023-4-76-92

Elastic Gauge Wheel with Irregular Cavity for Improving Seed Furrow Structure and Seeding Quality

The traditional gauge wheel has poor performance in reducing the adhesion to soil and constructing seed furrow, which results in lower seeding quality of the planter. To reduce the adhesion of the gauge wheel to the soil and build a well-structured seed furrow, an elastic gauge wheel with soil retention groove and irregular cavity was designed in this study. The soil retention groove built ridges on both sides of the seed furrow and avoided the gauge wheel compacting the seed furrow sidewalls. The irregular cavity increased the elasticity of the gauge wheel and allowed the wheel to squeeze the soil on both sides of the seed furrow, which reduced the soil adhesion of the wheel and built stable ridges. Soil moisture content was chosen as the experimental factor for comparative tests to evaluate the soil adhesion and the constructed seed furrow of the gauge wheel with an irregular cavity and the traditional gauge wheel. The experimental results showed that the viscosity reduction rate of the gauge wheel with the irregular cavity was not less than 12.61%. Compared with the traditional gauge wheel, the seed furrow constructed by the irregular cavity gauge wheel had ridges on both sides and less backfill soil, and the soil compaction of sidewalls decreased by 18.16%. The field experiment was designed using the Box–Behnken design. The working speed, downforce, and planting depth were taken as experimental factors, and the soil adhesion of the gauge wheel and the consistency of planting depth were taken as evaluation indicators. The optimal operating parameters of planter obtained by Design-Expert 8.0.6 software were as follows: the working speed was 8 km·h−1, the downforce was 844 N, and the planting depth was 65 mm. The verification test of the optimal operating parameters showed that the soil adhesion mass of the gauge wheel was 123.65 g and the coefficient of variation of the planting depth was 5.35%. This study provides a reference for the mechanized construction method of seed furrow by precision planter and the structural design and performance optimization of gauge wheels.

Construction and application of an applicability evaluation system for garlic planters based on fuzzy comprehensive evaluation.

The widespread use of garlic planters has been hampered by the lack of comprehensive applicability evaluation criteria, as their functional and structural designs are sometimes subpar and their purchase and use are not always financially advantageous. In order to close this gap in the applicability evaluation system for garlic planters, a three-level index system based on Technical indicators, Economic indicators, and Working condition indicators was proposed in the current study. A fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method was then applied to achieve the evaluation with the help of an analytical hierarchy process and validity test. By providing basic descriptions, physical test results and specific calculation results to the consulted ten experts and collecting the scores for the 3rd level indicators, the first-generation garlic planter was analyzed for the practical application of the Pizhou-white garlic planting area based on the established applicability evaluation system. The evaluated score of 74.47 was towards the bottom of the "good" range. The findings also suggest that enhancing operational safety, implementing plant spacing and planting depth adjustments, enhancing ease of operation, and to some extent lowering capital cost will improve functional performance and economic performance. The upgraded machine was subsequently created using the optimization guidelines. Its applicability score was 77.52, representing a 4.1% gain over the original computer. It has reached the midpoint of the "good" range and has achieved the optimization goal. The proposed applicability evaluation system can generally draw unbiased conclusions and provide scientific evaluation methods for the promotion of garlic planters in specific areas, benefiting not only the design and improvement of garlic planters but also the purchasing and application of them. However, further indicator refinement and a more thorough evaluation method appear necessary before the evaluation system is made more widely available.

Semi-automatic Vegetable Transplanters: A Review

The objective of this study was to review the research and development in semi-automatic vegetable transplanters. Discuss the various semi-automatic vegetable transplanters on the basis of metering mechanism, power source, plant spacing, number of rows, field capacity, field efficiency, etc. On the basis of review, it is observed that the transplanting rate, field capacity and field efficiency is better than handheld and traditional method of vegetable transplanting. It maintains the row to row and plant to plant distance and planting depth which helps in after transplanting mechanical practices on the farm. It is effective to increase the production as well as quality of the produce. Also, it saves a lot of time and money.

Response of Crop Performance and Yield of Spring Sweet Potato (Ipomoea batatas [L.] Lam) as Affected by Mechanized Transplanting Properties

The sweet potato transplanters of diverse transplanting configurations have been shown to produce various planting properties in relation to different raised bed cropping systems, thus affecting crop growth and yield in sweet potato cultivation. In Shandong Province, a field experiment assessed the effects of three treatments (RB1, mulched raised beds with a finger-clip type transplanter; RB2, bare raised beds with a finger-clip type transplanter; and RB3, bare raised beds with a clamping-plate type transplanter) on soil temperature, plant growth, yield, and economic benefits. With the lowest coefficient variation of plant spacing and planting depth, the RB1 with the finger-clip type transplanter had 6.4% and 6.0% higher temperature at 5–10 cm soil layer by using the plastic-mulch for rapid early slips growth as compared with the RB2 and the RB3, respectively. Consequently, the leaf area index in the RB1 was increased by 5.6% and 6.4% as compared to the RB2 and the RB3, separately. This finally contributed to 57.5–70.8% greater fresh vines weight and 23.8–33.8% higher tubers yield in the RB1 compared with both the RB2 and the RB3 treatments, respectively. In general, in the mulched raised bed system of the Huang-Huai-Hai region of China, the finger-clip type transplanter could be a suitable option for the transplanting of sweet potato slips. In the bare raised bed system, meanwhile, the clamping-plate type transplanter has the potential to increase the production of sweet potatoes.

Anthropogenically driven changes to organic matter input in sediments of Lake Chaohu, Eastern China, over the past 166 years

Characterizing how and to what extent human activities have influenced organic matter (OM) input in lake sediments is essential for a thorough study of the carbon cycle and carbon burial in lake systems, but this issue has not yet been addressed. Here, the source and composition of OM in sediments of Lake Chaohu, Eastern China, over the past 166 years, were determined by analyzing stratigraphic variations in aliphatic hydrocarbons and OM pyrolysis parameters in a dated sediment core. These data, coupled with documental records, were further used to elucidate the pattern and controlling factors of OM input in the sediments. The lowest hydrogen index (HI), lowest long-chain n-alkane concentrations, and highest Paq (proxy of aquatic macrophyte input) in sediments prior to ca. 1956 indicate a minimal input of OM from phytoplankton and terrestrial plants and a larger input from submerged macrophytes. This may represent the features of OM input in primitive conditions given the mild human activities around the lake before the 1950s. In sediments from ca. 1962 to 1985, elevated HI and C17/C16n-alkane ratios indicate a greater input from phytoplankton, while the high abundances of long-chain n-alkanes and αβ-hopanes reflect an anomalously high input from terrestrial plant and fossil OM. These variations might have been caused by the rapid development of agriculture during this period, which accelerated catchment erosion and petroleum contamination and promoted the transport of allochthonous OM and nutrients to the lake. The lowest Paq in sediments during this period indicates reduced input from submerged macrophytes, probably resulting from a dam installation that modified the water to an unfavorable plant depth. In sediments after ca. 1989, the highest values of HI, short-chain n-alkane abundances, and C17/C16n-alkane ratios indicate a further increase in OM input from phytoplankton, a response to domestic and industrial discharge and subsequent lake eutrophication.

Statistical Process Control And Analytical Hierarchy Process Methods For Reducing Earth Resistance

<p class="Abstract">Security or protection systems at generators, substations, transmission, and housing and others, especially to overcome lightning disturbances and leakage currents, the earthing system must meet the required standards. For each part of the system, from transmission, substation and residential electricity utilization as well as other parts, the standard of earth resistance is not the same, for example for housing a maximum of 5 Ω, for a small generator system a maximum of 10 Ω, for a large generator a maximum of 20 Ω and so on etc. In areas where the soil type resistance is high, it is necessary to reduce the value of the earth resistance so that it reaches the Indonesian national standard. There are many ways to reduce the value of earth resistance, including lowering soil resistivity, adding electrodes to the soil, changing the type of electrode and its diameter, and so on. The aim of the research was to determine the effect of the value of earthing resistance on the depth of electrode planting and the type of soil that is affected by the water content in the soil and to apply simple statistical tools, namely Statistical Process Control (SPC) and Anlytical Hierarchy Process (AHP).</p><p class="Abstract">The measurement method in this research uses a three-point system, namely one point for the test electrode and two points for the auxiliary electrode and the measuring instrument used to measure earth resistance is a digital earth resistance tester type digital model 4105A. This tool is designed according to international electrical commission (IEC) standards. To analyze reducing earth resistance using Statistical Process Control (SPC) and Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) methods. The design of this research is to answer the problems and research objectives that have been planned, namely to determine the effect of soil type on earth resistance and to analyze efforts to reduce the value of earth resistance to achieve standards with statistical process control (SPC) and analytical hierarchy process (AHP) methods. To find potential causes, it is done by calculating the analytical hierarchy process (AHP) in order to obtain a sequence of problems to be solved. If the consistency ratio value is more than 10%, then the data judgment must be corrected, but if the consistency ratio is less than or equal to 10% then the calculation results are declared correct or accepted. From the results of the AHP calculation, it is then verified by testing the earth resistance.</p><script id="stacks-wallet-provider" type="text/javascript" src="chrome-extension://ldinpeekobnhjjdofggfgjlcehhmanlj/inpage.js"></script><script id="stacks-wallet-provider" type="text/javascript" src="chrome-extension://ldinpeekobnhjjdofggfgjlcehhmanlj/inpage.js"></script><script id="stacks-wallet-provider" type="text/javascript" src="chrome-extension://ldinpeekobnhjjdofggfgjlcehhmanlj/inpage.js"></script><script id="stacks-wallet-provider" type="text/javascript" src="chrome-extension://ldinpeekobnhjjdofggfgjlcehhmanlj/inpage.js"></script><script id="stacks-wallet-provider" type="text/javascript" src="chrome-extension://ldinpeekobnhjjdofggfgjlcehhmanlj/inpage.js"></script>

CONTROL OF BURROWING NEMATODE INFECTION OF MUSA SPP AS AFFECTED BY PLANTING DEPTH AND POULTRY MANURE RATES IN MGBAKWU, ANAMBRA STATE.

Yield and control of burrowing nematode disease of Musa spp as affected by planting depth and poultry manure rates as soil organic amendment were studied in a 3x3x2 factorial experiment in a randomized complete block design with six replicates. The organic amendments were applied in two Musa spp. The poultry manure was apllied at the rate of 0 t/ha, 5 t/ha and 10 t/ha while the planting depth were 30cm, 45cm, and 60cm respectively. The 0 t/ha of poultry manure served as the control. The result of the analysis showed that burrowing nematode population density and its infection on Musa spp varied among the organic amendment applied. The same was true for yield and other yield components. Planting depth of 60cm and 10 t/ha poultry manure efficiently controlled the activities of burrowing nematode and therefore improved yield.

DETERMINATION OF SELECTED PARAMETERS THAT INFLUENCE PLANTING SPACE UNIFORMITY ON MAIZE SEED

In order to realize optimum plant population for profitable maize production, there is to obtain uniform plant spacing. The objective of this study was, therefore, to determine certain planting parameters that influence uniformity in plant-to-plant and row-to-row spacing. To achieve this, a 4-row animal-drawn planter was used to plant SAMMAZ 14 maize variety in the Experimental Farm of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. Treatment factors varied were hopper seed quantity with three levels: 25, 50 and 100 %, three levels of ground speed: 0.6, 0.8, and 1 m/s, and two levels of planting depth: 1.5 and 2.5 cm. Results obtained shows that the multiple index, miss index, feed index and precision index were seen to be affected by planting speed with the best multiple, miss and precision index were achieved at planting speed of 0.8 m/s except for feed index whose best value was achieved at 1 m/s. Similarly, multiple and precision index were both affected by seed hopper quantity but no effect on Miss and Feed index. It was also observed that the best mean values were obtained at 100 % seed hopper quantity. All the indexes were never affected by planting depth while the performance of the planter on seed uniformity indexes improve with moderate planting speed and increasing seed quantity in the hopper. Therefore, planting at 0.8 m/s planting speed and 100 % seed hopper full result in uniform crop establishment for a profitable crop production.