Seeding Depth Research Articles

Sowing depth and loads on press wheels in emergence, growth, and yield of safflower

Safflower has recently been introduced to Brazil. This plant has attracted this view due to its properties and capacity to supply oil that can potentially be used both in the manufacture of biofuels and in the food industry. In order to contribute with studies for the viability of this crop in the country, which are still lacking in the management of seeding, the study aimed to assess the mechanization of seeding a safflower genotype in two seeding depths (4.5 and 6.5 cm) and three levels of loads applied to the wheels (117.7, 156.9, and 196.1N) in the emergence, growth, and grain yield. The experimental design of randomized complete block design arranged in factorial 2 × 3, with four replications. Seeding depth and loads on press wheels did not affect the emergence rate of safflower. The root length, plant height, stem diameter, and dry mass of the plant at 30 DAE were benefited by seeding in depth of 4.5 cm in relation to the depth of 6.5 cm. Higher grain yield was observed for loads of 196.1 N compared to the pressure of 117.7 N, with values of 725 and 443 kg ha–1, respectively. Grain yield was 61% higher when seeding at a depth of 4.5 cm. Thus, the adjustment of the compactor wheels can influence in the safflower seeding process

Evaluation of the Effect of Charcoal and Seeding Depth on the Agronomic Performance of Zucchini (Curcubita pepo) in Korhogo

In order to improve zucchini production, the combined effect of charcoal amendment and seeding depth was tested at the botanical garden of the Peleforo Gon Coulibaly University in Korhogo. To this end, six (6 kg) of activated charcoal were buried in the elementary plots one month before sowing in order to assess its effect on soil fertility. The experimental design was that of completely randomized two-factor blocks which are charcoal amendment and depth. Sowing was carried out one month after the application of charcoal due to three seeds per hill at different depths. Namely 0 inch, 1.5 inch and 3 inch. These same depths were repeated on control plots in order to compare their effect on the agronomic performance of zucchini. The results obtained show that after a campaign of use of biochar, the chemical parameters of the soil (pH, CEC, K+, exchangeable Ca2+ and exchangeable Mg2+) experienced significant increases. The porosity has also been reduced. Zucchini fruit yields increased by 100-250% with charcoal compared to the control. Therefore, the use of charcoal can be popularized as a sustainable alternative to conventional fertilization to improve the yield of zucchini on sandy loam soils. Zucchini fruit yields increased by 100-250% with charcoal compared to the control. Therefore, the use of charcoal can be popularized as a sustainable alternative to conventional fertilization to improve the yield of zucchini on sandy loam soils. Zucchini fruit yields increased by 100-250% with charcoal compared to the control. Therefore, the use of charcoal can be popularized as a sustainable alternative to conventional fertilization to improve the yield of zucchini on sandy loam soils.

Effects of Soil Electrical Conductivity and Physical Properties on Seeding Depth Maintenance and Winter Wheat Germination, Development and Productivity

Crop seeding depth is an important parameter in agrotechnologies, but how can seeding depth automatically be maintained in on-farm soil conditions with different textures, granulometric compositions, structural contents and penetration resistances? For this reason, an on-farm field experiment was conducted in the Panevėžys district (Lithuania) during 2020–2022. The field was divided into five zones (EZ1–EZ5) according to soil electrical conductivity. In addition, uniform and variable seeding depths were compared. The results of the investigations showed that soil electrical conductivity was highly correlated with sand (r = −0.867; p ≤ 0.010 > 0.001) and silt (r = 0.871; p ≤ 0.010 > 0.001) contents. The seeding method mainly did not have a significant effect on soil physical properties and winter wheat germination, development and productivity. Higher differences were observed among field zones. The winter wheat seeding depth varied from 27.74 to 33.12 mm between the two most different soil electrical conductivity zones. In zones with variable seeding depths, winter wheat seeds sprouted the most abundantly, and germination reached 99% (in EZ3 and EZ4). In EZ1, EZ2 and EZ4, the yields of grain were the highest and were significantly higher than that in the loamy sand of EZ5. The 1000-grain mass was not affected by any of the tested factors. The results suggest the need for further research in fields with a wider range of soil electrical conductivity. This can increase the variation in seeding depth and reveal interactions among the factors in more detail.

Effect of Seeding Depth and Abscisic Acid on Barley Hordeum vulgare L. Germination, Growth and Seed Yield

The field experiment was conducted at field crops research station, college of agriculture/ Tikrit University. The factors of study were seeding depth and abscisic acid. The first factor was seeding depth at 3, 6, and 9 cm. The second was abscisic acid concentrations of 0, 150, 250 and 300 mg L-1. A randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications was used. The results showed that a seeding depth of 3 cm recorded the highest means of germination, number of days to seed filling, plant height, number of spikes per m2, number of seeds per spike, spike length, 1000 seed weight and seed yield. The means were 91%, 6.31, 85.87 cm, 385.2, 27.38, 13.25 cm, 52.99g and 5.59 ton ha-1. However, the longest coleoptile of 9.21 cm was observed at 9 cm seeding depth. In addition, 300 mg L-1 gave the highest number of days to seed filling, spike length, 1000 seed weight and yield, and means were 41.98 day, 13.96 cm, 50.95 g and 4.20 ton ha-1. Our data revealed that the Interaction between 3 cm and 300 mg L-1 showed the highest means of the number of days to seed filling, spike length, 1000 seed weight and seed yield, and means were 44.58 day, 16.31 cm, 54.17 g and 5.74 t ha-1.

Wheat cultivation depending on the method of seeding and nitrogen fertilizer application

The advantages and disadvantages of the most common types of seed drills are presented. A coulter has been studied that makes it possible to introduce mineral fertilizers below the level of sowing cereal seeds with preservation of the soil layer between them. Two-factor field experiment was conducted in four replications with a constant seeding rate of spring soft wheat Omskaya 36 4.5 million germinated seeds/ha in 2021. The rate of mineral fertilizers with a nitrogen content of 34.4% was 0 (control), 100, 150, 200 kg / ha on each type of the studied work tools. The results of comparative studies of the quality of three types of coulters on the basis of a serial seeder SKP2,1 are presented. During the field experiment, the depth of seed embedding, field germination, yield and grain quality were determined according to the variants. The best seeding depth of spring wheat seeds was provided by combined and disc coulters. The highest field germination (72.7%) was obtained when seeding with combined coulters with the introduction of ammonium nitrate at a rate of 150 kg / ha, disc coulters at the same rate - 71.0%, with a standard tine coulter - 55.1%. The highest yield (3.18 t/ha) was obtained when seeding with SKP-2,1K drill with combined coulters at the application of 150 kg/ha of ammonium nitrate. At the same rate of fertilizer application, the yield when seeding with disc coulters was 3.16 t/ha. The content of crude gluten in the control variant was 31.2%, when seeding with a combined coulter - 34.1%, when seeding with a disc coulter with the introduction of ammonium nitrate in the physical weight of 200 kg/ha - 33.4%.

Laboratory and field research of the vibrating coulter

The article analyzes the existing methods and devices for the simultaneous planting of seeds and fertilization. The proposed device is capable of providing an ordinary method of sowing with a different-level seeding depth and the introduction of mineral fertilizers without sideways displacement, subject to agrotechnical requirements. The operating modes of the device are investigated and presented, as well as the results on the uniformity of the distribution of seeds by depth and germination of seeds after sowing in the field.

Influence of seeding speed and spacing between corn crop lines in the Amazon

The sowing stage in the crop implantation process is directly related to its productivity due to factors such as adequacy of the speed of operation of the seeder-fertilizer and the spacing between lines adopted according to each region of Brazil. Thus, the objective of the study was to evaluate the agronomic characteristics of corn in relation to the spacing between rows and speeds of operation of the seeder-fertilizer in the sowing process in the eastern Amazon region. The experiment was carried out in the experimental area of the Technological Center for Support of Family Farming, located in the municipality of Parauapebas, in the southeastern region of Pará. The experimental design used was in continuous bands (subdivided into five plots) of four treatments, resulting in the factorial arrangement 2 x 2, consisting of two operating speeds (5.5 and 6.5 km h-1) and two spacings between rows of the seeder-fertilizer (0.75 and 0.55 m), totaling 20 experimental plots to evaluate the crop. The evaluations carried out after sowing were: SD (seed depth), TS (total seeds), IP (initial population), PH (plant height), EH (ear height), SD (stem diameter), FP (final population) and SI (survival index). The use of spacing between lines of 0.75 m promoted an increase in stem diameter (2.10 cm), plant height (2.29 cm) and seed depth (4.97 cm). It was found that the increase in operating speed (6.5 km h-1) and the use of 0.55 m line spacing provides an increase in the final plant population (60,000 plants ha-1).

Cranberry Germination and Emergence Response to Environmental Factors and Seeding Depth

Cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon Ait.) cultivars are clonally propagated. Germination of cranberry seeds produces off-type varieties that are generally characterized by lower fruit productivity and higher vegetative vigor. Over time, the productivity of cranberry beds decreases as off-type frequency increases over time. Improved knowledge of cranberry germination biology would facilitate the use of targeted agronomic practices to reduce the emergence and growth of less productive off-types. The influences of light, temperature regime, pH, and water potential on cranberry seed germination were assessed in a growth chamber, whereas the effect of seeding depth on seedling emergence was evaluated in a greenhouse. Seeds stratified for 6 months at 3 °C were used for these experiments. Cranberry germination was influenced by light quality, with maximum germination reaching 95% after 15 minutes of exposure to red light but decreasing to 89% under far-red light. However, light was not required for inducing germination. Cranberry seeds germinated over a range of alternating diurnal/nocturnal temperatures between 5 and 30 °C, with an average maximum germination of 97% occurring for diurnal temperatures of 20 to 25 °C. The length of emerged seedlings was reduced by an average of 75% for pH 6 to 8 compared with pH 3 to 5. Seedlings that emerged at pH greater than 5 showed increasing chlorotic and necrotic injuries and were not considered viable at pH 7 or 8. Germination at 15 °C was reduced when seeds were subjected to water stress as low as −0.2 MPa, and no germination occurred below −0.4 MPa. Seeds incubated at 25 °C were more tolerant to water stress, with at least 70% maximum germination for osmotic potential (ψS) −0.6 MPa or greater. The average seedling emergence was 91% for seeds left on the soil surface or buried at a maximum depth of 1 cm; however, it was null at a burying depth of 4 cm. These results indicate that germination of cranberry seeds in cultivated beds in the northeastern United States likely occurs during the summer months, when temperatures are optimal and the moisture requirement is supported by irrigation. However, timely application of residual herbicide or sanding (a traditional cranberry agronomic practice) of open areas in cranberry beds could help prevent seed germination and reduce minimizing the onset of off-type varieties.

PROSPECTS OF GROWING CORN FOR GRAIN FOR BIOETHANOL PRODUCTION

The article presents the results of studying the production of bioethanol from corn grain. The research was supposed to study the influence of elements of cultivation technology and vegetation factors on the yield of bioethanol from grain. Field researches were carried out during 2011-2017. on the experimental field of the Department of Plant Growing, Breeding and Bioenergetic Crops of the State Enterprise "Kordelivka" of the Institute of Potato Growing of the NAANU VNAU. The soils of the experimental plot are deep, medium-loamy black soil on loess, the humus content in the arable layer was 4.60%. Field experiments were laid in accordance with the recommendations set out in the "Methodology for field experiments with corn." The climatic conditions of 2011-2017 were favorable for the growth and development of corn, and in 2012 and 2015 were characterized by the limiting factor - humidity, which ultimately affected the productivity of the corn hybrids. The yield of bioethanol from raw materials was calculated as the yield of ethanol - its amount obtained from a ton of fermented carbohydrates in terms of starch. Research has established that the use of such hybrids of the early maturing group as DKS 2971, DKS 2960, DKS 2787, the mid-early group DKS 3472, DKS 3420, DKS 3476 and the mid-ripening group DKS 4964, DK 315, DKS 4626 and DK 440 will significantly increase the yield of bioethanol per unit area. A delay in sowing corn hybrids leads to a decrease in the yield of bioethanol by 0.640-0.847 thousand. l / ha. Foliage fertilizing provided an increase in bioethanol yield, which averaged 0.1-1.04 thousand l / ha relative to control (water feeding), the growth of bioethanol yield with a single foliar top dressing was 0.10-0.65 thousand l / ha , and with double foliar feeding - 0.30-1.04 thousand l / ha in comparison with the control. The highest bioethanol yield was obtained for a double application of Ecolist Mono Zinc microfertilizer in combination with the bacterial preparation Biomag, the growth of which averaged 0.72-0.90 thousand l / ha relative to the control. In 2015, which turned out to be quite arid, the yield of bioethanol, on average, in the studied corn hybrids was 3.622 thousand l / ha, in 2016 - 4.494 thousand l / ha, and in 2017 - 4.230 thousand l / ha. The yield of bioethanol in the group of early-maturing hybrids was 3.365 thousand l / ha, medium-early - 4.096 thousand l / ha and mid-season - 4.885 thousand l / ha. The yield of bioethanol when sowing with seeds of a fine fraction, on average, fluctuated within 2.94-3.78 thousand l / ha, or on average for a fraction of 3.41 thousand l / ha, when sowing with seeds of an average fraction - 3.28- 4.36 thousand l / ha, or on average for a fraction of 3.81, and when sowing with seeds of a coarse fraction - 3.33-4.31 thousand l / ha, or on average for a fraction of 3.84 thousand l / ha. The seeding depth of corn seeds had an ambiguous effect on the yield of bioethanol from the grain, that is, an increase in the seeding depth leads to a decrease in the yield of bioethanol from the sowing unit. So, a significant influence of the studied elements of technology and vegetation factors on the yield of bioethanol in corn hybrids of different ripeness groups has been established.

Energy productivity of grain sorghum depending on the elements of cultivation technology in the Right-Bank Forest-Steppe of Ukraine

In Ukraine, grain sorghum is an important grain crop used in bioethanol and solid fuel production. It stands out signifcantly from other grain crops by its economically valuable features, drought resistance, high productivity and universality of use. Grain sorghum is grown for use in the food industry (the main processed products are sorghum starch, glucosefructose syrups, alcohol, etc.), in fodder production and, more recently, in the energy industry. Therefore, the research of the elements of the cultivation technology, namely the sowing time and the depth of planting of grain sorghum seeds, is expedient and perspective. The article highlights the research results of the influence of the sowing time and the depth of planting seeds on the energy productivity of sorghum crops of the grain varieties ‘Dniprovskyi 39’ and ‘Vinets’ in the Right-Bank ForestSteppe of Ukraine. The purpose of the research is to establish the optimal sowing time and the depth of planting of grain sorghum seeds and to substantiate their influence on the crop energy productivity in condition of the Right-Bank Forest-Steppe of Ukraine. The research was conducted during 2016–2020 at the Bilotserkivska Research Station of the Institute of Bioenergy Crops and Sugar Beet of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine. It was found that the highest crop yield was obtained by sowing grain sorghum seeds in the 1st decade of May at a planting depth of 4–6 cm. At the same time, the grain yield of the ‘Dniprovskyi 39’ variety was 7.1–7.4 t/ha, of the ‘Vinets’ variety – 6.3–6.7 t/ha; the yield of biomass of the ‘Dniprovskyi 39’ variety was 40.2–44.4 t/ha, of the ‘Vinets’ variety – 37.3–39.5 t/ha. The highest bioethanol yield was obtained by sowing grain sorghum seeds in the 1st decade of May at a depth of planting of seeds of 4–6 cm. Cultivation of the ‘Dniprovskyi 39’ variety allowed to obtain 2.37–2.47 t/ha of bioethanol, the ‘Vinets’ variety – 2.08–2,21 t/ha. The yield of solid biofuel in this variant of the experiment was also the largest and amounted to 9.29–10.26 t/ha for the ‘Dniprovskyi 39’ variety and 8.62–9.12 t/ha for the ‘Vinets’ variety. The total energy yield from the obtained biofuel of the ‘Dniprovskyi 39’ variety was 210.66–228.98 GJ/ha, of the ‘Vinets’ variety – 192.37–203.95 GJ/ha. Key words: grain sorghum, varieties, sowing time, seeding depth, energy productivity.

Seeding depth and seeding rate regulate apical hook formation by inducing GhHLS1 expression via ethylene during cotton emergence

Apical hook formation is essential for the emergence and stand establishment of cotton plants. Searching for agronomic measures to regulate apical hook formation and clarifying its mechanism are important for full stand establishment in cotton. In this study, cotton seeds were sown at varying seeding rates or depths in sand to determine if and how apical hook formation was regulated by seeding rates or depths. The results showed that deep seeding or low seeding rates increased mechanical pressure and then increased ethylene content by increasing GhACO1 and GhACS2 expression to improve apical hook formation. Silencing of the GhACO1 and GhACS2 genes or exogenous application of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) decreased the ethylene content and inhibited apical hook formation in the cotton seedlings. Deep seeding, a low seeding rate, or 1-amino cyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) treatment increased the expression of GhHLS1 and GhPIF3 genes, but their expression was decreased in theVIGS-ACO1 and VIGS-ACS2 seedlings. Silencing of the GhHLS1 and GhPIF3 genes inhibited apical hook formation, although the expression of GhACO1 and GhACS2 was unchanged. GhPIF3 may act upstream of GhHLS1, as the expression of GhPIF3 in the VIGS-HLS1 seedlings was unchanged, while the expression of GhHLS1 in the VIGS-PIF3 seedlings decreased. These results suggested that raised mechanical pressure could increase ethylene content by inducing GhACO1 and GhACS2 gene expression, which promoted apical hook formation by increasing the expression of GhHLS1. Therefore, adjusting the mechanical pressure through changing the seeding depth or seeding rate is an important means to regulate apical hook formation and emergence.

Seeding depth effects on elongation, emergence, and early development of California rice cultivars

AbstractThe continuous use of a water‐seeded cropping system for California rice (Oryza sativa L.), along with a limited palette of available herbicides, have selected for flood‐tolerant grasses, aquatic species, and herbicide‐resistant weed populations throughout the region. Alternative cropping methods such as stale‐seedbed and deeper drill seeding may be combined to allow novel herbicide modes of action and combat resistance while providing economically competitive yields. Two experiments were conducted to evaluate rice cultivars for vigorous traits that would facilitate such a stale‐drill cropping methodology. Four cultivars of California rice were grown in glasshouses and evaluated for differences in germination, elongation, emergence, and early season morphology. Cultivars M‐205 and M‐209 were found to have greater rates of total below‐soil elongation, and greater rates of mesocotyl and coleoptile elongation overall, across depths. M‐205 and M‐209 were also found to have higher rates of emergence across depths. Differences in aboveground growth parameters of emerged seedlings were only found at 0‐, 6.4‐, and 7.6‐cm planting depths. Based on observed below‐ and above‐soil growth and development, M‐205 and M‐209 exhibited greater vigor overall, as well as high levels of emergence from depths greater than 2 cm. Therefore, these cultivars should be suitable for stale‐drill seeding as a strategy for managing herbicide resistance in California.

INFLUENCE OF SEEDING RATES AND SEEDING DEPTH ON GRAIN YIELD OF CORN HYBRIDS OF DIFFERENT RIPENING

INFLUENCE OF SEEDING RATES AND SEEDING DEPTH ON GRAIN YIELD OF CORN HYBRIDS OF DIFFERENT RIPENING

The Productivity of Spring Wheat Depending on the Depth of Seeding in the Predkamye of the Republic of Tatarstan

The article describes the two-year experimental study of the effect of the seeding depth on the development of spring wheat plants, the nature of development of the root system and the stalk, which has an important effect on the yield and grain quality. It was found that on gray forest medium loamy soils of the region, the most effective seeding depth is 4–5 cm.

Features of growth and development of grain sorghum plants in the Right-Bank Forest-Steppe of Ukraine

Grain sorghum is one of the most highly productive multipurpose grain crops for food, feeding and technical purposes. Considering this, the research of the elements of the technology of grain sorghum growing is expedient and high-potential. The article presents the research results of the influence of the sowing time and the depth of planting seeds on the phenological observations, field germination of seeds, biometric indicators of sorghum plants of the grain varieties Dniprovskyi 39 and Vinets in the Right-Bank Forest-Steppe of Ukraine. The aim of the research is to establish the optimal sowing time and the depth of planting seeds of the grain sorghum varieties, to substantiate their influence on the characteristics of plant growth and development in the conditions of the RightBank Forest-Steppe of Ukraine. The research was conducted during 2016–2020 in the conditions of the Bilotserkivska RAS of the Institute of Bioenergy Crops and Sugar Beet of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine. It is proved that the sowing time and the depth of seeding have a significant impact on the growth and development of the grain sorghum plants. It is established that at the 1st decade of May and to the planting depth of 4–6 cm the grain sorghum seeds vegetative season reduces and equates 108 for the Dniprovskyi variety, and 105 days for the Vinets variety. Sowing seeds at the 3rd decade of April and the 2nd decade of May, as well as decreasing the planting depth to 2 cm and increasing to 8 cm, lengthens the grain sorghum vegetative season of the researched varieties. Field germination reached its maximum in grain sorghum seeds sowing at the 1st decade of May and to the planting depth of 4–6 cm and equals to 84.2–86.8 % for the Dniprovskyi 39 variety and 83.1–85.4 % for the Vinets variety. Biometric indicators that affect the formation of crop productivity, namely, plant height, bushiness, stem diameter, were maximum in the same variant of the experiment. Key words: grain sorghum, varieties, sowing time, seeding depth, phenological observations, biometric indicators.

Evaluating the performance ÖZDUMAN Planter the maize Yellow in some field performance indicators.

A field study was carried out to grow the maize Yellow crop For the autumn season 2019-2020 in one of the agricultural lands in Al-Nimrud district in Nineveh Governorate, Moreover, field soil textures were loamy silty clay. The randomised complete block design (RCBD) was used to analyse the results under a split-split plots system with three replications. The investigation included the effect of three factors, the first one is seed depth (3 and 5) cm, and the second factor is the planter speed, which were (2.5, 4.8 and 6) km/h. The last factor is the spring tensile strength at three levels, that were (242, 217, and 198) N , The indicators studied were adopted for each of slippage ratio (%) , fuel consumption (l/ha), draft force (kN), loss ratio (%), achieved seeding depth (cm), ). Furthermore, total seed yield (ton/ha), . The most important results obtained were as follows:- As the depth (5) cm was significantly superior in all attributes The study also showed that the first speed (2.5) km / hour exceeded significantly in the highest values ​​of each fuel consumption (3.99). L / ha: Seed depth achieved (3.84) cm and total yield (10.76) t / ha. While the pulsating tension force level (242) Newton achieved the best moral values ​​in all characteristics except for the percentage of loss (5%). Whereas, the bilateral interaction of depth (5) cm with speed (2.5) km / h recorded the highest significant values ​​in the characteristic of each fuel consumption (5.17) l / ha, realized seed depth (4.80) cm and total seed yield (11.09) t / ha. As for the bilateral depth depth (5) cm with the spring tensile strength level (242) Newton achieved significant superiority in all traits except the characteristic of the percentage of loss. As for the velocity interference (4.8) km / h with the levels (242 and 217) Newton for the spring tensile strength The highest significant values ​​in attribute depth achieved (3.92 and 3.77) cm, respectively. Whereas, the triple combination of depth (5) cm with speed (4.8) km / h with the second level recorded the highest and best moral value in the attribute depth of the achieved seeds (4.93) cm from the rest of the characteristics.

Seed drills with combined coulters in No-till technology in soil and climate zone conditions of Kazakhstan

ABSTRACT Kazakhstan is one of the top ten countries in the world that use careful farming with a total area of 2 million hectares, therefore, the priority area of scientific research in the field of agriculture is the development and improvement of effective means: seed drills, tillage machines and mechanisms. As part of the research, tests were conducted with the use of experimental seed drills with various combinations of coulters: (1) double-disc and chisel coulters installed in different rows, (2) double-disc coulters and cultivator sweeps with seed distributors for band sowing. The research showed a higher efficiency of the use of combined coulters in comparison with only sweep rows in seed drills both in terms of agrotechnical indicators (yield, stubble conservation, uniformity of seed depth and field fullness germination of seeds, drag force of the drill), and from the economic effect terms. The results of this research can be used in the agricultural sector, regardless of the country and region, with careful farming using No-till technology in similar soil and climatic zones.

Development and performance evaluation of an electro-hydraulic downforce control system for planter row unit

To avoid the issues of uneven germination and undesired soil compaction associated with the changing soil conditions, this paper presented the design of an electro-hydraulic downforce control system for planter row units. The control system deployed a PID (Proportional-Integral-Derivative) closed-loop algorithm to control planting downforce exerted on the gauge wheel in response to varying soil conditions, and the results of the test bench showed that the detecting accuracy of the control system was within tolerance ±1.02% and the control algorithm can meet the design requirement with smallest rise time of 0.045 s. Moreover, field experiments were conducted using a four-row corn pneumatic planter at the driving speed of 8 km/h in the tilled field (TF) and untilled field (UTF) respectively. The predetermined seeding depths for corn seeds were 35, 50 and 80 mm, and four levels of downforce range were selected as Light (18–50 kg), Medium (50–90 kg), Heavy (90–120 kg) and Spring (conventional adjustment). The results demonstrated that compared with spring adjustment, the control system had better performance in adjusting downforce and enhanced consistency of seeding depth with an improvement of 1.05–2.23%. The results also implied that the control system with appropriate downforce input improved the qualified index than spring did, increasing by 3.12–34.38%. Thus it can be seen that corresponding to different soil conditions and sowing depths, a proper downforce from the planter unit with the developed control system could obtain better working quality than the results with traditional springs.

Emergence and Initial Development of Amaranth (Amaranthus cruentus L.) BRS Alegria at Different Depths of Seeding and Water Availability

The depth of seeding and the availability of water influence the seed germination process. Amaranth has small seeds from 1.0 to 1.5 mm and limited nutrient reserves and, after emergence, slow growth. Thus, the objective of this work was to evaluate the emergence and formation of amaranth seedlings. The experiment was carried out in a vegetation house at the Federal University of Mato Grosso - Brazil, between October and November 2018. The factor "A" refers to two seeding depths (10 and 20 mm) and the factor "B" to four of water availability (100%, 80%, 60% and 40% of retention capacity). The emergency, first count and emergency speed index were evaluated. Height, diameter, root length, number of leaves, mass of fresh and dry matter were also evaluated. The emergence of the seedlings, independently of the seeding depth, was greater in water availability of 100 and 80%. There was interaction of factors for the first count and emergency velocity index. The first emergency count was higher in water availability of 100%. At a seeding depth of 10 mm, the first count of emerging seedlings was similar in water availability of 100, 80 and 40%. While, at a depth of 20 mm, the first count was higher at water availability of 60%. The emergency speed index was higher for 100% water availability at 10 mm seeding depth, while at 20 mm depth the water availability had no effect on the emergency speed index. The water availability of 60 and 40% of the retention capacity reduces the height of the plant, the diameter of the stem, the length of the root, the number of leaves, the mass of fresh and dry matter. Increased seeding depth reduces height, number of leaves and production of fresh and dry amaranth matter.

Comparison between Planting and Sowing as Forms of Amaranthus (Amaranthus spp.) Propagation and Investigation of Different Seeding Depths

Amaranth is a broad leaf pseudocereal native to South and Central America and can be used as a source of high protein grain, as a leafy vegetable and has the potential to grow as fodder. The objective of this work was to evaluate some characteristics of amaranth agronomic interest (Amaranthus spp), as the best way of propagation of the crop, whether by planting of seedlings or direct seeding, and also to determine the most suitable depth of sowing of amaranth. Three treatments were established to conduct the first experiment, seedling versus no-tillage using the BRS-Alegria variety: the first (T1) was the planting of seedlings with 15 days old, previously produced in a greenhouse, on the day of establishment of the experiment in the beds; the second (T2) was the direct sowing in the soil on the day of establishment of the experiment in the beds; and the third (T3) was the transplanting of surplus seedlings from the first treatment, after two weeks of establishment of the experiment in the beds. The T1 treatment was the one that presented the best performance in the attributes of lap diameter and dry mass of plants, being not different, only, at plant height, in relation to T2 treatment. The treatments T2 and T3 presented the same performance for all attributes studied. The second experiment was carried out with the objective of evaluating the best sowing depth for the Amaranthus varieties: BRS-Alegria, Diócus, Princes, Verde (Amaranthus cruentus) and Inca (Amaranthus caudatus), under zero millimeters soil), five millimeters, and ten millimeters deep. The BRS - Alegria, Verde and Diócus varieties showed the best results when tested at 0, 5 and 10mm depth, with the average of plants emerged at 15 days after sowing, of 71.4; 65.9 and 61.0 respectively. The worst results were found in the Princes and Inca varieties, with average values of emerged plants of 51.3 and 47.2, respectively. As for the seeding depths, the best were 10 and 5 mm, with plants emerged after 15 days, of 86.9 and 77.9, respectively. The worst result was for the 0mm depth with an average of 13.3 emerged plants.