Sowing quality indicators for a seed drill with overpressure

Abstract

The main goal of sowing is the distribution of seeds at an optimal depth with adequate seed spacings. The results of the optimal sowing, in both horizontal and vertical directions, are better germination and sprouting, as well as increased yield and reduced influence of plants on each other's space for growing, regarding the available light, nutrients and moisture. Quality of horizontal and vertical seed distribution is influenced by the distance between rows, sowing depth, pre-sowing preparation, seed drill, seeding mechanism, sowing density, and operator's skills. The arithmetic mean of spacing (Am), standard deviation for spacings between the plants (SD) and coefficient of variation (CV) are usually used for representation of sowing evenness. Assuming that the seeds are of good germination quality, the yield is directly dependent on the sowing quality and organization of plants per unit of surface area. A well prepared plot was sown with 20 corn seed hybrids from diff erent FAO maturity groups. The sowing was performed with precision pneumatic seed drill INO Becker Aeromat 2, which ejects individual seeds by using the overpressure.After sprouting, no statistically significant diff erences were found between the sowing of hybrids from diff erent FAO maturity groups and their characteristics. When the yield is concerned, biological characteristics of hybrids are much more influential than the quality of sowing. This is true only if the tractor implement for wide row planting is properly adjusted.