Performance of seed distribution mechanisms under different speeds and soil covering conditions - DOI: 10.4025/actasciagron.v30i5.5960

Abstract

The objective of this work was to evaluate the performance of two seeders offered commercially for no-tillage. The assays were conducted at the Cazarotto Farm, located in the Iguatemi District, municipal district of Maringá, Paraná State, in a HAPLOTOX Soil. Two experiments were set up: the first using a seeder with a horizontal plate distribution mechanism, and the second using a seeder with pneumatic-type mechanism. A split-plot design was used, with four replications. The main treatments were: soil covering conditions (spontaneous vegetation, desiccated black oat, and desiccated + rolled black oat); and the secondary treatments were the forward speeds (horizontal plate: 4.74, 5.41, 6.47 and 7.24 km h^-1; and pneumatic: 5.56, 8.04 and 10.21 km h^-1). With the increase in speed, the plant population and the percentage of acceptable spacings were reduced, and the recommended plant population was not reached by either seeder. The pneumatic mechanism obtained better results than the horizontal plate. The yield was larger where smaller populations were obtained, influenced by the water deficit.