DETERMINATION OF SELECTED PARAMETERS THAT INFLUENCE PLANTING SPACE UNIFORMITY ON MAIZE SEED
Abstract
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.
References
Ahmed K., Mohammed U.S., Saleh A., Zakariyah A., Abubakar I., Ali H.K (2021). Development of a Four-row Animal Drawn Precision Maize Planter, FUDMA Journal of Science, 5(4): Pp 118-123. DOI: https://doi.org/10.33003/fjs-2021-0504-795
Badua, S.A, Sharda, A., Strasser R., Ciampitti I. (2021). Ground Speed and Planter downforce influence on corn seed spacing and depth. Transaction of the ASABE. http://doi.org/10.1007/s11119-020-09775-7 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11119-020-09775-7
Fallahi, S., & Raoufat, M. H. (2008). Row-crop planter attachments in a conservation tillage system: A comparative study. Soil and Tillage Research, 98(1), 27–34. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.still.2007.10.005
Gratton, J., Chen, Y. and Tessier, S. (2003). Design of a spring-loaded downforce system for a no-till seed opener. Canadian Biosystems Engineering, 45, 29–35.
Hanna, H. M., Steward, B. L., and Aldinger, L. (2010). Soil loading effects of planter depth-gauge wheels on early corn growth. Applied Engineering in Agriculture, 26(4), 551-556. DOI: https://doi.org/10.13031/2013.32058
Hanna, H. M. (2009). Planter Set-up and Adjustments for Accurate Seeding of Corn and Soybean. Retrieved 24/11/2020 from www.agry.purdue.edu/CCA/2009/CCA%202009/Proceedings/Hanna%20CCA%20Proceedigs%202009-2%20Final%20Version%2011-24.pdf.
ISO 7256/1-1984(E) Standard, International Organization for Standardization. Sowing equipment-test methods—Part one, single seed drills (precision drills) (1984) 7256/1, Geneva, Switzerland: ISO
Kachman, S. and Smith, J. (1995). Alternative measures of accuracy in plant spacing for planters using single seed metering. Transactions of the ASAE, 38(2), 379–388. https://doi.org/10.13031 /2013.27843. DOI: https://doi.org/10.13031/2013.27843
Karayel, D. and Šarauskis, E. (2011). Efect of down force on the performance of no-till disc furrow openers for clay-loam and loamy soils. Agricultural Engineering, 43, 16–24.
Morrison Jr., J. E. (1988). Interactive planter depth control and pneumatic down pressure system. Trans. ASAE, 31(1), 14-18. https://doi.org/10.13031/2013.30657 DOI: https://doi.org/10.13031/2013.30657
Murray, J. R., Tullberg, N. J. and Basnet, B. B. (2006). Planters and their components, types, attributes, functional requirements, classification and description. School of Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Queensland, Australia. Pp 135-137.
Panning J. W, Kocher M F, Smith J. A, Kachman S. D. (2000). Laboratory and field testing of seed spacing uniformity for sugar beet planters. Applied Engineering in Agriculture, 2000; 16(1): 7–13.6 DOI: https://doi.org/10.13031/2013.4985
Raper, R. L. and Kirby, J. M. (2006). Soil compaction: How to do it, undo it or avoid doing it. Agricultural Equipment Technology Conference Distinguished Lecture No. 30, St Joseph, MI, USA: ASAE.
Saleh, A; Takalafia, SM; Suleiman, ML (2022). Determination of Selected Soil Properties for Selecting Appropriate Land Preparation Equipment in Samaru – Zaria, Nigeria. UNIOSUN Journal of Engineering and Environmental Sciences (UJEES).Published by Faculty of Engineering and Environmental Sciences. Osun State University, Osogbo. Vol. 4 No. 1. March. 2022. Pp. 57 – 63. Print ISSN 2714-2469: E- ISSN 2782-8425. UNIOSUN. DOI: https://doi.org/10.36108/ujees/2202.40.0160
Sauder, D. A., and Hodel, J. J. (2014). Dynamic supplemental downforce control system for planter row-units. U.S. Patent No. US8634992 B2.
Staggenborg, S. A., Taylor, R. K., and Maddux, L. D. (2004). Effect of planter speed and seed farmers on corn stand establishment. Applied Engineering in Agriculture, 20(5), 573. https://doi.org/10.13031 /2013.17457 DOI: https://doi.org/10.13031/2013.17457
Zielke, R. R., and Cannon, W. (2013). Seeder downforce section control. U.S. Patent No. US8380356 B1.
Copyright (c) 2023 FUDMA JOURNAL OF SCIENCES
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
FUDMA Journal of Sciences
