Development and Optimization of Furrow Opener  for Planting of Seed Spices

The primary features of an effective and efficient furrow opener include controlled soil disturbance and low draught and vertical force requirements. When integrated in a no-tillage seeding system, furrow openers should also have the ability to assist, and not hinder, the functions of seeding system components – such as maintaining adequate surface residue distribution, accurate and uniform placement of seeds and fertiliser, and regular inter-plant spacing. This review highlights how these goals are affected by opener type, geometry and settings, and soil and residue conditions. Typically, tine openers cause greater soil disturbance than disc openers whereas disc openers are likely to cause residue hairpinning. Winged tine openers reduce residue interference with seed placement and support greater lateral seed spread. Inverted-T openers can achieve subsurface soil shattering, which helps conserve moisture and provides good seed–soil contact. A tine opener with concave cutting edge reduces soil disturbance relative to straight and convex cutting edges. Increasing rake angle, tine width and operating depth increase degree of soil disturbance and draught requirement. Increasing forward speed reduces residue interference with sowing but might decrease the accuracy and uniformity of depth and separation of seed and fertiliser placement. Relative to common openers, bentleg openers have lower draught and penetration force requirements while combining minimal lateral soil throw with high furrow backfill, even at speeds of up to 16 km h–1. The performance of bentleg openers need to be evaluated under residue conditions and in cohesive and adhesive soils. Recommendations for future research are presented.

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Opener, packer wheel and packing force effects on crop emergence and yield of direct seeded wheat, canola and field peas

Canadian Journal of Plant Science ◽

10.4141/p01-171 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 83 (1) ◽

pp. 129-139 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

A. M. Johnston ◽

G. P. Lafond ◽

W. E. May ◽

G. L. Hnatowich ◽

G. E. Hultgreen

Keyword(s):

Grain Yield ◽

Environmental Conditions ◽

Direct Seeding ◽

Soil Conditions ◽

High Soil Moisture ◽

Pea Seedlings ◽

Field Peas ◽

Furrow Opener ◽

Direct Seeded ◽

Moisture Conditions

An understanding of the effects of different opener designs and on-row packing force would help producers in their selection of appropriate direct seeding implement options for their soil conditions. A field trial was conducted at three locations (Indian Head, Sylvania and Watrous) in Saskatchewan from 1997 to 1999 to evaluate the effect of opener-packer design (spoon-steel V packer; spoon-flat rubber packer; paired row-steel V packer; paired row-flat rubber packer; sweep-pneumatic tire) in combination with a range of on-row packing forces [0, 333, 549, 746, and 1000 Newton (N) per press wheel] on crop emergence and grain yield with direct seeding. The differences observed between opener-packer combinations in this study varied by less than 10% for grain yield, and were almost always associated with the opener design and not the packer type. Despite the variable results, there was a tendency for higher pea and wheat emergence with the sweep + tire compared with other opener types at those locations that tended to be drier in the spring. Also, grain yield tended to be greater for the sweep + tire in 1999 at Indian Head, when the heavy-textured soil at this site had high soil moisture conditions at seeding. The responses to packing force varied with different years and among the crops. Generally, 333 N per press wheel provided adequate emergence and grain yield across the environmental conditions encountered in this study, regardless of the opener-packer combination. In 1997, 5% more pea seedlings emerged with some amount of packing compared with no packing. Relative to the check, some packing resulted in wheat grain yield that was 13% greater at three of the location-by-year combinations, and wheat emergence that was 9% greater in 1998. However, with canola excessive packing force (i.e., the two highest vs. lower packing forces) resulted in 11 fewer seedlings m-2 in 1999. A packing pressure of 333 N per press wheel provided adequate emergence and grain yield across varied environmental conditions, with higher packing force only negatively influencing emergence in canola, and not yield. Key words: Furrow opener, packing force, emergence, direct seeding, zero till

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DRILL FURROW OPENER EFFECTS ON WHEAT AND SORGHUM ESTABLISHMENT IN NO-TILL FIELDS

Applied Engineering in Agriculture ◽

10.13031/2013.15888 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 20 (2) ◽

pp. 179-185 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

B. Du ◽

A. Bekele ◽

J. E. Morrison Jr.

Keyword(s):

No Till ◽

Furrow Opener

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Design and Analysis of a Fluid Injection Spot and Furrow Opener

Transactions of the ASAE ◽

10.13031/2013.37532 ◽

1973 ◽

Vol 16 (3) ◽

pp. 0414-0419 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

B. K. Huang ◽

V. Tayaputch

Keyword(s):

Fluid Injection ◽

Furrow Opener

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Effect of Furrow Opener Design, Furrow Depth, Operating Speed on Soil Characteristics, Draft and Germination of Sugarcane

Sugar Tech ◽

10.1007/s12355-016-0499-x ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 19 (5) ◽

pp. 476-484

Author(s):

Sukhbir Singh ◽

Ashok Tripathi ◽

A. K. Singh

Keyword(s):

Soil Characteristics ◽

Operating Speed ◽

Furrow Opener

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Fertilizer distribution mechanisms and side dress nitrogen fertilization in upland rice under no-tillage system

Scientia Agricola ◽

10.1590/s0103-90162010000500010 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 67 (5) ◽

pp. 562-569 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Carlos Alexandre Costa Crusciol ◽

André de Moraes Costa ◽

Émerson Borghi ◽

Gustavo Spadotti Amaral Castro ◽

Dirceu Maximino Fernandes

Keyword(s):

Grain Yield ◽

Upland Rice ◽

Block Design ◽

Soil Layer ◽

N Fertilization ◽

Root Penetration ◽

No Tillage ◽

Furrow Opener ◽

Tillage System ◽

Seed Deposition

Some crops have shown not to adapt to the no-tillage system (NTS) as a consequence of the compaction of the superficial soil layer. In a certain way, the mechanism used in seeders to open furrows for the deposition of fertilizers can have great importance in facilitating root penetration. This study was carried out to evaluate the influence of two fertilizer distribution mechanisms and N fertilization in upland rice (Oryza sativa) under NTS. The experiment was carried out in the growing seasons 2001/2002 and 2002/2003, in Botucatu, state of São Paulo, Brazil. A completely randomized block design was applied, with subdivided plots and four replications. Main plots consisted of two furrow opening mechanisms (furrow opener and double disk). Subplots consisted of four side dressing N levels (0, 40, 80 and 120 kg ha-1). The following parameters were evaluated: furrow and seed deposition depth, plant population, plant height, number of stems and panicles m-2, number of spikelets per panicle, spikelet fertility, weight of 1,000 grains, shoot dry matter, grain yield and N levels in the flag leaf. The success for upland rice establishment under the NTS in dry winter regions of Brazil is directly associated to the furrow opening mechanism of the seed-drill. The furrow opener mechanism resulted in deeper seed deposition, consequently decreasing seedling population, number of panicles per area and grain yield. Side dressing N fertilization in upland rice under NTS increases grain yield whenever the double disk mechanism is used to sow.

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