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Automated Seeding Rate Selector 1
Author(s) -
Stewart B. A.
Publication year - 1983
Publication title -
agronomy journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.752
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1435-0645
pISSN - 0002-1962
DOI - 10.2134/agronj1983.00021962007500010040x
Subject(s) - seeding , sowing , irrigation , population , agricultural engineering , fertilizer , environmental science , agronomy , computer science , engineering , biology , demography , sociology
There are instances when crop production could be enhanced if the plant population was changed within the field to correspond with changes in water or nutrient availability. Therefore, a device for changing seeding rates during planting operations was designed and tested. The device reported allows for three seeding rates, but the number could be changed to meet specific needs. The rate is changed by simply dialing an electric switch which engages the respective electromagnetic clutches. There is no need to stop or slow the planter to make the desired change. while the need that led to the equipment was to reduce plant densities down the field to correspond with decreased amounts of irrigation water, there are many other potential uses. Plant population studies could be more easily and precisely implemented. The concept could also be used to change fertilizer or pesticide rates in instances where the materials are applied by chain‐ or belt‐driven assemblies. The device can be readily constructed at moderate cost.