Comparison of vertical and lateral seed distribution of furrow openers using a new criterion

For a furrow opener of a seeder, the ability to place seed at a given sowing depth in the soil is an important factor in evaluating its performance. Furrow openers directly affect sowing depth and lateral seed scatter of seeds. The aim of this study was to compare the performance of furrow openers by characterizing the spatial distribution of seeds within the seedbed. A newly developed criterion, distribution area of seeds, characterized both sowing depth and lateral seed scatter (standard deviation from row centre) of seeds. A field experiment was conducted to determine the effect of furrow opener type (shoe, hoe, single disc and double disc) on sowing uniformity according to conventional and developed evaluation criteria. Distribution area of seeds was calculated by ellipse and integral criteria. Ellipse criterion gave detailed information about the effectiveness of lateral seed scatter and variation in sowing depth on seed distribution area. Sowing uniformity was affected by furrow openers according to both conventional and newly developed evaluation criteria. The newly developed seed distribution evaluation procedures will better describe seed distribution in a two-dimensional way in a vertical plane. Therefore, these procedures will help improve furrow openers for effective seed placement. (C) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.