Effect of forward speed on hill dropping uniformity of a precision vacuum seeder

The purpose of this research was to examine the effects of different forward speeds of hill dropping melon (Cucumis melo) and watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) seeds with reference to hill dropping uniformity. For this purpose, melon and watermelon seeds were hill dropped with three different seed plates at the forward speeds of 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 m(.)s(-1) (1.64, 3.28, 4.92, and 6.56 ft/s). A precision vacuum seeder unit was used in laboratory tests involving a grease belt test stand. Mean hill distance was not affected by forward speed and seed plates, but mean seed number in hill was affected. In terms of the coefficients of variation of hill distance and seed number in hill, the most suitable forward speed was 0.5 m(.)s(-1). The scattering distance ratios of forward speed of 0.5 and 1.0 m(.)s(-1) were about 20% to 30%, indicating an acceptable level for hill dropping of melon and watermelon.