Search Results (2)

Precision agriculture techniques, such as variable rate seeding (VRS) and hybrid switching, play an important role in optimizing crop yield and reducing input costs. This study evaluates the effectiveness of hybrid switching and the application of VRS technology in maize production, focusing on the accuracy of seeding rate and hybrid placement under varying field conditions. Conducted over two years, the research compares the performance of a precision planting system in flat (2023) and hilly (2024) terrain in north-eastern Hungary. The study examines seed placement uniformity, furrow quality and seed drop rates, with a focus on how terrain affects the success of these operations. A data analysis shows that hybrid switching and VRS result in better seed placement and more uniform furrows in downhill operations, with lower seed drop rates compared to uphill operations. In addition, the paper discusses the importance of accurate seeding equipment calibration and data cleaning. The findings highlight the critical need for accuracy and reliability in precision agriculture and provide insights to improve future crop management strategies and ensure sustainable farming practices. The study evaluates the accuracy of hybrid switching in maize across different terrain types and its impact on operational efficiency. The results show variation in hybrid switching distances, with an average transition length of 5.1 m on flat terrain, 5.80 m on uphill, and 4.22 m on downhill. The longest transitions occurred on uphill terrain due to increased mechanical adjustment delays, while the shortest transitions were observed on downhill slopes where seed flow remained more stable. The results highlight the importance of terrain-adaptive control mechanisms in precision planting systems to minimize transition delays, improve seed placement accuracy, and increase overall yield potential. Full article

To avoid the issues of seeds lying atop straw, where the seeds cannot germinate, during no-till maize seeding, a seed furrow cleaning device is proposed. The device uses rotating spring teeth and a curved sliding shovel to clear the straw from the seed furrow to the outside. The critical components of the side throwing mechanism, rotary disc and spring teeth design are analyzed, and the value range of the installation inclination angle, rotating speed and bending angle of spring teeth are determined. The force on the straw at the moment of starting to touch and throw it is analyzed theoretically in the three installation directions of forward inclination, radial and backward inclination on the rotary disc, and the backward inclination of the spring teeth is determined. A simulation model of the seed furrow cleaning device is established by using the discrete element method simulation software; the forwarding speed, rotating speed, installation inclination angle, and bending angle of spring teeth are used as influencing factors to carry out single-factor experiments. The influence characteristics of different parameters on seed ditch cleaning effect are analyzed from the aspects of straw cleaning quantity and soil disturbance. A field validation experiment is carried out, and the results show that when rotating speed is 180 r/min, installation inclination angle of spring teeth is 40°, and bending angle is 30°, the straw cleaning rate is 82.26%. The research could provide references to develop the no-till seeder for maize seeding. Full article