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Laboratory Seed and Fertiliser Placement Seeder Test Rig

 

Summary

This indoor facility was designed and built in 1990 with the ability to examine in a controlled environment the seeder related factors influencing the distribution and depth of seeds and fertiliser grains placed in the soil.

The facility consists of a set of rails traversed by a carriage sowing seeds and fertiliser into 3m long soil bins. The soil bin soil conditions are prepared to a uniform soil density and soil moisture content adjustable within a useful range. The seeding experiments typically substitute a second type of seeds in place of fertiliser grains for improved traceability. Following seeding, the soil bins can be placed in a controlled environment room for crop establishment comparisons and early crop growth studies.

Following seed germination and seedling emergence, the bins are then carefully excavated to locate seeds and pseudo-fertiliser grains. A 3-axis digitising frame is used to record the position coordinates of all seeds in the soil, as well as the soil surface irregularities and furrow profiles, so establishing soil profile characteristics.
 

Results are produced in graphical form as a cross-section of the soil profile and the seed distribution within the soil. Statistical values such as mean seeding depth, lateral and vertical spreads, seed and fertiliser separation are obtained, as well as characteristics of soil surface roughness and furrow boundaries.
 


Rows can be evaluated in each bin for seed and/or fertiliser placement, allowing for inter-row comparisons with various sowing tool patterns. Seeding with air seeder technology or gravity fed seed drill box equipment can be conducted at speeds of up to 16 km/h and at a depth of up to 150mm. The effect of post seeding equipment can also be analysed.

Evaluation capabilities of the seed fertiliser placement test rig:

Factors that can be investigated:

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