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A field study was carried out to assess the performance of power tiller operated seeder (PTOS) and to compare the yield, quality, maturity and economic traits of onion under different planting methods at Spices Research Sub-Centre (SRSC), Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), Faridpur, Bangladesh with four planting methods as four treatments: T1) ploughing the main field with high speed rotary tiller (HSRT) + direct seeding with power tiller operated seeder (PTOS), T2) ploughing the main field with HSRT + transplanting of seedlings, T3) ploughing the main field with HSRT + direct seeding in line and T4) ploughing the main field with HSRT + direct seeding as broadcasting. Under the study the treatments were arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The outcome of the study revealed that the treatments had a significant influence on the characteristics studied accept yield of onion. Different economic traits of onion were varied among the planting methods. The bulbs under direct seeding with the PTOS matured earlier (133.66days) as compared to the transplant (155.54days). All direct seeding methods showed insignificantly higher yields than that of transplants. The maximum yield (15.05t/ha) was recorded from broadcasting method. The yield performance under direct seeding with the PTOS and transplants were 15.08 and 14.92t/ha, respectively. The broadcasting method had very heterogeneous and under-sized bulbs due to uneven spacing and maximum plant population per unit area. In case of economic performance, transplanting method incurred the highest total cost of production. Maximum net return and benefit-cost ratio (2.95) were calculated from direct seeding with PTOS. So, it is concluded that in Bangladesh, direct seeding method with the PTOS may be a good option for getting early crop and maximum economic benefit.

One of the most important stages of growing small-seeded crops in breeding is the sowing of seeds. Sowing should provide the most favorable conditions for seed germination and further plant development, which increases field germination and yield of breeding crops. One of such conditions is the uniformity of seed distribution in a row, which should be for breeding crops - 99.9%. According to the results of the analysis of the constructions of the existing sowing machines, their classification on the basis of the principle of operation of the machines and design features of the sowing mechanisms has been supplemented. As a result of patent information analysis, it was found that electromechanical sowing machines are the most effective during selective sowing of small-seeded crops, as they provide a sufficiently high seeding accuracy and have promising opportunities to change varieties directly during sowing in different areas. The analysis of the work of the sowing system "Maple" allowed to form the main ways of its improvement: it is necessary to improve the working body of the sowing machine to ensure the accuracy of sowing of small-seeded crops at the level of 99.9%; for sowing in areas of pre-seed production it is necessary to provide automatic loading of seeds of different varieties into the sowing machine; needs to improve the sowing system in areas of pre-seed production, taking into account GPS-tracking; the elements of the seeding system must be block for easy replacement in case of failure. To solve the set problems, the constructive-technological scheme of the sowing apparatus of the selection seeder of small-seeded crops is substantiated, which allows to fully automate the sowing process on the plots of pre-seed production almost without the breeder's participation with high seeding accuracy.

Recently many agricultural producers have begun to take care of environmental aspects and are gradually switching to the use of organic farming elements in the cultivation of agricultural crops, which include green fertilizers - siderates. Many experts recommend cutting the green mass of green manure crops with a mower and embedding it in the surface layer of the soil as mulch. However, not all termination methods are equally effective. In particular, when passing through a field with a rotary harrow’s green manure, the circular knives have to simultaneously perform two functions: chop and embed the vegetative mass of plants, which negatively affects the depth of processing. Therefore, the goal of our research is to develop a combined unit for mowing, crushing and embedding green mass of green manure crops into the soil. To achieve this, it is proposed to attach a plant chopper to the front of the tractor, which will mow and chop the plants, and two discator batteries installed on the rear hitch of the tractor will close the chopped organic mass. To determine the efficiency of using the proposed combined unit in different regions of the Republic of Tatarstan on different soils, comparative field tests were carried out, which consisted in determining the completeness of incorporation of green mass. The value of this indicator without using the mower on the front hitch was 65%, and with mowing and chopping - 95%, this is 1.5 times more than in the version with the compared unit, which should favorably affect the decomposition of the embedded organic matter

Rice residue management (RRM) has been the key component of systems’ sustainability. The paper reports the effect of different RRM and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) establishment methods on productivity and yield contributing attributes through farmer participatory mode in south-western Punjab. Different RRM technologies including rice residue removal, residue incorporation and residue retention on soil as surface mulch were evaluated. Wheat grain yield was significantly (p

Highlights Soil type, operational speed, machinery weight, and power size affected corn seeding rate and seeding efficiency Corn growth and yield was affected by seeder type, so utilization of appropriate machinery is very important Having cover crop residue on the land can maintain soil moisture for a longer time than tilled land Abstract.Conservation agriculture (CA) is gaining popularity in Cambodia to sustain soil fertility, productivity, and profits. However, the adoption remains slow due to the low engagement so far of local services into CA machinery and technology. Therefore, this paper aimed to compare different no-till seeders and residue retention methods for corn (Zea mays L.) sowing and to determine their effects on growth and yield. The experiment was conducted in Rattanak Mondul District, Battambang Province, in the wet season of 2019. Sunn hemp (Crotalaria juncea L.) was grown as a cover crop for 74 days prior to corn. Each main plot was 14 × 34 m and was subdivided lengthwise with 4.0-m buffers for operations of two different seeders, namely one-row Morrison seeder mounted on 14 kW Oggun tractor and four-row Brazilian seeder mounted on 56 kW John Deere tractor. The results show that using Brazilian seeder saved around 50% of seed and 80% of time, when compared with Morrison seeder. Plant population, plant diameter, and kernel characteristics were also significantly greater with Brazilian seeder, when compared to the Morrison seeder. A combination of the Brazilian seeder and Cambodia made crimper plots had larger ear size and weight. Volumetric Moisture Content (VMC) was significantly affected by residue retention with higher VMC for rolled and crimped residue compared to disked/incorporated residue. The study demonstrates that using no-till equipment such as roller crimpers and no-till planters is feasible in Cambodia’s small farming systems although more research is needed to study long-term effects on crop yields and soil health. Keywords: Battambang Province, Conservation agriculture, Green manure, Soil improvements

To evaluate the suitable and promising irrigation management practices in different crop establishment methods, Field experiment was carried out Crop Research Station, (ANDUAT), Masodha, Ayodha. To assess the agronomic efficiency, plant water potential and water use efficiency under irrigation management practices along with Split plot design was adopted with 3 main plots of irrigation management {i1: Flooding throughout crop growth (3 +/- 2 cm), i2: Saturation maintenance up to PI and (3 +/- 2 cm) after PI and i3: Alternate wetting and drying (irrigation at 5-7 days interval with 5 cm/ha of water (5 cm irrigation at 3 DADPW) up to PI and (3 +/- 2 cm) after PI} and 6 subplots of crop establishment methods {T1: Mechanical Transplanting method on puddled soil (crop management methods same as for puddled transplanted rice), T2: Direct wet seeding on puddled soil (Use of Drum seeder/ dibbling of sprouted seed at 25 x 25 cm) fb crop management practices as per direct wet seeded rice, T3: Normal hand transplanting (20 x15 cm with flooding water management, 3-4 seedlings transplanted at 25-30 days old seedlings), T4: Aerobic rice T5: Direct broadcast dry seeding on well prepared unpuddled soil fb crop management practices for direct dry drill seeded rice and T6: Optional- Location specific} of three replication. The highest grain yield was recorded at saturation with use of drum seeder 5.44 t/ha, followed by transplanting 4.38 t/ha crop establishment. The different method of irrigation recorded maximum mean highest garin yield (3.98 t) followed by alternate waiting and drying.

The current paper has presented the study results of the collection varieties of hull-less spring barley according to grain quality indices (protein, starch, lysine and s-glucan). The initial material for the for the varieties' study in the conditions of the south of the Rostov region were than 100 varieties and lines of hull-less barley developed in the Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution “FRC All-Russian Institute of Plant Genetic Resources named after N. I. Vavilov”. The study was carried out in the crop rotation of the department of barley breeding and seed production of the FSBSI “Agricultural Research Center “Donskoy” in 2016-2018. The purpose of the study was to scrutinize quality indices of the hull-less barley varieties. The trials were carried out according to the Methodology of the State Variety Testing. The accounting area of the plot was 10 m 2 , the seeding rate was 450 germinating grains per 1 m 2 , the standard variety ‘Ratnik’ was sown in 20 numbers with single sequence. The sowing was carried out with the seeder Wintershteiger Plotseed S; the harvesting was conducted with the combine Wintershteiger-Classik. The qualitative indices were determined according to generally accepted GOST standards. During the study under contrasting weather conditions, there have been identified the samples with increased indices of protein, lysine, starch and s-glucan. In 2016 the variety ‘Golozerny’ (RF) was characterized by a high content of lysine and s-glucan. In 2018 the samples ‘K-3800’ (Ukraine) and ‘Nigohodaka’ (Japan) combined a high content of several indices. Throughout three years of study, according to seed protein percentage, there has been identified the sample ‘Nigohadaka’ (Japan), which showed consistently high values of this trait. According to starch content there has been identified the sample ‘CDC Dawn’ (Canada). During the years of study, it was possible to trace that there were the advantages of hull-less samples according to quality indices over the unhulled standard variety. There could be made the conclusion that hull-less barley can be used in hybridization to improve quality.

Aim. The aim of the article is to describe lentil seeds as an essential source of nutrition for the population of our planet; substantiate the need to introduce this crop to rotation in arid conditions of the steppe zone of Ukraine. Methods. Field research was conducted in the central area of Odesa region, which is characterized by high air temperatures and a significant deficit of soil moisture. Accessions were sewn by hand in two-meter rows, the control nursery – by a breeding seeder „Klen-1.5C”. During the growing season, the dates of emergence, the beginning and end of flowering, full ripening, resistance to disease and lodging were noted. In the laboratory, the estimated plants' height, the number of the first and second-order branches, the number of beans and seeds per plant, and the mass of seeds per plant were evaluated in the collected cultivars. Results. Based on a three-year study, significant genetic variability in the duration of the growing season and its phases, elements of productivity, resistance to lodging and disease were identified. The most effective forms that come from different countries had been described. Attention is paid to the Canadian gene pool of lentil, which was distinguished by high seed productivity, drought resistance, increased attachment of the lower beans from the soil surface. The results of competitive variety testing of the best forms are given, which testify to the significant prospect of lentil in the steppe zone. Conclusions. Among the 290 foreign accessions of lentil, sources with a set of economically valuable traits were identified. We recommend to use them as parental forms for creating a new breeding material.

For sowing small seeds of vegetables, in particular onions, special seeders are used. They are not produced in the Republic of Uzbekistan, while many diff erent pneumatic seeders are produced abroad. The authors note that foreign samples are complex in design, not adapted to local soil and climatic conditions, cannot provide even seed placement on ridges, and the cost of the seeders themselves and service are very high.(Research purpose) To develop a vegetable seeder in relation to the soil and climatic conditions of Uzbekistan, to determine the seeding rate of onion seeds depending on the length of the active part of the seed reel, to evaluate the formation quality of sowing ridges and irrigation furrows.(Materials and methods) The authors determined the sowing rate by turning the seeder drive wheel at a given length of the active part of the sowing reel and collecting the sown seeds in cups with further weighing. The quality of sowing ridges and irrigation furrows formation was evaluated by the method of profi ling the fi eld before and after the seeder’s pass.(Results and discussion) The authors developed a vegetable seeder that performed three operations in one pass: cutting irrigation furrows, forming sowing ridges of a trapezoidal shape and sowing onion seeds and other small-seeded vegetable crops in a three-row tape method in each tape. They found that the dependence of the seeding rate on the length of the active part of the reel had a slightly fragile parabolic shape, and the required seeding rates – 24-48 pieces per linear meter (3.9-7.8 kilograms per hectare) – were provided with the length of the sowing reel 3.3- 6.2 millimeters. It was proved that the seeder provided a high-quality formation of sowing ridges and irrigation furrows: the row spacing was 68.8 centimeters (installation spacing – 70 centimeters), the top ridge width was 42.5 centimeters (the predetermined one was 40 centimeters), the depth of irrigation furrows was on average 9.6 centimeters.(Conclusions) A vegetable seeder was developed for sowing small-seeded vegetable crops with the simultaneous formation of sowing ridges and cutting irrigation furrows, which ensured high-quality performance of all operations and observance of onion seeds.

Physical and frictional properties of black gram seeds play an essential role in designing a seeder in order to decide cell size, shape, thickness of metering disc and material, inclination of seed hopper. The present study aimed to determine the physical and frictional properties of black gram seeds of three varieties viz., VBN 6, ADT 5 & T9. Length, breadth, thickness, roundness, thousand seed weight, geometric mean diameter, sphericity were evaluated for designing metering disc of seeder. Bulk density, true density, angle of repose, coefficient of restitution and coefficient of static friction were evaluated for designing seed hopper of seeder. Cell diameters and thickness of the seed metering discs were designed based on the maximum breadth and length of seeds. Seed flow through the various components of the seeder were affected by both roundness and sphericity. Roundness of VBN 6, ADT 5 and T9 were 0.52, 0.49 and 0.51 respectively, while sphericity in the natural rest position of these seeds were 0.85±0.05, 0.85±0.06 and 0.85±0.04 respectively. The slope of the seed hopper was fixed at 30⁰, which is moderately higher than the average angle of repose of seeds for ensuring free flow of seeds. Mild steel sheet of material grade Fe 410 and 18 gauge i.e., 1.214mm thickness was selected for seed hopper in reference to the coefficient of static friction to other materials (Al, GI, SS & wood). In addition, the inner bottom surface of the seed hopper from where the seed enters into metering disc was imbedded with 3mm thick rubber sheet as its coefficient of restitution was lower than mild steel sheet of same thickness at different heights. It was observed that the average coefficient of restitution values of three varieties (VBN 6, ADT 5 & T9) were 4.2, 2.8, 2.8, 2.9, 2.9 & 2.1 times lower in rubber sheet compared to MS sheet at the heights of 50, 100, 150, 200, 250 & 300 mm respectively.

The results of the study of the strip method of sowing soybeans in the southern regions of Amur region are presented. The field study was carried out in 2017–2019 on meadow chernozem soil. The experiment in studying the width of strip for sowing soybean and rapeseed included the following options: 20 cm soybean sowing strips, with rape sown between them (strips of 20, 40 and 60 cm); control – 30 cm soybean sowing strips, with rapeseed sown between them (strips of 30, 60 and 90 cm). The experiment in establishing the frequency of mowing a mulching crop in different phases of soybean development included the following options: 1) once – in the phase of the third triple leaf, 2) once – in the phase of the beginning of branching, 3) twice – in the phase of the third triple leaf and the beginning of branching, 4) twice – in the phase of the third triple leaf and in the phase of pod formation, 5) control – mulch was mowed during soybean harvesting. In the experiments, the area of the registration plot was 54 m 2 , the replication of the experiment was threefold. Sowing of Lazurnaya soybeans was carried out on May 24–25 by a KMFA-3.6 seeder with a seed shoe of 20 cm and 30 cm wide. Changing rape sowing strip from 20 cm to 40 cm and from 30 cm to 60 cm significantly increased the mass of plant residues by 8.6–7.7%. The highest yield of soybeans was achieved when it was sown with a strip of 20 cm and an inter-strip space of 40 cm, the yield increase was 0.82 t/ha. The yield of soybeans increases by 0.19–0.25 t/ha with two-fold mowing of rapeseed. It is effective to mow rapeseed with the interval from the phase of the third triple leaf to the branching of soybean plants. In the technology of cultivation of soybeans with the mow-till method, a basic sowing strip width of 20 cm is recommended for the main crop. Mowing soybean in rapeseed strips using the mow-till method allows to avoid herbicides and ensure the production of environmentally friendly soybean products.

The current paper has presented the study results of correlation between productivity and morphobiological traits of the collection peas samples. The study was carried out at the FSBSI “AgriculturalResearchCenter“Donskoy”, located in the southern part of theRostovregion. The purpose of the study was to analyze the correlation between the quantitative traits of collection peas samples and their productivity. The study of the pea collection was conducted in the collection nursery of pea in 2017–2019, in accordance with the IPI methodology for the study of legumes (1975), the methodology of the State Commission for Variety Testing of Agricultural Crops (2019) and the methodology of a fi trial (2012). The objects of the study were 100 samples of pea of domestic and foreign breeding taken from the world collection of VIGR named after N. I. Vavilov. The variety “Aksaysky Usaty5”was used as a standard variety. The forecrop was winter wheat. The sowing of the collection samples was carried out in the third decade of March with the SSFK-7 seeder, with a seeding rate of million germinating seeds per1 ha, with a row width of15 cm. The plots contained seven rows. The plot area was5 m2 with a single repetition. The registration plot was0.25 m2. There has been identifi that in 2017-2019 the average productivity ranged from 1.12 t/ha (“Omega”,Moldova) to 2.82 t/ha (“Kazanets”, Rossiya) with average 2.13 t/ha in the collection. The most productive samples were plants with a plant height of 45–55 cm, an average number of beans 2.7–3.3 pcs/plant, 1000 seed weight of 210–270 g, a vegetation period of 69–73 days, and seed weight per plant of 3.3–4.3 g, an average number of seeds 13–19 pcs/plant. The study results of correlation between productivity and morphobiological traits of the collection peas samples are going to be used as an initial material in further breeding work.

Increasing the efficiency of direct strip sowing of grass seeds by means of seeders with active furrow openers is possible when seed and fertilizer working bodies are removed from the zone of operation of disk milling cutters. A structural andtechnological scheme of the coulter group of the sod seeder for strip sowing is proposed, which consists of a milling furrowopener, fertilizer and seed coulters mounted on leashes in the form of torsion spring trailers, and a rolling roller. To ensurehigh quality multilevel sowing of grass seeds and granules of mineral fertilizers, it is necessary at the design stage to determine the length of the fertilizer coulter sides, which prevent premature shedding of soil from the furrow walls until the mineral fertilizer granules reach the bottom of the furrow, and the minimum allowable distance between the fertilizer and seedcoulters, which allows to cover the granules of mineral fertilizers with soil completely while maintaining the compact designof the coulter group. In the course of theoretical research, mathematical dependences were obtained to determine the rationalparameters and operating modes of the coulter group of the proposed design, which will ensure a minimum spread of mineralfertilizer granules over the depth of incorporation and a high stability of the soil layer thickness between mineral fertilizergranules and grass seeds. Rational parameters of the coulter group of the proposed design are determined for the range ofoperating speeds of the sod seeder for strip sowing: angle at the apex of the shank fertilizer coulter in the horizontal planeis 15-20º, the length of the fertilizer coulter sides is 0.040-0.045 m, the width of the fertilizer coulter bell is 0.02 m, minimumpermissible distance between the fertilizer and seed coulters is 0.14-0.16 м.

Field tests of a modified seed drill SZP-3.6 for sowing small-seeded crop (Сamelina sativa) were carried out and the depth of seeding, interrow spacing and the number of plants per 1 m square area were determined. Results of the testing parameters were developed by mathematical statistics method. A pilot arrangement of Luoyang LT-850+SZP-3.6 was used. Estimated drag force of attachment was Rт=205.8±40.62kg. With inter row and plant spacing at 14.87± 3.5cm and 4.64± 1.69 cm, respectively, and 21 plants in 1 m long single row, the agro-technical requirements for both attachment and plants are fully met. The measurement of performance of arrangement: Luoyang LT-850+SZP-3.6, provides an average seeding depth at h ̅=2.78cm, with mean deviation at σ_х=±0.81cm. This is 28% higher than the given agrotechnical requirement of 2cm. Moreover, an average plant density at 86±13 per m2, and 860 thousand plants per ha fall within the limits in the view of soil nutrients distribution. СЗП-3,6 үрлүүрийг жижиг үрт таримал тариалахад зориулан тоноглож туршсан дүн Жижиг үрт таримал Камилина сативаг (Сamelina sativa) тариалахад зориулж үр тарианы СЗП-3,6 үрлүүрийг үрлэх аппарат, үрийн хоолой, сошникний чиглүүлэгч болон мөр дагаж булдах булаар тоноглож талбайд туршив. Угсрааны агротехнологийн үзүүлэлтүүдийг туршилтаар тогтоож үр дүнг математик статистикийн аргаар боловсруулахад таримлын мөр хоорондын зай үр суух гүн 2.51 см, үрлүүрийн чангаах эсэргүүцэл кг, таримлын мөр хоорондын зайн дундаж утга см, ургамал хоорондын зайн утга нь см байв. Түлхүүр үг: үрлүүр, катушкин үрлэх аппарат, сошник, бул, жижиг үрт таримал

Objectives: To evaluate the performance of three (3) selected hybrid rice varieties, namely NSIC RC9 (V1), M19 (V2), M20 (V3) and one (1) inbred rice variety (M228) through minimum and conventional tillage with the use of different direct-seeding methods for seeding in aerobic condition in Kalinga, Philippines. Methods/analysis: The field experiment was laid out in a split-split-plot in RCBD with tillage, seeding method, and variety as treatments in four replications. The agronomic performance, yield performance, and energy efficiency of the rice varieties were evaluated in two cropping year from August 2013 to March 2015. Agronomic performance, such as seed emergence, height at maturity, number of productive tillers, length of panicles, percent of filled grains, weight of 1000 seeds, final grain yield of the said varieties were analyzed for each treatments. The cost effectiveness, labor productivity, and energy efficiency were also analyzed for each treatment. Findings: Generally, there are no significant differences of the selected varieties including the inbred variety in terms of seed emergence, plant height, length of panicle, productive tillers, and percent filled grains, 1000 grain weight and grain yield under tillage practices and different seeding techniques. In like manner, the agronomic and yield performance varied across varieties. Regardless of tillage practices, the varieties did not exhibit any significant differences in terms of production cost, labor productivity and energy efficiency after two cropping year. Furthermore, plastic drum seeding techniques found to be more cost effective, while Korean seeding technique had the highest labor productivity and most energy efficient. Based on the result of the study, the agronomic and yield performance of newly released varieties are comparable as to inbred varieties used while the used of plastic drum seeder had the lowest cost of production and highest overall energy ratio (OER). On the other hand, the highest labor productivity was observed from the used of Korean seeder. Novelty/improvement: This study demonstrated that selected rice varieties exhibited the same agronomic performance and yield performance under conservation and minimum tillage with different seeding techniques in Kalinga, Philippines. In addition, the production cost, labor productivity, and energy efficiency depend from seeding techniques to be employed. Keywords: Energy Efficiency, Aerobic, Tillage, Direct Seeding, Labor Productivity.

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is one of the most widely grown cereal crop in the world and increasing the grain yield is an important national goal to face the continuous increasing food needs. Technique of sowing is one of the important factors affecting the yield of wheat. Number of sowing techniques is being used by farmers. Out of which four techniques namely sowing of seed using happy seeder, super seeder, zero till drill and rotavator/disc harrows were selected. In this regard, a survey was conducted in different villages of district Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar, Punjab by Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Langroya with an objective to determine the sowing techniques used by farmers, variety grown and its effect on the yield of wheat. The results showed that major area of the district was under variety HD 3086 and Unnat PBW 343. Most of the farmers got higher yields (21-23q/acre) using Happy seeder. The lowest yield was obtained from the use of rotavators/disc harrows (16-18q/acre). Super seeder being a new technology was used by very few farmers but it has also helped in getting yields higher than zero till drill and rotavators/disc harrows.

Background. Spring bread wheat is the main export crop in Kazakhstan. Unfortunately, wheat varieties cultivated for large-scale production do not fully meet the requirements of agricultural producers. The world diversity of wheat genetic resources should be widely used in breeding programs in order to develop new wheat cultivars with stable yields and with resistance to adverse environmental factors.Materials and methods. One hundred collection accessions of spring bread wheat were studied in 2015–2017 at the A.I. Barayev Science and Production Center of Grain Farming, Ltd. Seeds were sown at an optimum time (May 20–25), using an SSFC-7 seeder. Harvesting was conducted with a Wintersteiger combine. The study of the collection material was carried out in accordance with the guidelines developed by the N.I. Vavilov Institute of Plant Genetic Resources (VIR). The protein content was measured in line with State Standard 10846-91. The method of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) sedimentation, modified by V. M. Bebyakin and M. V. Buntina, was used to measure the level of sedimentation.Results and conclusion. During the three-year study of spring bread wheat accessions in Northern Kazakhstan, only the cultivars ‘Shortandinskaya 2012’ and ‘Astana 2’ exceeded the reference ‘Astana’ in yield. The accessions ‘BW 252’, ‘Neepawa’ (Canada), ‘MANITUOU LR 13’ (CIMMYT, Mexico) and ‘Novosibirskaya 29’ (Russia) ripened 1–2 days earlier than the reference, while their average yield for 3 years was almost on the same level with the reference. The cultivars ‘Astana’ (the reference, Kazakhstan), ‘WA007824 WA7824’ (USA), ‘Novosibirskaya 29’, ‘Novosibirskaya 15’ (Russia), ‘OPATA85 LR10’ and ‘LR27+LR31,LR34’ (CIMMYT, Mexico) were distinguished for grain quality due to their high protein content and the level of sedimentation.

It is necessary to use new technologies to mitigate water scarcity in the semi-arid region. As such, the aim of this study was to evaluate the operational and energy performance of a ridge planter and fertiliser, as well as the deposition depth of maize seeds and fertiliser as a function of the sowing system, and the use of different furrowing mechanisms (disc and shank) for depositing fertilisers. The experimental design was of randomised blocks, in a 6 x 2 factorial scheme with four replications, including six sowing systems: (S1 - intercropped ridge-sown maize; S2 – monocropped ridge-sown maize; S3 - intercropped furrow-sown maize; S4 – monocropped furrow-sown maize; S5 - conventional intercropping system; S6 - conventional monocropped system) and two mechanisms for depositing the fertiliser (offset double disc and shank furrower). The statistical analysis was carried out using the SISVAR software at 5% significance. It was concluded that, irrespective of the sowing system (ridge or furrow) and mechanism employed, there is no difference in the initial plant population or in the depth of the maize seeds. However, greater attention must be paid to the depth of both the fertiliser and forage seeds when these are deposited at the same time. Sowing systems that turn the soil (furrow and ridge) consume more energy, as does the shank mechanism. Sowing system S5 affords better operating performance when used together with the disk mechanism. RESUMO A escassez hídrica na região semiárida deve ser mitigada com novas tecnologias. Diante disto, objetivou-se com o presente trabalho, avaliar o desempenho operacional e energético de uma semeadora adubadora camalhoeira, bem como a profundidade de deposição de semente de milho e fertilizante em função do sistema de semeadura e do uso de mecanismos sulcadores para deposição de fertilizantes (Disco e haste). Foi utilizado delineamento experimental em blocos casualizados, em esquema fatorial 6 x 2 com 4 repetições, com seis sistemas de semeadura: (S1 - semeadura do milho em consórcio em cima do camalhão; S2 - semeadura do milho em camalhão sem consórcio; S3 - semeadura do milho em consórcio dentro do sulco; S4 - semeadura do milho dentro do sulco sem consórcio; S5 - semeadura convencional em consórcio; S6 - semeadura convencional sem consórcio) e dois mecanismos para deposição de fertilizantes (disco duplo desencontrado e haste sulcadora). A análise estatística foi realizada utilizando o programa SISVAR a 5% de significância. Foi possível concluir que independente do sistema de semeadura (camalhão ou sulco) e mecanismo usado, não haverá diferença na população inicial de plantas e profundidade da semente de milho. No entanto, é necessário maior atenção na profundidade do fertilizante e semente de forrageira quando depositados juntos de maneira momentânea. Os sistemas de semeadura que mobilizam o solo (sulco e camalhão) apresenta maior consumo energético, assim como o mecanismo haste. O sistema de semeadura S5 apresenta melhor desempenho operacional, juntamente com o mecanismo disco.

In Huang-Huai-Hai plain of China, farmers collect the maize straw for livestock during maize harvest to increase their revenue. To maintain the sustainable productivity of the soil, all straw after the wheat harvest is returned to the field. This straw brings difficulties in the no-till seeding for maize after wheat harvest, and thus it is necessary to develop efficient no-till seeders that can cope with heavy residue and improve sowing quality. In this work, we designed a wide-strip-till no-till pneumatic maize (WNPM) seeder to satisfy the need in this plain. The key parameters of the opposite-placed anti-blocking mechanism of the WNPM seeder were determined via the discrete element method (DEM) technology, while the parameters of the pneumatic maize seed meter were specified using the coupled simulation of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and DEM. We also carried out field experiment to test the performance of our machine. Under the operating speed of 8 km/h, the soil disturbance was 38.2%. Moreover, the straw cleaning rate achieved 94.4% in the seeding belt while the residue cover index of the seed plot was over 58%, and the seeding performance was improved significantly. The qualified seed spacing index, uniformity variation coefficient, qualified index of sowing depth and variation coefficient of sowing depth were 96.6%, 19.1%, 95.1% and 3.2%, respectively. In general, the WNPM seeder improves the working efficiency of maize sowing because both the reliable working speed and the sowing quality were increased. These results are of considerable importance for crop production in Huang-Huai-Hai plain of China.

Made available in DSpace on 2022-04-28T19:51:29Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2021-07-01 Brazil stands out among the world's largest soy producers.The uniformity in the deposition of seeds and the correct distribution of plants are important factors for the crop to express its maximum productive potential. The present study aimed to evaluate the influence of the lubricant agent “graphite”, applied during and after the chemical treatment ofsoybean seeds in function ofits longitudinal distribution at different operating speeds.Forthis purpose, a seeder with mechanical type feeder was used, at three working speeds: 4, 6 and 8 km h-1 and conducted in a strip design, organized in a 2x3 factorial scheme, with two different modes of application of graphite and 3 operating speeds. The results presented showed that the addition of graphite concomitantly with the seed treatment,increases the unevenness of sowing, the same occurs in relation to the increase in the speed of operation. Graphite loses lubricating action when added to the seed treatment, increasing the number of failures. Universidade Estadual Paulista Júlio de Mesquita Filho Câmpus de Botucatu, São Paulo Universidade Estadual Paulista Júlio de Mesquita Filho Câmpus de Botucatu, São Paulo

Establishment of switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) is challenging, and failure in establishment may expose growers to considerable economic risk. The objectives of this research were to (i) evaluate whether management practices are variety-specific for the establishment of switchgrass and (ii) assess the effectiveness of cover crops as preceding crops on ‘Shawnee’ switchgrass establishment. Therefore, two studies were conducted at the University of Massachusetts Agricultural Experiment Station in Deerfield, MA, USA, in the 2011–2012 and 2012–2013 growing seasons. In Experiment 1, cover crop treatments (fallow, oat (Avena sativa L.) and rye (Secale cereale L.)) were the main plots, the two seeding methods (no-till drill and a cultipacker seeder (Brillion)) were the sub-plots, and the two varieties (‘Cave-in-Rock’ (CIR) and Shawnee)) were the sub-sub-plots. The second study was conducted using Shawnee switchgrass and involved the three cover crop treatments used in Experiment 1 using a cultipacker seeder with seed firming prior to planting but not afterwards (consistent in both experiments). The results indicated that a combination of oat and no-till resulted in higher tiller density (493%), lower weed biomass (77%), increased switchgrass biomass (SGB) (283%) and SGB to weed biomass (WB) ratio. Compared with Shawnee, CIR planted into a winter-killed oat residue had higher tiller density (93%), lower weed biomass (18%), higher switchgrass yield (128%) and thus a greater SGB:WB ratio (507%). Trends of switchgrass response to management practices, however, were similar between the two varieties, indicating that seed quality rather than management practices could influence switchgrass’s response to management practices. In Experiment 2, Shawnee tiller density was suppressed by rye as the preceding crop, possibly due to late termination of rye. Shawnee switchgrass yields were below 1000 kg ha−1 under all management practices, thus, harvesting should happen in the year following establishment. Future research should focus on comparing no-till drilling with cultipacker seeder with rolling not only before but after seeding to increase seed–soil contact.

Purpose and objectives - to determine the breeding value of spring barley cultivars and lines.Materials and methods: Twenty-two cultivars and 3 lines of spring barley were taken as the test material. The field experiments were carried out in the competitive variety trial nursery in compliance with the method of state variety trials. The forecrop was grain pea. The plot area was 10 m2; the experiments were carried out in 4 replications. Barley was sown with a breeding seeder SSFK-7. The yield, growing period length, lodging resistance, performance and its structural elements were determined. Calculus of variations analysis of variance were performed in STATISTICA 10 and EXCEL as BA Dospekhov described.Results and discussion: The peculiarities of 22 cultivars and 3 lines of spring barley were described by expression levels of the following quantitative traits: morpho-biological (performance, total and productive tillering capacity, spikelet and grain number per spike, spike length, grain weight from the main ear and lateral stalks) and economic (yield, growing period length, lodging resistance) ones.The variability of quantitative traits of the accessions under investigation was determined. In particular, the plant height variability was low (9.5%), the spike length and grain weight from the main spike variabilities were medium (15.6 and 19.5%, respectively), and the variability of other traits were high.The analysis distinguished intensive high-yielding cultivars Margret, Grace, Avhur, Datcha, Khors, and Troian and the line 14-561 (5.07–4.84 t/ha); lodging-resistant cultivars Amil, Troian (Lider), Datcha, and Grace and line 15-139; and high performance cultivars Amil, Khors, Hatunok, Akhiles, and Krasen.Conclusions. As a result of determining the characteristics of the spring barley accessions with high levels of expression of quantitative morpho-biological and economic traits, the breeding value of cultivars and lines suitable for combination breeding was evaluated.

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) production in South Asia is increasingly threatened by the erratic nature of onset of monsoon rain and climate change. Wide variance in rainfall pattern affects the timing of nursery raising and transplanting later in the main field. Existing rice cultivation practices such as direct seeded rice using drum seeder (DSR), system of rice intensification (SRI) and conventional transplanting (CT) are not able to address the production problems adequately. Therefore, we developed a package of practices - Climate Change-Resilient Rice Production Technology (CRRPT) - which allows keeping rice seedlings in the seedbed for an extended period to synchronize with the onset of monsoon rain. On-station trials during 2015-2016 comparing CRRPT with DSR, SRI and CT demonstrated that in CRRPT the seedlings can be maintained successfully in the seedbed for up to 55 days while achieving the equivalent yield of CT (30 days seedling) because of improved plant vigour. The CRRPT seedlings of 25 d and 35 d gave 22% and 11% more yield compared to CT (30 d seedling). Total water requirement in CRRPT was reduced by 20%, 14% and 13% in case of 55d, 45d and 35 d seedling, respectively, compared to that for CT (30 d seedling). In an on-farm study with 120 farmers’ fields in West Bengal during 2017-2018, average yield increased by 32% and net profit increased by 96%. Thus, CRRPT is remunerative, water efficient, climate change-resilient and can be easily adopted in the farmers’ fields. Results demonstrate that there is wide scope for its adoption for sustainable rice production in West Bengal and South Asia.

The long-term field experience has been carried out in the LLC Farm Enterprise “Partner”, Mikhailovsky District of the Altai Region, one of the basic sites of the “Kulunda” project. The field experience was founded in 2013, implemented over the next four years in a similar way; the alternation of crops was carried out in accordance to the crop rotation. In total, there were four sets of experiments in eight variants in triple number of replications. There were four variants of row spacing implemented: 25.0 cm, 33.3 cm, 37.5 cm, and 50.0 cm. We also used two seeding rates for every crop: spring wheat - 75 and 120 kg/ha; rapeseed – 2 and 4 kg/ha; peas – 140 and 180 kg/ha. The sowing was made with an expimental grain seeder “Cornor-DMC” with chisel-shaped copying coulters, the “Amazone” company production. Combine harvesters “Lexion” (peas and rapeseed) and “Sampo” (wheat) carried out harvesting in August-September. As an object of research, the technological process of cultivation of agricultural crops in the crop rotation of spring wheat–pea–spring wheat–rape was considered. The influence of the row spacing and the seeding rate on the yield was evaluated. An increase in row spacing from 25 cm to 50 cm leads to an almost linear decrease in the yield of crops. The increasing of the seeding rate in the studied limits leads to the yield enhancement. The obtained data will allow substantiating the rational row spacing, design of the sowing complex and seeding rate. This is extremely important for introducing the “No-Till” technology in the arid steppe of the Altai Region. Key words: Row spacing; Seeding rate; Crop yield; “No-Till” technology; Agriculture References Belyaev, V.I., Meinel, T., Kozhanov, S.A., Tissen, R., Belyaev, V.V., Kozhanov, N.A. (2014). International project "Kulunda": the rationale for innovative machinery and technology systems for the cultivation of crops for the steppe zone of the Altai Region. Agrarian Science for Agriculture. Proceed. IX Int. Sc. Conf. Barnaul (in Russian). Belyaev V.I., Meinel T., Grunwald L., Schmidt G., Bondarovich A.A., Shcherbinin V.V., Ponkina E.V., Matsyura A.V., Stefan E., Illiger P., Kozhanov N.A., Rudev N.V. (2016). The water regime of the soil and the yield of agricultural crops under various cultivation technologies in the Kulunda steppe of the Altai Region. News of Dnepropetrovsk University. Biology. Ecology, 24(2), 531-539. (in Russian). DOI: https://doi.org/10.15421/011672 Belyaev V.I., Bondarovich A.A., Ponkina E.V., Shcherbinin V.V., Schmidt G., Matsyura A.V., Kozhanov S.A., Rudev N.V. (2017a). The temperature regime of air and soil according to the meteorological and soil-hydrological monitoring network in the Kulunda plain during the vegetation periods of 2013-2016. Bulletin of the Altai State Agricultural University, 3(149), 30-36. (in Russian). Belyaev, V.I., Sokolova, L.V., Kuznecov, V.N., Matsyura, A.V. (2017b). Effect of sowingaggregates on sowing quality of spring soft wheat (the case of moderate dry-forest steppe, Altay region). Ukrainian Journal of Ecology, 7(3), 258-263. (in Russian). DOI: https://doi.org/10.15421/2017_77 Belyaev, V.I., Rudev, N.V., Maynel, T., Kozhanov S.A., Sokolova L. V., Matsyura, A.V. (2017c). Effect of sowing aggregates for direct sowing, sowing seeding rates and doses of mineral fertilizers on spring wheat yield in the dry steppe of Altai Krai. Ukrainian Journal of Ecology, 7(4), 145-150. (in Russian). DOI: https://doi.org/10.15421/2017_77

A field experiment was conducted during Rabi 2015-16, 2016-17 and 2017-18 by Krishi Vigyan Kendra Muktsar, to find out the performance of happy seeder machine for sowing of wheat after rice crop. Happy seeder tackles the problem of paddy straw which can convert this waste into resource. In the area, farmers generally burn rice residues because they felt that it interferes with tillage and seeding operations for the succeeding crops and it has no much economical use. The average grain yield revealed that happy seeder sown crop gave 47.5 q/ha grain yield as compared to 49.6 q/ha in conventional sown method. Net return was calculated during all the years. Happy seeder sown crop gave higher net return (Rs 55279.2/ha) from conventional method (Rs. 52189.7/ha). Net return was higher due to less cost of cultivation (Rs. 22325/ha) from Rs 28641.6/ha under conventional sowing method. So with Happy seeder, low cost of production with respect to conventional tillage system gave maximum net return and it is a cost effective technology. The cost of cultivation in happy seeder was also lesser than conventional method mainly due to less cost on tillage preparation, saving in weedicides, fertilizers etc. Farmers are more interested in variable costs and economic return of newly introduced enterprises. Economic analysis assists researches to plan their research for detailed investigation and to make decision, so that it may be recommended to the farmers. So, economic analysis is essential to check the profitability and net return of the system.

Air pollution from crop residue burning in India is an environmental menace that makes headlines every year – is a major ill effect of farm mechanization. Keeping the severity of the problem in view, KVK, Rohtas introduced happy seeder in Rabi 2016-17 with objective to assess its suitability for crop residue management. The intensively cultivated irrigated rice–wheat area is fundamental to employment, income and livelihoods for about three million population of the district. Happy seeder of Kamboj make, Zero-till machine of National make and local made seed drill were used for comparative study of residue management. Seed drill was used where rice residue were completely burned before sowing. Zero-till machine was used where about 50% residue was remais after buring. The significant change were observed in plant population, bundel weight and grain yield in these trials with respect to farmers practice. It is concluded that happy seeder not only improves the farmers income but also conserve the most of the production inputs. Reduction in green house gass emission, nutrient recycling, soil health improvemnt are added advantages of happy seeder technology.

S. Wright’s analysis of plant productivity is of great current interest. The research objective was to determine the pair correlation coefficients and S. Wright’s path coefficients for rice varieties and, on their basis, to identify the contribution of each of them to the plant productivity. Ten rice varieties were taken as the test material. The experiments were conducted in the irrigated experimental field of theInstituteofRiceof the National Academy of Agrarian Sciences ofUkrainein 2013, 2014 and 2016. Seeds were sown with an SKS-6A manual seeder; the seeding rate was 7.0 mln germinable seeds per hectare. The predecessor was alfalfa. The plot area was5 m2; the sowing distance was15 cm. The plants were analyzed for the following traits: plant productivity (grain weight), panicle weight, grain weight from side stems, productive tillering capacity, grain number per panicle, spikelet number per panicle, 1000-grain weight, grain weight per panicle, plant height, panicle length and density, empty spikelet number per panicle, and incidence of blind seed disease. Pair correlation coefficients were determined by B.A. Dospekhov’s method; path analysis, by S. Wright’s method. The correlations of productivity with 12 quantitative traits of rice were determined: the correlation was close with the grain weight from side stems and medium with the panicle weight and with the grain weight per panicle. Path analysis of the plant productivity established that the correlations of plant traits with the productivity depended both on direct and indirect effects of each trait on the productivity. The relative contribution of each of the studied 12 traits to the rice productivity was determined; both direct and indirect effects of their interactions with other traits were evaluated. This made it possible to discover causes and consequences of interrelations between the traits and, as a result, to choose valuable-for-selection traits, such as panicle weight and productive tillering capacity, which had the greatest direct effects on the productivity and significant correlations with it.

Small‐seeded species are an integral component of many natural systems. However, small‐seeded species are often omitted from restoration projects due to limited flow through seeders, low broadcast distance, and inconsistent seeding rates. To address these problems, we developed a novel technique within a rotary coater that allows for the conglomeration of small, low‐purity seeds using a combination of clay, compost, water, and a polymer binder. We used Wyoming big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis), which has a seed size of approximately 1 mm or less, as a model species to evaluate the technology. We demonstrated improved flowability of conglomerates over untreated (control) seeds through measurements of the Hausner ratio (8% decrease), the angle of repose (21% decrease), and delivery through a broadcast seeder. Seeding rates of conglomerated seed were more consistent than control seed over rugged terrain. Conglomerates were also broadcast 2.2 times further than control seed, which may mitigate the overall cost of implementing this technology. Laboratory trials demonstrated that the final germination of conglomerated seed averaged 15% higher than control seed. Field trials at two sites demonstrated that seedling emergence was similar for control and conglomerated seed. With no deleterious effects observed from the conglomeration treatment, additional research is merited for using conglomerates as a platform to apply various additives, such as fungicides, plant growth hormones, fertilizers, and biologicals. The potential outcomes of these strategies may have a significant impact on future seeding attempts by improving seed delivery and increasing overall seeding success.

The production of grain crops forms the basis of not only crop production, but also the entire agricul-tural production. The intensification of production is one of the main measures to increase the yield of cultivated crops. Existing designs of sowing machines do not always meet agrotechnical requirements. Fertilization when sown together with seeds in one row, due to the risk of salt effect and toxic effects of mineral fertilizers, leads to the death of seedlings and, accordingly, to a reduction in field germination and, as a consequence, a decrease in yield. Therefore, the most effective is separate from the seeds of multi-level application of mineral fertilizers. We have developed a combined coulter, which performs two line sowing of grain with a sieving width of 50 mm with a distance between lines of 80 mm, with simultaneous introduction of a starting dose of fertilizers, while mineral fertilizers are placed below the seed level by 0,04 m, which eliminates contact between the seeds and fertilizer when sowing. A two-year comparative field research of factor work of seed drills with serial coulters SKP-2,1 and SKP-2,1M with converted coulters for multi-level sowing and mineral fertilizers showed that the planter with experimental coulters more evenly seals seeds at a depth of 5,40 cm with a standard deviation of 0,48 cm, while at the sowing of a serial seeder this figure was 6,13 cm and 0,66 cm. When sowing with a seeder with combined coulters, the average field germination of soft spring wheat was 94,1 %, against 80 % when sowing with a serial seeder. For all sowing options with both drills and simultaneous introduction of a starting dose of fertilizers with different rates of 100, 150 and 200 kg/ha, an increase in the yield of wheat grain was obtained on average from 9 to 22 % in comparison with the sowing without fertilizer. A substantial increase in grain yield of 0,52 t/ha or 22 % was obtained with the introduction of a starting dose of mineral fertilizers 150 kg/ha with a seeder with openers for multi-level placement of fertilizers in comparison with the control sowing without fertilizers.

Goal. To develop on the basis of complex system of observations, estimation of agroclimatic indicators, patterns of growth and development of plants of the first and second years of life, adaptive technology of growing mother roots and seed bearers under the conditions of the Central Forest Steppe of Ukraine. Methods. Laboratory, field, statistical. Results. The biological potential of modern varieties and hybrids of fodder beet to some extent is realized by using high quality seeds, which is caused by a complex of ecological-biotic and anthropogenic factors. Important factors affecting seed quality have been identified: laboratory and field germination. Its level depends on the duration of emergence and completeness of the seedlings, the uniformity of plants in the row and, ultimately, their seed productivity. The calculations of the main indicators of adaptive technology of cultivation of mother roots and seed bearers are the following: the yield of mother roots increased by 2.7 times, the preservation in storage by 7.7%, seed yield by 0.4 t/ha, germination by 8%, weight of 1000 seed clusters by 1.2 g compared to conventional technology. Conclusions. The cultivation of mother roots and seed bearers of fodder beet varieties and hybrids should be carried out according to adaptive technology, which provides: 1) sowing of seeds in the summer (early-mid June) with SST-12B seeder with a device for simultaneous separation of the main seeds by specific weight, 15–20 seeds/m, with an interval of 22.5 cm; 2) storage of mother roots in storages and containers equipped with plastic film with holes; 3) using planter VPS-2,8A and seeding on the background of 50 t/ha of manure + and design 70 × 20–70 × 30 cm; 4) seed treatment during mass formation of the stem; 5) additional pollination during the mass flowering period.

Suitable tillage and seeding strategies for wheat can be used to combat excessive residues and poor soil conditions in harvested rice fields. This study investigated the effects of different tillage (zero tillage and rotary tillage) and seeding methods on wheat growth, grain yield, nitrogen (N) uptake and utilization, and economic benefit when the soil moisture was high during the tillage and seeding practices. In 2016–2017, three seeders were tested: SM1-1, SM2, and SM3; in 2017–2018, four seeders were tested: SM1-2, SM2, SM3, and SM4. Although the soil moisture was different between years, zero tillage could be used to reduce the sowing depth, which facilitated early-phase wheat growth and N uptake compared with rotary tillage, resulting in higher grain yield, NUpE, and net return. In 2016–2017 (high wet soil), a small-size seeder (SM1-1) with sowing near the soil surface facilitated higher grain yield, NUpE, and net returns compared with the other seeders; in 2017–2018 (low wet soil), medium-size seeders (SM3 and SM4) were more suitable than small-size seeders (SM1-2 and SM2). In both years, the seeders that performed the best mainly improved the spike numbers while increasing N uptake, especially after anthesis. Zero tillage lowered input costs, but small-size seeders did not reduce costs due to the higher labor costs associated with their low working efficiency. Improving net returns depends largely on increasing yield. In conclusion, zero tillage is recommended for wheat production in harvested rice fields with a high soil moisture content, but the suitable seeding method needs to be confirmed according to the soil moisture content.

The research aims to develop a seed drill for precise seeding on a ridge with drip irrigation. The basic principles and methods of classical mechanics, mathematical analysis, and statistics were used in this study. The existing technologies of sowing cotton seeds are analyzed. The authors have developed a method of seeding the cotton on the crest with drip irrigation and drill for its implementation, including the working body for fertilizer, shaper gasket comb attached to him Coulter, sigortac for seeding, packer roller, device for laying irrigation hose, and sigortac for sealing hose soil. Combining the operations of sowing cotton seeds with the simultaneous formation of ridges, fertilizing, and drip irrigation helps to reduce labor costs and increase the yield of raw cotton. This reduces the consumption of irrigation water, simplifies the design of the irrigation hose, and increases its service life

Most of the technologies for increasing the productivity of natural fodder lands are based on a combination of suppression of their biocenoses by herbicides with slicing in the furrow sod and sowing grass seeds in them. An alternative to them is strip sowing with processing in the sod of a strip of soil, the parameters of which ensure the successful development of shoots without the use of herbicides. To implement this technology, a family of SDK seed drills with milling coulters has been developed. To improve the quality of soil cultivation, double-disc milling tools with L-shaped knives and plate knives have been developed. The influence of the kinematic regime and the type of the working element on the parameters of the strip width and the crumbling of the soil of the developed and serial milling working organs was studied. The best cutter is provided by a milling opener with plate knives, with the content of the fraction up to 3 mm increasing by 12.5%, 3 10 mm from 22,5 to 30% increasing with the increase of the kinematic regime. The crumbling of the soil with double-disc milling openers is more intensive due to the doubled number of cutting elements, which allows to reduce their circumferential speed without affecting the quality of processing.

The use of native grasses for both restoration and commercial purposes is becoming increasingly important globally. Many native grasses have limited success in seed‐based restoration (e.g. post‐mine rehabilitation) and commercial industries (e.g. agriculture) due to poor seed germination and handling. Seed‐enhancement technologies can assist in overcoming these barriers. This study aimed to use combinations of seed enhancements to overcome the germination and handling challenges in two dominant Australian native grass species with demand in restoration and commercial industries (Triodia wiseana C.A Gardner and Rytidosperma caespitosum [Gaudich.] Connor & Edgar). Selected enhancements included hydropriming (including inoculation with karrikinolide [KAR₁]), flash flaming, and seed coating. Combinations of these seed enhancements allowed improvements in both germination (by up to 55% and 18% for T. wiseana and R. caespitosum, respectively) and floret geometry (flowability, as measured through a mechanized seeder, improved by up to 6‐fold and 17‐fold for T. wiseana and R. caespitosum, respectively), with the order of enhancement application being important. The responses of each species to enhancements corresponded with key biological processes and ecological cues required for recruitment events in nature, such as fire and rainfall events. Triodia wiseana germination was driven by fire‐related cues (i.e. KAR₁, flaming), while R. caespitosum germination was highest in response to moisture‐related cues (i.e. hydro‐priming). Responses to seed enhancements (and combinations of) may have implications for the management and scaled use of the targeted species. This can assist in improving the restoration and commercial success of the study species, and potentially other grasses with germination and handling challenges, into the future.

The displacement velocity of the tractor-seeder set, associated with the furrowing mechanism, influences the plant distribution and the establishment of a correct plant stand in the field. The objective of this study was to evaluate the operational performance of a seeder-fertilizer in the non-tillage sunflower crop, according to sowing speeds and furrow mechanisms. The experimental design used was the randomized blocks, with treatments arranged in a split-plot scheme, where the plots were the furrowing mechanisms (chisel openers and double disk) and the subplots were the sowing speeds (3.2; 4.6; 6.2 and 7.0km h-1), with three replicates. The following were determined in this study: the emergence speed index, the emergence in the field, the average distance between the plants, plant height, plant population and the longitudinal distribution of plants. Sunflower sowing using a chisel openers provides greater emergence in the field, emergence speed index and, consequently, greater plant population. Sowing speed ranging from 3.2 to 7.0km h-1 do not influence field emergence, emergence speed index, height and population of sunflower plants.

Rice wheat cropping system prevailed in more than fifty percent areas of rice belt of central and upper Punjab. In this area yield of wheat is curtailed every year due to late harvesting of rice crop. In addition to this, lack of machinery for direct sowing of wheat into combine harvested rice is a major limitation for timely wheat sowing due to presence of heavy straw load dropped by the combine harvester. A field experiment was planned and executed during two consecutive years 2017-18 and 2018-19 at Agronomic Research Station Farooqabad to evaluate the various stubble management techniques for the sowing of wheat in a rice-wheat cropping system. The Experiment consist of four treatments Happy seeder (Zero tillage), conventional sowing without burning of rice stubble, Rotavator two times, and Conventional sowing with the burning of rice stubble. The trail was arranged as a Randomized Complete Block Design with four replications having a net plot size of 8 m x 20 m. The Treatments have significant effects on Plant height, Number of productive tillers, 1000- grain weight, and grain yield. Maximum plant height (94.74 and 94.25 cm), numbers of productive tillers/m2 (324.00 and 322.25), 1000-grain weight (36.35 and 36.20 g), grain yield (3780 and 3613 kg/ha), and benefit-cost ratio (2.54 and 2.43) were recorded from the treatment happy seeder (Zero tillage) during both years respectively. It is concluded that the sowing of wheat with a happy seeder (Zero tillage) is an appropriate technique in the rice-wheat cropping system by protecting the environment and soil health from the burning of rice stubbles.

The dispersion of clothianidin from treated seeds was studied in a commercial winter canola field. During planting, using a John Deere 1890 single disk air seeder, a proportion, an estimated 14.2 ± 2.9% (mean ± standard error), of the clothianidin that was applied to the seed escaped into the atmosphere from the seeder's exhaust. We suggest that this source of environmental contamination may be the main contributor that explains the off-target detection of neonicotinoid residues in soils and water near canola plantings better than movement from seed after it is placed in the soil, which is often proposed in the literature. Environ Toxicol Chem 2020;39:2420-2423. © 2020 SETAC.

The objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of seeder furrow opening mechanisms on soil physical characteristics, plant growth, and soybean yield in lowland areas with the presence of compacted layer near the surface. An experiment was conducted in the lowland experimental area of the Federal University of Santa Maria-RS, Brazil, during the 2015/16 and 2016/17 growing season. The experimental design was a randomized block with five replications and four treatments: Planter using shank (S) at 0.23 m depth; S at 0.13 m; Planter using double disk at 0.07 m depth and Raised-bed + S at 0.12 m depth. The use of S at 0.23 m depth allowed reduction of penetration resistance and increase of soil macroporosity in the layers 0-0.1 and 0.1-0.2 m depth in the seeding row. Sowing with S at 0.23 m depth and Raised-bed + S at 0.12 m depth allowed a better development of soybean plants in compacted irrigated rice area (higher nodulation, leaf area index and root growth), as well as higher grain yield. RESUMO: O trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o efeito de mecanismos sulcadores da semeadora sobre características físicas do solo, crescimento de plantas e produtividade de soja em área de terras baixas com presença de camada compactada. Para isso, foi conduzido um experimento na área de várzea da Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, durante as safras agrícolas 2015/16 e 2016/17. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o de blocos ao acaso, com cinco repetições e quatro tratamentos, sendo eles: Haste sulcadora (HS) a 0.23 m de profundidade; HS a 0.13 m; Disco duplo a 0.07 m e Microcamalhão+HS a 0.12 m. A utilização da HS a 0.23 m possibilitou o aumento da macroporosidade e a redução da resistência à penetração mecânica do solo nas camadas de 0-0.1 e 0.1-0.2 m de profundidade na linha de semeadura. A semeadura com HS a 0.23 m e Microcamalhão+HS a 0.12 m viabilizam melhor desenvolvimento das plantas de soja em área de terras baixas compactada (maior nodulação, índice de área foliar e crescimento radicular), bem como maior produtividade de grãos.

The unsystematic use of mountain pastures with overgrazing of grasses has led to a change in the ecological balance of agrolandscapes, in which 80-85% of the Central Caucasus lands have turned into a state of varying degrees of degradation. In these cases, an important measure in the restoration of degraded mountain forage lands is the sowing of perennial grasses into sparse grass and on bare soil, which increases stiffness. Therefore, the development and creation of a seeder for targeted seeding of grass mixtures in solving the problem is relevant. The authors of the article have developed a new resource-saving way to improve mountain forage lands using a modernized seeder. Tests and studies were carried out at a mountain hospital, located on the southeastern exposition of the Dargavs depression of the North Ossetia-Alania, at an altitude of 1650 m above sea level. It was found that at a concentration of 17.2 MJ of energy in 1 kg of dry matter of feed, the total collection in the control plot was 29.7 GJ, and in the seeded experimental field 85.3 GJ. At the same time, the formation of a dense sod with the accumulation of 104.2 c / ha of root mass is the main factor in the environmental sustainability of mountain agrolandscapes, ensuring environmental safety

In order to design a seeder for direct sowing, a seed characterization study was conducted. The objective was to assess the physical, mechanical and kinetic properties of the most cultivated cereals and leguminous in Benin. Two varieties of Zea mays , four varieties of Vigna unguiculata , one variety of Arachis hypogea , one variety of Cajanus cajan and two varieties of Glycine maxwere studied. It was noticeda variation in physical parameters not only between species but also between varieties of the same species. All sphericity coefficients are greater than 0.7 with C. cajan which is more spherical (0.91±0.03) against the DMR ESR-W/QPM and 85 TZSR-W varieties of Z. mays which are the least spherical with 0.72±0.10 and 0.71±0.11 respectively. The rupture force generally increased from 14 to 720 N. Vigna TVX 32-36 is the most resistant with 633.3±75.72 N against 16.0±2.0 N for Arachis TS32-1 the least resistant. Overall, the falling speed decreased from 1.67 to 0 m/s on the rigid PVC, from 1.36 to 0 m/s on the black plate and from 1.67 to 0 m/s on the transparent hose when the angle of inclination increases from 20° to 70° relative to vertical. These parameters are essential for good sizing of the distribution system and the seed descent channels for a seeder. They can also be used for grains calibration and other use in agricultural engineering and food processing. Keywords: Seeds, physical properties, mechanical properties, kinetic properties, Benin