Small‐Grain Precision Planter for Dryland Experimental Plots

Small-grain stand establishment in research plots of the summer rainfall region of South Africa is a problem because of dry surface soil. A vacuum system plot planter was developed to meet these requirements. The planter has simple adjustments for changes in species, cultivars, seeding ante, row spacing, and fertilizer rate. The precision planter has fertilizer times and modified planter units. Uniform stands are achieved with most species at seeding rates varying from 5 to 100 kg ha −1 (4.5-89.0 Ib acre −1 ), with no restriction in plot length. The unit is easily transported and can plant in excess of 80 5-m (16.5 ft) plots h −1 [...]