Progress 10/01/12 to 12/31/16
Outputs
Target Audience:
Nothing Reported
Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Two Planter Research Workshops were conducted. Attendance at each workshopincludedapproximately 30 people representing university research and the agricultural equipment industry. The action items addressed atthese meetings include: 1. Developing educational material for in-cab display terminology. (Draft circulated) 2. Updating or developing a standard for precision seeder testing. (no action) 3. Developing a planter selection aid. (Draft presented) How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Meeting/Conferencepresentations Industry presentations What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Goal #1 Previous research has focused either solely on seed metering system performance or on the holistic response of the seeding system. While this project has examined both of these scenarios, it has also considered other elements on precision seeders. One specific study was to develop prediction performance functions and determine the seed releasing characteristics of seed meters based on metering rate and pitch angle at different levels using Response Surface Methodology (RSM). An AGCO White 9000 planter row unit was tested using two seed shapes and associated disks in controlled laboratory conditions. Experiments were designed based on the two-variable Central Composite Design (CCD), one of the RSM designs. Effects of metering rate and row unit pitch (seed tube tilt angle) in their five levels were investigated on performance and seed release characteristics. A video recording system allowed simultaneous recording of rear and side view of seed exiting the seed tube on the row unit. A MATLAB program in combination with image processing algorithms was used to analyze video. The performance indicators investigated were quality of feed index (QFI), multiple and miss indices. Seed release characteristics of interest were side and rear angles and time between seeds. Based on the experimental results QFI values were 99.0% and 100% using flat and round corn seed disks, respectively. The maximum side angle ranged from 33.5º and 48.3º for the flat seed disk and 33.4º to 47.6º for the round seed disk. The maximum rear angle ranged from 5.1º to 15.1º for the flat seed disk and 6.4º to 17.6º for the round seed disk. In addition to experimental results, model equations were also developed to predict QFI, side and rear angles as the function of metering rate and pitch angle. Quality of feed index functions were maximized and the optimum values of metering rate and pitch angle values were found to be 800 seeds min-1 and -2.6º for the flat meter disks. The optimum values for the round meter disks were 409.4 seeds min-1 of metering rate and 0º of pitch angle. In general, the QFI was inversely related to the standard deviations of seed trajectories. When maximum QFI was obtained, standard deviations of seed trajectories were at their minimum values for both flat and round type meters. On the contrary, the standard deviations between seeds were found very high at a minimum QFI value. Goal #2 A 3-point mounted 4-row John Deere 7300 planter was used to plant corn at two locations in Oklahoma with two soil conditions, no-till and strip till, at each location. Each soil condition was treated as an individual experiment and treatments were not compared across these or locations. The experiment was a split-plot design with down force setting (three levels in no-till and four levels in strip till) replicated three times and four randomized ground speeds (4.8, 8.0, 11.2, and 14.4 kph) for each down force pass. The planter was instrumented to measure down force, vertical acceleration, and seed spacing in the seed tube on the two center rows, ground speed, and vertical acceleration of the toolbar. After emergence was complete, 25 plant spacings were measured in each of the two center rows within each plot to determine mean plant spacing, multiples, misses, and spacing variability. The standard deviation in seed spacing in the tube was correlated with the plant spacing standard deviation for three of the five conditions. Ground speed was correlated with seed spacing standard deviation in the seed tube and plant spacing precision for all five seeding conditions. Increased ground speed resulted in less uniform plant stands as measured by the standard deviation, QOF, and precision for both tillage systems. Vertical acceleration of the row unit and tool bar was highly correlated with ground speed thus the ability to isolate its effect on plant spacing was not feasible. The relationship between down force and spacing measurements, whether in the seed tube or plants after emergence, was inconsistent. The force on the gauge wheels, and thus the down force setting, had little impact on plant spacing variability in no-till and no impact in the strip till system. Improving metering system performance will only improve plant spacing uniformity to a point. More effort needs to focus on placing the seed in the soil after it is metered. Goal #3 Research studies have shown opportunities for increased corn yield by orienting seeds during planting. Corn seed that is properly oriented results in leaves that grow into the row middles, which improves light interception and reduces competition. This research focused on two concepts for mechanically placing oriented corn seed. A planter was built based on the concept of orienting the seed perpendicular to the row and lying flat. While laboratory tests indicated planter performance was acceptable, extensive field tests during 2013 found otherwise. Thus a second concept was considered whereas the seed was placed tip down, parallel to the row. This concept was evaluated in 2014 by hand planting seed within different tolerances to determine design requirements for a mechanical planter. Analyzing leaf angle distributions, relative to the seed angle at planting, from this study confirms that leave azimuth can be controlled to some degree by controlling seed angle. These results indicate that a mechanical planter that is capable of controlling the yaw angle within +/-30 degrees would be acceptable. While this study focused on yaw tolerances for seed angle, previous research found that pitch tolerances may be similar to the yaw tolerances found here. However, further research should be conducted to determine tolerances for pitch angles of the seed.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Torres, G.M., A.A. Koller, R.K. Taylor, and W.R. Raun. 2016. Seed-oriented planting improves light interception, radiation use efficiency and grain yield of Maize (Zea mays L.). J. Exp. Agric. 1:1-16.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Taylor, R.K., A. Koller, A. Schlegel, W. Porter, I. Ciampitti, and C. Godsey. 2015. Designing a precision planter to place oriented corn seeds. Proc. 73rd Int. Conf. on Ag Eng. LAND TECHNIK AgEng 2015, Hannover, Germany.
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Progress 10/01/14 to 09/30/15
Outputs
Target Audience:During the reporting period, this project reached farmers, researchers, and ag equipment industry engineers. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?A Planter Research Workshop was held in Stillwater, OK. This workshop was attended by approximately 30 people representing university research and the agricultural equipment industry.The action items resulting from this meeting include: Developing educational material for in-cab display terminology. Updating or developing a standard for precision seeder testing. Developing a planter selection aid. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Information and results were discussed at multiple national and regoinal meetings during the reporting period. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?We are seeking funding to further our design concepts for a seed orienting corn planter.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
A study was conductedto develop prediction performance functions and determine the seed releasing characteristics of seed meters based on metering rate and pitch angle at different levels using Response Surface Methodology (RSM). An AGCO White 9000 planter row unit was tested using two seed shapes and associated disks in controlled laboratory conditions. Experiments were designed based on the two-variable Central Composite Design (CCD), one of the RSM designs. Effects of metering rate and row unit pitch (seed tube tilt angle) in their five levels were investigated on performance and seed release characteristics. A video recording system allowed simultaneous recording of rear and side view of seed exiting the seed tube on the row unit. A MATLAB program in combination with image processing algorithms was used to analyze video. The performance indicators investigated were quality of feed index (QFI), multiple and miss indices. Seed release characteristics of interest were side and rear angles and time between seeds. Based on the experimental results QFI values were found 99.0% (max) and 100% (max) for using flat and round corn seed disks, respectively. The maximum side angle ranged from 0.585 rad (33.5º) and 0.844 rad (48.4º) for the flat seed disk and 0.583 rad (33.4º) to 0.83 rad (47.6º) for the round seed disk. The maximum rear angle ranged from 0.089 rad (5.1º) to 0.264 rad (15.1º) for the flat seed disk and 0.112 rad (6.4º) to 0.308 rad (17.6º) for the round seed disk. In addition to experimental results, model equations were also developed to predict QFI, side and rear angles as the function of metering rate and pitch angle. Quality of feed index functions were maximized and the optimum values of metering rate and pitch angle values were found 800 seeds min-1 and -2.6º for the flat meter. The optimum values for round meter were 409.4 seeds min-1 and 0º. A 3-point mounted 4-row John Deere 7300 planter was used to plant corn at two locations in Oklahoma with two soil conditions, no-till and strip till, at each location. Each soil condition was treated as an individual experiment and treatments were not compared across these or locations. The experiment was a split-plot design with down force setting (three levels in no-till and four levels in strip till) replicated three times and four randomized ground speeds (4.8, 8.0, 11.2, and 14.4 kph) for each down force pass. The planter was instrumented to measure down force, vertical acceleration, and seed spacing in the seed tube on the two center rows, ground speed, and vertical acceleration of the toolbar. After emergence was complete, 25 plant spacings were measured in each of the two center rows within each plot to determine mean plant spacing, multiples, misses, and spacing variability. The standard deviation in seed spacing in the tube was correlated with the plant spacing standard deviation for three of the five conditions. Ground speed was correlated with seed spacing standard deviation in the seed tube and plant spacing precision for all five seeding conditions. The relationship between down force and spacing measurements, whether in the seed tube or plants after emergence, was inconsistent.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Koller, A.A., G.M. Torres, M.D. Buser, R.K. Taylor, W.R. Raun and P.R. Weckler. 2015. Statistical model for the relationship between maize kernel orientation and seed leaf azimuth. J. Exp. Agric. (doi:10.1017/S0014479715000149).
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Yazgi, A., R.K. Taylor, H. Navid and R. Kochenower. 2015. Isolating corn plant spacing variability. ASABE Meeting Paper No. 152115668. St. Joseph, MI:ASABE.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Yazgi, A., R.K. Taylor, H. Navid and P.R. Weckler. 2015. Performance modeling and seed releasing characteristics of a corn planter metering unit using response surface methodology. ASABE Meeting Paper No. 152184161. St. Joseph, MI:ASABE.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Taylor, R.K., A. Koller, A. Yazgi, I. Ciampitti, A. Schlegel, C. Godsey, and H. Navid. 2015. Evaluation of corn seed orientation. ASABE Meeting Paper No. 152134331. St. Joseph, MI:ASABE.
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Progress 10/01/13 to 09/30/14
Outputs
Target Audience: Agricultural Producers Agricultural Equipment Manufacturers Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?
Nothing Reported
How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Conference calls with industry Meeting presentations What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Corn was planted in 2014 at four locations (Tribune, KS; Manhattan, KS; Eckley, CO; and Stillwater, OK). The experiment was a 3x3 full factorial with three replications. The factors were seeding rate and seed angle distribution. The seeding rates were based off a base rate (35000 seeds per acre). The three rates were: base rate -40%, base rate -20%, and base rate. The seed angle was relative to the row direction. The three seed orientation distributions were completely random (+/- 90 degrees), +/- 30 degrees, and aligned at 0 degrees. The orientation of each seed was randomized within the constraints of these three distributions. All seeds were planted with the tip pointing down. Plots were four rows wide with all four rows planted to the same treatment. Plot length varied with the seeding rate so that we had 15 plants (plus a border) in each row. This will provide 30 plants per plot for analysis. Plots were checked daily after planting and the emergence of each plant recorded. Photographs were taken of the 30 plants in each plot when all seed leaves were visible to assess leaf orientation. The location of each plant was measured and each plant was hand harvested to determine plant yield. Final grain number and seed weight were also determined from the tagged plants.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Koller, A.A., Y. Wan, E. Miller, P.R. Weckler, and R.K. Taylor. 2014. Test method for precision seed singulation systems. Trans. ASABE. 57(5): 1283-1290.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Taylor, R.K., S.A. Staggenborg, C.B. Godsey, A.J. Schlegel, and R.D. Kochenower. 2014. A method to evaluate seeder performance. Journal of Agricultural Engineering 1(1)38:42.
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Progress 10/01/12 to 09/30/13
Outputs
Target Audience:
Nothing Reported
Changes/Problems: The current design was abandonded. More effort will be placed on new designs. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?
Nothing Reported
How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Meeting presentations Industry presentations What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Corn was planted in 2013 at three locations (Tribune, KS; Goodwell, OK; and Stillwater, OK) and two seeding rates at each location (Table 1). The higher seeding rate is the typical recommended rate for irrigated corn in each area. The lower seeding rate is 20 percent less than the typical rate. Flat and round seed (Pioneer 1395) were planted at all locations with the thought being the flat seed would be oriented and the round would not. Treatments were replicated four times. The planter developed at OSU was used to plant trials and a planter provided by AGCO was used with two different closing systems. One closing system was the standard system (STD) and the second was a new alternative closing system (ACS). Corn was planted at Tribune on April 16, 2013 into a tilled seedbed. Corn was planted at Goodwell on April 22, 2013 into strip tilled conditions. Finally corn was planted in Stillwater on May 13, 2013 into a tilled seedbed. Production practices (fertility and weed control) at each site were typical for the region. All sites were irrigated. Each plot was 10 feet wide (4-30 inch rows) and 30 feet long. The AGCO planter was used to plant the outside two rows for treatments 1-4. The meter drive was disengaged for the center two rows but they were still leaving a furrow. The OSU planter then planted each of the center two rows by following the path created by the AGCO furrow opener. Only 2 rows of the AGCO alternative closing system were available, so they were mounted in the center. Again the outer rows were planted with the standard AGCO row units. All four rows for treatments, 6, 8, and 10 were planted with the standard AGCO planter.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Koller, A.A., R.K. Taylor, W.R. Raun, P.R. Weckler and M.D. Buser. 2013. Design, performance prediction, and validation of a seed orienting corn planter. ASABE Meeting Paper No. 131620580. St. Joseph, MI:ASABE.
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