Prospective study of the technology for evaluating and measuring in-row seed spacing for precision planting: A review

Abstract

Corn is the most cultivated and consumed cereal in the world. The overall objective of this review was to study the methodologies to measure and evaluate the in-row seed spacing for precision planting as well as to determine the technological alternatives that would allow obtaining information about seed mapping for corn crop planting in precision agriculture applications. As a conceptual synthesis about the electronic measurement system, there are two strategies for determining in-row seed spacing in the precision planting. Indirect methods correspond to the measurement before the seeds reach the furrow, while direct methods correspond to the measurement with the seeds placed in the furrow. The indirect measurement strategy is the most widely used in research publications and commercial planter monitors. Within this method, the seed spacing measurement systems use optical or radio wave type seed sensors. Corn seed counting accuracy through electronic measurement systems with optical-type seed sensor is at least 96%. The microwave seed sensor is used commercially by a few companies whose technologies are patented. The direct measurement strategy is under development and requires further research. The main limitation of these technologies is the seed detection in the furrow, which limits the planter travel speed and the equipment cost. The conceptual proposal for the term ‘seed mapping’ is to provide integrated and geo-referenced information on in-row seed spacing and depth for precision planting.

Design and Optimization Test of High-Speed Seed Guide Device With Conical Spiral Airflow

“…When seeds leaving the seed-metering device enter the seed guide tube, due to the different incident angles, machine vibration and tilt, the seeds will disorderly collide in the seed guide tube (Wang et al, 2022 b;Zhou et al, 2020). The random collisions will cause seeds to fail to move in accordance with the predetermined trajectory, resulting in changes in the relative position of seeds in the furrow and ultimately failing to meet the requirements of seeding operations (Yuan et al, 2018;Liu et al, 2022;Nardon & Botta, 2022;Yang et al, 2016). Therefore, research on seed guide technology and devices is of great significance for improving seeding quality.…”

Design and Analysis of a High-Precision Dynamic Compensation System for Seed Dropping Position in Corn Sowing Operations

“…This system obtains the real-time operating speed of the planter using speed-measuring radar/GPS and adjusts the speed of the planter accordingly. Through controlling the amount of sowing, the uniformity of sowing is improved, changes in row spacing and plant spacing are reduced, and accurate positioning and sowing is achieved [9,10]. Additionally, the Exact Emerge series of air-suction seed extractors from the John Deere Company in the US has improved the traditional disc-shaped seed tray structure to increase the seed-filling power of the seeds and adapt to the high-speed seed discharge requirements during the sowing operation.…”