Evaluation of Drum Cavity Size and Planter Tip on Singulation and Plant Emergence in Maize (Zea Mays L.)

Abstract

Average maize grain yields in developing countries are 1.8 Mg ha-1 compared to 9.9 Mg ha-1 in the USA, with much of this due to planter technology. Thirty million hectares in the world are planted by hand, where 2 to 3 seeds are placed per hill at uneven spacing resulting in heterogeneous plant stands. A hand planter was built to deliver single seeds with each strike (singulation) and to improve low grain yields encountered in developing countries. This study was conducted to evaluate drum cavity size and planter tip on singulation and plant emergence in maize, using the OSU hand planter. Two drum cavity sizes, two planter tips and four different seed sizes were used in a two-year study, started in 2014. On all four site years drum cavity 450S resulted in significantly similar emergence as those checks planted by hand and a John Deere vacuum planter. Over site years 17% better emergence was achieved with 450S vs 260-20 drums. Drum 260-20 was better at delivering singulation than 450S however, over four site years 27% misses (no seed delivered) were recorded with drum 260-20. No significant difference was seen with different tips on emergence, singulation and final grain yield. This data suggests that maize producers in developing world could use the OSU hand planter with drum 450S and the conventional tip. This planter can be used as a side-dress N-fertilizer applicator by simply changing the internal drum, that incorporates urea into the soil, minimizing volatilization losses. It also removes chemically treated seed from producer hands thus reducing health risks.