Seeder performance under different speeds and its relation to soybean cultivars yield

Abstract

Search for greater operating efficiency of seeders via increased speed in sowing operation has caused many problems in soybean plantability which may affect its yield components and final yield. Due to it, this study was carried out with the objective to evaluate a seeder performance under different operating speeds and its relation to soybean cultivars yield components and final yield in a no-till system. Experiment was laid out as a random block design, in a 2×4 factorial scheme, composed of two soybean cultivars and four seeder operating speeds. It was noticed that the seeder operating speed of 9.2 km h -1 caused a reduction of 1.5 cm in the seed sowing depth resulting in an increase of 14% of exposed seeds. Moreover, soil disturbed area at the center of crop row showed an increase of 23.7% reducing so the seed emergence rate at 9.6% day -1, affecting soybean final plant population what resulted in an yield decrease of 20%. The evaluated parameters showed similar results for the 7.7 and 3.4 km h -1 seeder operating speeds, although, the best seeder performance was noticed at the lower operating speeds.