Abstract
Seed metering accuracy affects the quality of sowing and the formation of the required crop stand. For an automated no-till seeder, this parameter depends on both the control system and the mechanical operation of the metering device. The aim of the study was to evaluate the accuracy and inter-channel uniformity of a fluted-roller seed metering device developed for an automated no-till seeder. Laboratory tests were carried out with rollers having working widths of 30 and 10 mm. For the 30 mm roller, seeds discharged from three channels were collected and weighed separately. The measured masses were 193, 202, and 203 g. The mean value was 199.33 g, and the coefficient of variation was 2.76%. The 10 mm roller was tested with barley, spring wheat, and safflower. The initial seed mass in each test series was 600 g. Three replications were performed for each crop. Seed discharged from every channel was collected separately. The coefficient of variation was 3.13% for barley, 1.46% for spring wheat, and 1.39% for safflower. The corresponding relative inter-channel ranges were 6.50%, 2.17%, and 2.33%. The largest difference between channels was recorded for barley. Seed delivery lasted 42–43 s for spring wheat and 51–54 s for safflower. For barley, 47 s was recorded in only one replication. The average mass flow rate was 14.20 g/s for spring wheat and 11.49 g/s for safflower. The tests showed that a similar total seed mass can be accompanied by different distributions among individual channels. This should be considered when calibrating a multi-channel metering device. The obtained data can be used to adjust the individual electric drive of the seed metering system for different crops.