Evaluation of drum cavity size and planter tip on singulation and plant emergence in maize (Zea mays L.)

Thirty million hectares of maize (Zea mays L.) in the developing world are planted and harvested by hand. Indigenous planting encumbers placing two to three seeds per hill and this results in uneven spacing and decreased yields. Oklahoma State University (OSU) built a new hand planter to deliver single seeds with each strike (singulation). This planter includes a range in cavity sizes so as to accommodate different seeds. At all sites, the OSU internal drum resulted in similar emergence as the checks were planted by hand, and a John Deere vacuum planter. Developing world maize producers can use the OSU hand planter with drum “450S” if seeds are in the 2500–4000 seeds/kg range using a conventional metal tip. This planter also removes the chemically treated seed from producer's hands, reduces health risks, and serves as a mid-season fertilizer applicator.     

基于Voronoi图的单粒播玉米产量效果的蒙特卡罗模拟

为了明确在单粒播种条件下田间出苗率对玉米产量的影响,以蒙特卡罗二项分布作缺苗模拟,以Voronoi图分配缺苗土地,通过对产量-密度方程进行数学恒等变换计算产量补偿,模拟了2种单粒播策略的玉米产量随出苗率(75%~95%)的变化。结果表明,缺苗斑数目与出苗率呈单峰曲线关系,缺苗斑大小随出苗率呈负指数下降;单粒播造成0.06%~16.78%的减产,且减产率随出苗率下降而增加;两种单粒播策略的产量大小和产量稳定性均有差异,且差异随出苗率下降而扩大。该研究推荐的玉米单粒播策略是:在千方百计提高出苗率基础上,播种的种子数目应当等于目标种植密度除以出苗率、保证出苗的植株数目达到推荐种植密度。该结论对于在玉米生产上广泛采用单粒精量播种具有重要参考价值。     

防堵和播深控制机构提高玉米免耕精量播种性能

免耕播种技术能够提高土壤的蓄水保墒能力、增加土壤有机质含量,因此在华北平原农作区被广为接受。该地区的耕作制度为小麦与玉米周年轮作,冬小麦在6月份收获,随后在小麦秸秆覆盖地上直接进行玉米免耕播种作业。受小麦秸秆的影响,播种后玉米种子的粒距均匀性和播种深度一致性很难保证,另外,玉米苗由于被小麦秸秆覆盖容易发生病虫害。为了解决以上问题,发明了一种安装防堵机构和播深控制单体的玉米免耕精量播种机,对该播种机和不带防堵机构和播深控制单体的普通播种机在4、6和8 km/h 3个播种速度下的播种性能进行了对比试验,测量并得出了拨草性能、播种深度、出苗率和粒距分布均匀性（合格率、重播率和漏播率）等指标参数。试验结果表明：防堵机构和播深控制单体能显著提高播种机的拨草性能、播种深度一致性、出苗率和粒距分布均匀性;防堵机构使播种机不易堵塞,播种速度为8 km/h时的凉籽率仅为1.8%;播深控制单体使播种机在所有播种速度下平均播深接近理论播深,播种速度为8 km/h时的播深变异系数仅为9.2%,使得出苗时间更集中,出苗整齐度高。以上结果说明：设计的安装防堵机构和播深控制单体的玉米免耕精量播种机能够满足小麦秸秆覆盖田玉米免耕精量播种的要求。     

Soil management for crop production in the West African Sahel. II. Emergence, establishment, and yield of pearl millet

Crop establishment is an important yield factor for pearl millet in the Sahel. Therefore, we conducted a series of experiments to determine the effects of seed size, depth and method of planting, millet variety, pre-sowing tillage, and soil fertilization upon seedling emergence, crop establishment, and yield. All experiments were conducted on a sandy Psammentic Paleustalf in Niger.

For all three millet varieties studied, out of a range of sowing depths from 1 to 7 cm, a sowing depth of 3–5 cm resulted in the highest percentage emergence, the highest above-ground biomass, and most secondary roots. High soil temperatures are common during establishment, typical maximum temperatures at a depth of 1 cm exceed 46°C. The adverse effects of wind erosion were least when sowing in hills; establishment, crop stand survival, and yield were better under hill planting than drilling seed.

Pre-sowing tillage increased initial stands and their survival, the latter also depending on fertility. Thus, improved crop yields result from better stand survival and higher yields per hill. Fertilizer application of 17 kg ha⁻¹ P and 40 kg ha⁻¹ of N tripled grain yields. Ridging without prior tillage and plowing increased grain and stover yields two- to three-fold. In combination with fertilizer application, sixfold yield increases were obtained.

If pre-sowing tillage is considered, then, in view of the time limitations, ridging without prior tillage would be preferable to plowing, as it is a much faster operation giving equally good results in terms of crop establishment and yield.     

自动定向大蒜播种机的设计与试验

针对现有大蒜播种机难以满足蒜种"鳞芽朝上、直立栽种"农艺要求的问题,该文设计了一种大蒜自动定向播种机。该播种机主要由底盘、机架、种箱、取种装置、蒜种定向装置、插播装置、气动控制系统和镇压轮组成。采用链勺式取种方式完成单粒取种,利用三级锥形料斗实现蒜种鳞芽定向,通过鸭嘴式插播器实现直立栽种。设计了各关键部件结构,通过试验研究探明了影响取种效果和鳞芽定向效果的主要因素,确定了合理工作参数组合。以兰陵大蒜为试验对象,取种试验表明,当播种机行进速度0.10 m/s、振动机构振动作用力15 N、十字轮转速20 r/min时,单粒取种率为93.50%,多粒率为2.30%,漏取率为4.20%,综合取种效果最优;蒜种定向试验表明,当3级料斗尖锥半顶角依次为45°、40°和30°时,料斗安装间距100 mm、料斗打开间隔时间0.4 s时的鳞芽朝上率为94.44%,综合定向效果最优。大蒜播种机田间试验结果表明,上述参数组合下鳞芽朝上率为89.2%,重播率为3.2%,漏播率为2.0%,播种效率为500～650 m~2/h,满足大蒜播种农艺需求。该文研究结果为推动大蒜播种机械化和自动化发展提供参考。     

水稻精量穴直播机播量监测系统研制

播种量是水稻精量穴直播机的关键技术参数。为了实时监测水稻精量穴直播机的播种量,提高播种作业性能,该文以环形布置安装于排种管的面源式光电传感器为主要监测元件,设计了水稻精量穴直播机播量监测系统。根据型孔式排种器结构与工作原理,确定了面源式光电传感器和旋转编码器的安装方式。采用高速摄像技术建立了水稻种子流通过监测区时种子数量与脉冲宽度之间的数学模型;通过时间分割节点得到穴粒数监测时间窗口,根据监测时间窗口内的脉冲宽度信息得到每穴播种粒数。选用南粳46和象牙香占2种具有代表性的水稻品种,对水稻精量穴直播机播量监测系统进行试验,将人工统计数据与监测系统统计数据进行对比分析,台架试验结果表明:对于南粳46(短粒型品种),平均穴粒数监测误差不超过7.99%,穴数监测误差不超过6.07%;对于象牙香占(长粒型品种),平均穴粒数监测误差不超过24.07%,穴数监测误差不超过5.66%。该系统基本满足不同工作转速下不同粒型的水稻播种量实时监测要求,可为后期实现水稻精量穴直播机大田作业参数监测提供了参考。     

双层种箱式马铃薯排种装置设计与试验

为了提高链勺式马铃薯排种装置排种性能,该研究基于离散单元法理论,使用EDEM软件建立了排种装置数值模型,在对排种过程中种薯运动规律仿真分析的基础上,设计了具有双层种箱结构的排种装置,以空种率和重种率为性能指标,试验研究了排种速度、种勺直径和充种高度对充种性能的影响规律,利用回归方程和多目标优化方法对双层种箱式排种装置进行了参数的优化设计,结果为:1)排种速度0.67 m/s、种勺直径48.6 mm、充种高度0.28 m时,空种率和重种率分别是3.8%和8.8%;2)排种速度0.36 m/s≤v≤0.96 m/s、种勺直径44 mm≤d≤56 mm、充种高度0.15 m≤h≤0.28 m时,空种率小于10%,重种率小于20%。种薯运动规律表明:增大高效充种区、增强种薯流动性可以有效提高充种成功率。试验结果表明:与单层种箱式排种装置相比,双层种箱式排种装置空种率降低50%,重种率降低24.5%;排种速度提高92%时,仍可保证排种性能。该研究为链勺式马铃薯排种装置的优化设计提供指导。     

Intensification of dryland farming in Mali through mechanisation of sowing,fertiliser application and weeding

This study focuses on the role of mechanised sowing and weeding in combination with seed priming and fertiliser microdosing in Mali. Mechanised sowing and weeding were based on using a combined donkey-drawn planter/weeder and a motorised planter/weeder. The research methods included studies of seed delivery in manual and mechanised sowing, field experiments on different levels of mechanization/intensification, labour studies on mechanisation and an economic assessment of the different levels of intensification.

The average sorghum grain yield across three years increased by 352 kg ha^?1 (43.7% increase) by combining mechanisation with seed priming and microdosing of 0.2 g NPK 15-15-15 fertiliser per pocket compared to a control with manual sowing but without seed priming and microdosing. The labour demand (sowing and weeding) for manual, donkey-drawn and motorised operations was 184, 67 and 47 hours ha^?1, respectively.

An economic analysis showed that the donkey-drawn planter/weeder is the appropriate mechanisation below six ha while above this land size it becomes increasingly interesting for the farmers to invest in a motorised planter. The use of mechanisation will result in earlier and uniform crop establishment, facilitate microdosing application, timelier weeding, higher yields, better economic return and reduced labour demand.     

水稻直播用精播绳制造设备研制

水稻直播栽培技术具有省工、节本、增效等优点,但现有的直播机无法适应精确定量栽培的农艺要求。为此,设计了一种水稻直播用精播绳制造机械设备,该设备主要由送纸机构、排种机构、加捻机构和种绳卷绕成形机构等部分组成。其在工厂内将稻种按照设定的穴距和每穴粒数卷在4～7 cm宽的纸带内,并捻制成种绳,而后再将种绳卷绕成圆柱状供大田播放。大田作业时,通过将精播绳铺放在平整后的田块中,实现水稻的有序栽培。试验结果表明,研制的机械设备工作性能稳定,生产的种绳穴距变异系数不超过3.15%,每穴粒数变异系数不超过13.42%,种绳直播的水稻产量达10 290 kg/hm2,与当地的机插或人工手插相比无显著差异,但明显高于中国目前水稻平均单产。     

2BFD-4型花生覆膜播种机的设计与试验

摘要：根据中国北方地区花生垄作覆膜播种的特点,为提高花生播种机工作效率,改善作业质量,研制了2BFD-4型花生覆膜播种机。该播种机突破了一垄两行的播种模式,增加了排种单体和仿形机构,解决了单体运动干涉与仿形问题,实现了宽幅花生播种。对排种器与开沟器结构进行了优化,提高播种和开沟性能。整机结构紧凑,性能可靠,作业效率高,覆膜平整。经田间试验表明：该播种机播种质量较好,空穴率为0.58%,重播率为1.75%,种子破碎率为0.37%,穴粒数合格率为95.03%,种肥垂直间距为41.52 mm,出苗率为88.33%,各项指标均达到了相关标准,可以适应中国目前北方花生机械化的发展要求。     

Maize (Zea mays L.) Grain Yield Response to Methods of Nitrogen Fertilization

ABSTRACT

In the developing world, fertilizer application is commonly achieved by broadcasting nutrients to the soil surface without incorporation. A commonly used nitrogen (N) source is urea and if not incorporated, can sustain N losses via ammonia volatilization and lower crop yields. This study evaluated the effect of planting, N rate and application methods on maize (Zea mays L.) grain yield. An experiment with a randomized complete block design (nine treatments and three replications) was established in 2013 and 2018 in Oklahoma. The planting methods included; farmer practice (FP), Oklahoma State University hand planter (OSU-HP), and John Deere (JD) mechanical planter. Side-dress N application methods included; dribble surface band (DSB), broadcast (BR), and OSU-HP. Nitrogen was applied at the rate of 30 and 60 kg ha^?1 as urea and UAN at V8 growth stage. On average, planting and applying N at 60 kg ha^?1 using OSU-HP resulted in the highest yield (11.4 Mg ha^?1). This exceeded check plot yield (5.59 Mg ha^?1) by 104%. Nitrogen application improved grain yield by over 57% when compared to the 0-N check (8.77 Mg ha^?1). Mid-season N placement below the soil surface using OSU-HP makes it a suitable alternative to improve grain yield.     

玉米宽窄行深旋免耕精量播种机田间试验及效果

为了解决目前玉米播种机械播种质量不高,良好农艺措施与农机不配套等问题,研发了一种基于宽窄行条带深旋免耕技术的玉米精量播种机。该文对该机作业后的土壤质量、土壤含水率、玉米出苗、群体光照、根系生长和产量等性状进行了分析。结果表明:采用该机播种后,土壤耕层容重显著降低(P0.05),土壤蓄水保水能力提高,玉米的播种质量明显提高,群体整齐度增加,群体透光性明显改善,具有显著的增产作用。与普通播种机械相比,该机播种后的玉米出苗率平均提高6.2个百分点,玉米株高变异系数降低8.33%,玉米根系生长量增加15.79%,玉米生育后期的群体光能截获量明显增加,产量增加11.15%。实现了优良农艺措施与农机的有效结合。     

斜插式免耕穴播机设计与试验

该文针对现有免耕播种机存在的机具防堵效果差、种肥深度精准度低、播种均匀性差等问题,设计了一种斜插式免耕穴播机.该机器播种施肥采用45°斜插入土方式,入土器的凸轮推杆开合机构,能够有效防止夹土、粘土、堵塞等问题;入土器的平行四杆仿形机构配合曲柄滑块入土机构,可保证播种深度一致、种肥同步、种肥侧深距离精确度高以及播种均匀性好;45°倾斜角易实现自动覆土功能.另外增设了可调链轮变速机构,充分弥补了现有免耕穴播机株距调整困难问题;改进了原有排种器和排肥器适应性差的缺点,采用多窝眼轮排种器,能够满足不同作物品种的播种需求.该机的工作参数(行距、株距、播深、肥位等)皆为可调,适应性更强.依据设计研制样机并进行玉米播种田间试验,结果表明:播种覆土均匀,播种深度和施肥深度合格率分别为90.52％和91.23％,变异系数分别为5.91％和6.26％,种肥水平距离和垂直间距合格率分别为95.71％和91.65％,变异系数分别为4.64％和8.01％;株距合格率92.13％,重播率4.60％和空穴率3.27％,满足JB/T 10293-2001《单粒(精密)播种机技术条件》中播种合格指数≥80％,重播指数≤15％,漏播指数≤8％的农艺要求.该研究可为精准免耕穴播机的设计提供参考.     

气力式水稻穴播机播种精度与田间成苗率关系的试验研究

气力式水稻精量穴直播技术是一种播种精度高、伤种率低的播种技术。为进一步研究气力式水稻穴播机播超级杂交稻品种时田间成苗率与播种精度的关系,该文选取3种超级杂交稻"Y-2优"、"超优1000"、"五丰优615"为研究对象,进行了实验室内发芽率试验与田间播种精度试验,建立了稻种发芽率与播种精度对田间成苗率的关系公式,采用10行气力式水稻精量穴播机进行田间试验。3种超级杂交稻的室内发芽率分别为94%、91%、92%;播种合格率(1~3粒/穴率)分别为94.98%、95.07%、95.21%,空穴率分别为1.78%、2.03%、1.95%,利用本文建立的关系公式计算出理论成苗率为96.85%、95.79%、96.07%,田间实际成苗率分别为94.22%、93.94%、93.76%(均低于理论计算成苗率结果)。分析了影响田间成苗率的主要因素,为提高田间成苗率,一是应进一步提高播种精度,减小空穴率与1粒/穴率,提高2粒/穴率,二是进一步提高稻种发芽率。该文的研究结果可为气力式排种技术在超级杂交稻精量直播中的应用提供参考。     

气吸式谷子排种装置吸种孔的结构设计与试验

为实现气吸式谷子排种装置的精少量穴播,解决播种时伤种、吸种孔堵塞、成穴性差等问题,在研究了谷子机械物理特性的基础上,对气吸式排种装置的排种盘进行了设计,设计了圆柱孔、倒角截顶圆锥体孔、截顶圆锥体孔和四棱台孔4种结构,并对排种装置进行了谷子排种效果对比试验以及排种性能试验。试验结果表明,在所设计的多种排种盘结构中,吸种效果最好的排种盘吸种孔为四棱台结构,堵塞情况最少,相对成穴性最好,此时平均穴粒数3.3个,穴粒数合格率89%,穴距合格率94%,平均成穴距离1.24 cm。同时确定了排种器的最佳工作参数:真空度?2 k Pa,排种轴转速28 r/min。初步实现了采用气吸式排种装置下的谷子精少量穴播,对以后设计谷子精密排种装置及相关研究提供参考。     

Seed priming and soil incorporation with silicon influence growth and yield of maize under water-deficit stress

Silicon (Si) has been known to enhance plant tolerance against biotic and abiotic stresses besides its beneficial effects on plant growth and yield. Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of Si against water-deficit stress in maize (Zea mays) applied through seed priming and soil incorporation methods, and to find out the optimum dose of Si under each method. In the seed priming experiment, seeds were exposed to different Si levels, up to 2 mM l^–1, germinating under three soil moisture regimes (100%, 75% and 50% field capacity-FC). In the soil incorporation study, the treatments included were six Si doses from 0 to 600 kg ha^–1 under the same soil moisture regimes. Grain yield was reduced by 59% and 69% in the seed priming and soil incorporation study, respectively, at 50% FC. Si application was effective irrespective of the application methods with higher cob length, 100-kernel weight and grain yield than the control. Application of Si at 1 mM l^–1 as seed priming and 300 kg ha^–1 as soil incorporation was more effective than other doses and could be recommended as optimum dose for Nakhon Sawan 3 hybrid maize variety under water-deficit stress.     

适宜机插株行距促进水稻生长提高产量

为了比较不同行距插秧机的作业效果,以及机插秧不同株行距组合对水稻生长和产量的影响,在江苏靖江、张家港和黄海农场3地进行了连续2 a田间定位试验。每个试验点设置行株距分别为:30 cm×11 cm、25 cm×14 cm、25 cm×11 cm 3种株行距组合处理,3次重复。结果表明,在水稻漏插率方面,2012年30 cm×11 cm(行距×株距)处理最高,25 cm×11 cm(行距×株距)处理最低,2013年30 cm×11 cm(行距×株距)处理仍最高,25 cm×14 cm(行距×株距)处理最低。窄行距大株距有利于降低水稻漏插率,但在伤秧率、倒秧率方面和每穴平均株数方面,3个品种的不同处理之间均无统一规律;分蘖稳定后各试验点茎蘖数均为30 cm×11 cm(行距×株距)处理最高,25 cm×11 cm(行距×株距)处理最低,大株行距有利于促进水稻分蘖;产量方面各处理每公顷有效穗数30 cm×11 cm(行距×株距)处理25 cm×11 cm(行距×株距)处理,其他产量构成因素差异不显著,最终各处理实际产量表现为25 cm×11 cm(行距×株距)处理较好,故插秧机行株距为25 cm×11 cm较适合于江苏省水稻机械化种植。该研究可为江苏省水稻插秧机机具选型提供参考。     

基于水氮管理与种植结构优化的作物丰产高效管理策略

河西走廊农业生产受到水资源短缺与农业资源利用效率低的限制,制约着该地区的种子、粮食生产与农业可持续发展战略。该研究构建了考虑作物水氮需求量、降雨量、土壤初始含氮量的水氮管理制度优化方法,并结合所构建的考虑空间尺度作物产量与水氮利用效率的多目标种植结构优化方法,为河西走廊制种玉米、大田玉米和小麦制定丰产高效的水氮管理与种植结构调整策略,从而实现作物产量和水氮利用效率的协同提升。结果显示：优化的水氮管理制度相比管理现状可减少单位面积灌水量9.1%～27.3%、施氮量26.6%～50.0%;以作物产量和水氮利用效率最大为目标,以种植面积、产量需求和水氮投入量为约束,调整制种玉米、大田玉米和小麦的种植面积与空间分布,优化后制种玉米和小麦种植面积减少、大田玉米种植面积增加,总种植面积减少4 874.8 hm2,且作物种植空间分布较优化前差异明显;水氮管理与种植结构优化协同作用可以在水氮用量分别减少0.29×109 m3和3.36×107 kg的情况下,作物总产量提升0.16×109 kg,区域灌溉水生产力和氮肥利用效率分别提升0.62 kg/m3和18.97 kg/kg。该研究可以为产粮区和缺水区的作物丰产高效和农业可持续发展提供科学指导与决策参考。     

Effect of Nephthyl Acetic Acid Foliar Spray on Amelioration of Drought Stress Tolerance in Maize (Zea mays L.)

The present study aimed to determine the effect of nephthyl acetic acid (NAA) on the physiological mechanism of drought tolerance in selected maize (Zea mays L.) varieties under induced drought stress at the vegetative stage. Maize seeds were sown in plastic pots (14 cm lower inside diameter, 18.5 cm upper inner diameter, 15.6 cm height, and 0.5 cm thickness) filled with 3 kg of air-dried soil and sand (3:1) in triplicate in the greenhouse of the Botany Department, Bacha Khan University, Charsadda in 2014. Results showed that the activities of antioxidant enzymes and proline accumulation were associated with the dry mass production and consequently with the drought tolerance of the maize varieties. It has been concluded that the inhibitory effects of water stress were ameliorated by exogenous application of NAA and were found to be significant for antioxidant enzymes at the vegetative stage in both varieties.     

改性玉米淀粉黏结剂对种绳捻制质量的影响

为了提高水稻种绳的抗拉强度和穴距准确性、防止种子在种绳捻制和直播过程中脱落,提出了在包容材料上涂刷黏结剂的方法并配制了一种改性玉米淀粉黏结剂。试验结果表明,配制的改性玉米淀粉黏结剂及其涂刷量和黏度对水稻出苗率影响不显著。通过二次回归正交旋转组合试验,研究了改性玉米淀粉黏结剂的涂刷量和黏度与水稻种绳的抗拉强度、穴距准确性和每穴粒数合格率的关系,建立了相应的数学模型。利用多目标非线性优化方法,对黏结剂的涂刷量和黏度进行了参数优化。确定的最优参数组合是黏结剂涂刷量为80%、黏度为7 792 mPa·s。在此条件下,种绳的抗拉强度达到18.84 N,穴距变异系数为3.25%,穴粒数合格率为91.05%。研究结果证明,在种绳捻制过程中涂刷适量的改性玉米淀粉黏结剂,对提高种绳抗拉强度和穴距准确性具有重要作用,对水稻出苗和土壤环境没有影响。这为水稻种绳捻制机的改进设计提供了重要参考。