Comparing Precision Metering and Seed Delivery Systems for Increasing Cotton Planting Speed

Producers are constantly challenged on producing more with less, becoming more efficient and effective, while overcoming adverse weather conditions during field operations.  Planting is a critical field operation that needs to be accomplished in a timely manner.  Increasing field efficiency during planting can be accomplished in one of two ways, either via utilizing larger (wider or more) planters or faster planters.  However, in the Southeast, smaller average field size prevents producers from utilizing planters larger than twelve rows (36 feet) wide.  Thus, producers can either travel faster or buy a second, third, or more planters.  Depending on the producer and the equipment available to them, travelling at a faster speed during planting is usually the first choice since it does not require an additional planter and tractor purchase.  In-addition little data is available on the effects of precision seed metering systems on cotton emergence and spacing as planter and tractor ground speed is increased.  The main goal of this research project was to evaluate plant emergence and spacing as a function of planting speed, metering system, and delivery system.  Three planter manufacturers seed metering systems in combination with four different seed delivery systems were tested at three planting speeds of 6, 8, and 10 mph.  All three planter seed metering systems were retrofitted with electric seed meters, two of the planters had hydraulic downforce control while the third had pneumatic downforce control.  In addition, the delivery systems included a Bullseye seed tube, a speed tube, a seed belt delivery system, and a brush belt delivery system.  Emergence and spacing data show significant differences for percent emergence and singulation data based on both planter speed and delivery system suggesting that there is a potential for precision technologies to aid producers to plant at faster speeds without sacrificing crop emergence and spacing.