Evaluation of the Possibility of Single-Seed Sowing of Beech Seeds (Fagus Sylvatica l.) with the Use of Pneumatic Sowing Set

• Main Authors: Maria Walczykova, Józef Walczyk
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: University of Zagreb, Faculty of Forestry 2016-01-01
• Series: Croatian Journal of Forest Engineering
• Online Access: https://hrcak.srce.hr/file/226109

The aim of the present study was to adapt the pneumatic seeder designed for thick seeds to the sowing of beech seeds and to select appropriate parameters of its operation. In order to evaluate the possibility of sowing particular seeds by the single-seed seeder, one must examine the process of their gathering by the sowing set, stability of the outlet and the flight trajectory. All these parameters can be evaluated simultaneously by applying the accelerated motion film technology. This task was performed using the GoPro Black Edition film camera. The research was performed at a laboratory measurement site, for four rotational speeds of the spreading disc, four values of the vacuum and three dimensions of the spreading disc holes. As a result, the most appropriate parameters for sowing beech seeds were determined. The research found that, after modification, the disc pneumatic seeder of the Agricola Italiana PK can be applied as a machine for sowing the seeds of European beech. The best sowing parameters are obtained using the disk with holes having a diameter of 5 mm, under a vacuum of 800 mm H2O; and the frequency of unfilled openings in the spreading disc in the case of beech depends more on the value of the applied vacuum than on the rotational speed of the spreading disc. It was also found that the calculated theoretical trajectory of the seed flight is similar to the trajectory obtained from the analysis.