Optimisation of Design and Operational Parameters of a Pneumatic Seed Metering Device for Planting Cottonseeds

Based on the optimised operational parameters, performance indices of the pneumatic planter were determined under field condition by measuring the distribution of cotton plants spacing. A mean plant spacing of 298 mm was found in the field with a 19·1% precision (coefficient of variation). Within the range of 210-300 mm, 49% cotton plants were distributed compared to 88% seeds spacing distribution observed on the laboratory test rig. Displacement of seeds in the field (due to rolling and bouncing) can affect the plant spacing distribution in the field.