| | In brief
- Air seeder components cause notable damage to pulse crop seeds.
- Variations of seeding rates and airflow rates affected the extent of damage for each component.
- PAMI test results did not indicate a trend that could be used as an overall "rule-of-thumb" for either specific components or their settings.
- PAMI test results indicated that visually observed crackage could not be used as a gauge to determine the success or failure of future germination.
- Presently, there is no explanation for increases or decreases in germination due to mechanical handling. PAMI recommends that more research be done in this area.
- Existing information linking crackage of pulse seeds to moisture content, when conveying or handling, may not apply to these test results. There appears to be no consistent relationship between crackage and germination change.
- Producers are encouraged to be aware of potential pulse seed damage. Air seeders should be selected and operated with the goal of minimizing potential damage. Producers should make thorough field checks to determine germination success.
- Princess Peas are "generally" less prone to germination damage at medium seeding rates and medium airflow rates.
- Trapper Peas damage more easily than Princess Peas. Optimum settings varied from one component to the other. No trend was observed.
- Laird Lentils damage very easily. Settings for lentils are "generally" more favourable at medium seeding rates and medium airflow rates.
Introduction
Over the past decade, air seeder usage has increased. In an attempt to reduce equipment duplication, the diversified farmer sees the need for using an air seeder to seed pulse crops.
Previous research has shown that some grain drill meters will damage pulse seeds. Also, PAMI/AFMRC (Prairie
Agricultural Machinery Institute/Alberta Farm Machinery Research Centre) evaluation reports have shown that air seeders damage canola seeds.
PAMI has completed a study comparing the crackage and germination of Princess Peas, Trapper Peas and Laird Lentils through the various isolated components of typical air seeder systems.
What was tested?
An air seeder system can be broken into various components. PAMI tests involved choosing the components and the work rates at which crackage and germination problems could be observed.
Meters, manifolds and seed boots were classified by their general physical characteristics. It must be appreciated that the selected components may differ in their damage characteristics from others of a similar type, due to design or operation differences. Also, components when tested in isolation may react differently than those incorporated in a mechanical system. The component classes (and specific examples) selected for testing are provided in Table 1.
How damage was determined?
Three varieties of pulse seeds (Princess Peas, Trapper Peas, and Laird Lentils) were chosen for testing. Each sample was tested for initial crackage and germination. All test runs, in all conditions, were duplicated. From each pair of test samples, three separate germination and three separate crackage samples were taken.
Crackage was evaluated by manual inspection of a 100 seed sample taken from each of the triplicate samples.
Germination tests were done on a representative sample taken from each triplicate sample. Fifty seed germination trays were used. Germination tests were done quickly to minimize variations in the sample's moisture content.
How was it tested?
The five metering systems were run, with three crops, at selected seed flow rates through the meter systems only.
The seed flow rates were set to provide the seeding rates at a travel speed of 5 mph (8 km/h) (Table 2).
The manifold systems and seed boots were tested using the Flexi-coil 1110 because its delivery system could provide four outlets. The Flexi-coil 1110 was also used to provide three seed flow rates and three fan speeds (2 750, 3 250, and 3 500 RPM) for each of the three crops (Table 3).
The seed boots were tested by running each of the three crops through the Steel Manifold at the medium seed flow rate and the low airflow rate.
Table 1. Component classification.
| Meters | Sample Tested |
| 1. Rubber cup (Externally fluted rubber roller) | Flexi-coil 1100 |
| 2. Plastic cup (Externally fluted plastic roller) | CI 1150 |
| 3. Steel auger | Chinook 1203 |
| 4. Double rolls (Double smooth rubber roller) | Wilrich 4150 |
| 5. Conveyor belt (Conveyor belt with air lock) | Leon S-45 |
 |
| Manifolds | Sample Tested |
| 1. No manifold [2.5 in (6.3cm) plastic hose] | No Brand |
| 2. Horizontal manifold (Fan shaped) | Morris |
| 3. Cushion manifold (Vertical) | Victory |
| 4. Steel manifold (Vertical-cushioning material removed and replaced with steel) | Chinook 1203 |
|
| Seed Boots | Sample Tested |
| 1. Straight hose | No brand |
| 2. Simple divider | Blanchard |
| 3. Paired row boot | Clark |
| 4. Split divider boot | Vern |
Table 2. Seeding rates.
| Low | Medium | High |
| lb/ac (kg/ha) | lb/ac (kg/ha) | lb/ac (kg/ha) |
| Princess Peas | 120 (136) | 140 (160) | 160 (182) |
| Trapper Peas | 90 (102) | 110 (125) | 130 (148) |
| Laird Lentils | 50 (57) | 70 (80) | 90 (102) |
Table 3. Airflow rates.
| Airflow Rate | Low | Medium | High |
| Fan Speed (rpm) | 2750 | 3250 | 3500 |
Princess Peas - Observations
Princess peas - crackage meters (Table 4)
No notable increase in crackage was observed in Princess Peas. Double Rolls caused a minimal amount of damage.
Distributor evaluation - seeding rate
No notable increase in crackage was observed in Princess Peas.
Distributor evaluation - airflow rate
No notable increase in crackage was observed in Princess Peas.
Seed boots
No notable increase in crackage was observed in Princess Peas.
Princess Peas - germination
(Table 4).
General
In Princess Peas, visual crackage determination in this case did not indicate future germination. There is no explanation for increases or decreases in germination due to mechanical handling. More research is required in this area.
Table 4. Summary of test results for Princess Peas. (Note: All results shown are rounded to the nearest 1%. All "minus" crackage is assumed to be of zero value).
Meter Evaluation |
| Princess Peas | % Increase Crackage | % Change Gemination |
| Type: | Low seed rate | Medium seed rate | High seed rate | Low seed rate | Medium seed rate | High seed rate |
| Steel auger | 0 | 0 | 0 | -18 | 1 | 4 |
| Plastic cup | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 1 | -14 |
| Rubber cup | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 5 |
| Double rolls | 1 | 2 | 1 | -7 | -3 | -29 |
| Conveyor belt | 1 | 0 | 1 | -2 | -17 | -29 |
|
Distributor Evaluation - Seeding Rate |
| Princess Peas | % Increase Crackage | % Change Gemination |
| Type: | Low seed rate | Medium seed rate | High seed rate | Low seed rate | Medium seed rate | High seed rate |
| No manifold | 0 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 9 | -1 |
| Horizontal manifold | 0 | 0 | 0 | -14 | -3 | 6 |
| Cushioned manifold | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | -6 | 4 |
| Steel manifold | 1 | 0 | 1 | -2 | -1 | 0 |
|
Distributor Evaluation - Airflow Rate |
| Princess Peas | % Increase Crackage | % Change Gemination |
| Type: | Low seed rate | Medium seed rate | High seed rate | Low seed rate | Medium seed rate | High seed rate |
| No manifold | 1 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 8 | 5 |
| Horizontal manifold | 0 | 0 | 1 | -3 | 6 | 0 |
| Cushioned manifold | 0 | 0 | 1 | -6 | -5 | -8 |
| Steel manifold | 0 | 0 | 0 | -1 | 8 | -5 |
|
Seed Boot Evaluation |
| Princess Peas | % Increase Crackage | % Change Gemination |
| Type: | Medium seed rate | Medium seed rate |
| Straight hose | 0 | 8 |
| Simple divider | 0 | 8 |
| Paired row | 0 | 9 |
| Split boot | 0 | 6 |
Meters
Princess Peas had decreased germination with: Steel Augers (low rate), Plastic Cups (high rate), Double Rolls (all rates) and Conveyor Belts (all rates). Increased germination was observed with: Steel Augers (high rate), Plastic Cups (low rate) and Rubber Cups (high rate).
The Rubber Cup Meter did the least harm in Princess Peas. Medium seed rates are advised as a starting point.
Distributor evaluation - seeding rate
Princess Peas had decreased germination with: Horizontal Manifolds (low to medium rate) and Cushioned Vertical Manifolds (medium rate).
Increased germination was observed with: No Manifold (low and medium rate), Horizontal Manifold (high rate) and Cushioned Vertical Manifold (low and high rates).
High seed rates gave better results with most distributors.
Distributor evaluation - airflow rate
Princess Peas had decreased germination with: Cushioned Vertical Manifold (all flows), Horizontal Manifolds (low flow) and Steel Manifolds (high flow).
Increased germination was observed with: No manifold (all flows), Horizontal Manifold (medium flow), and Steel Manifolds (medium flow).
Medium airflows are recommended.
Seed boots
Princess Peas had increased germination with all seed boots.
Trapper Peas - Observations
Trapper peas - crackage meters (Table 5)
No notable increase in crackage was observed in Trapper Peas. Steel Augers and Plastic Cups caused minimal amounts of damage at high seed rates. Rubber cups caused minimal amounts of damage at low seed rates.
Distributor evaluation - seeding rate
In Trapper Peas, crackage increased with: Horizontal Manifolds (medium to high rate) and Cushioned Vertical Manifolds (low rate).
Distributor evaluation - airflow rate
In Trapper Peas, no notable increase in crackage was observed. All components favoured higher airflow rates for reduced crackage.
Seed Boots
No notable increase in crackage was observed in Trapper Peas.
Trapper peas - germination
(Table 5).
General
In Trapper Peas, visual crackage determination in this case did not indicate future germination. There is no explanation for increases or decreases in germination due to mechanical handling. More research is required in this area.
Meters
Trapper Peas had decreased germination with Steel Augers (all rates), Double Rolls (all rates), Plastic Cups (medium to high rate), and Conveyor Belts (low to medium rates).
Increased germination was observed with: Rubber Cups (all rates) and Plastic Cups (low rate).
Table 5. Summary of test results for Trapper Peas. (Note: All results shown are rounded to the nearest 1%. All "minus" crackage is assumed to be of zero value).
Meter Evaluation |
| Trapper Peas | % Increase Crackage | % Change Gemination |
| Type: | Low seed rate | Medium seed rate | High seed rate | Low seed rate | Medium seed rate | High seed rate |
| Steel auger | 0 | 0 | 2 | -10 | -10 | -25 |
| Plastic cup | 1 | 1 | 2 | 5 | -7 | -13 |
| Rubber cup | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 8 |
| Double rolls | 0 | 0 | 0 | -14 | -10 | -24 |
| Conveyor belt | 0 | 0 | 0 | -7 | -10 | 3 |
|
Distributor Evaluation - Seeding Rate |
| Trapper Peas | % Increase Crackage | % Change Gemination |
| Type: | Low seed rate | Medium seed rate | High seed rate | Low seed rate | Medium seed rate | High seed rate |
| No manifold | 0 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 7 | 11 |
| Horizontal manifold | 0 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 2 | -2 |
| Cushioned manifold | 2 | 1 | 1 | -1 | -5 | 8 |
| Steel manifold | 0 | 0 | 1 | -14 | -19 | -5 |
|
Distributor Evaluation - Airflow Rate |
| Trapper Peas | % Increase Crackage | % Change Gemination |
| Type: | Low seed rate | Medium seed rate | High seed rate | Low seed rate | Medium seed rate | High seed rate |
| No manifold | 1 | 2 | 0 | 7 | 8 | -2 |
| Horizontal manifold | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -18 | -2 |
| Cushioned manifold | 1 | 2 | 0 | -5 | -15 | -2 |
| Steel manifold | 0 | 2 | 0 | -19 | 8 | -2 |
|
Seed Boot Evaluation |
| Trapper Peas | % Increase Crackage | % Change Gemination |
| Type: | Medium seed rate | Medium seed rate |
| Straight hose | 0 | 5 |
| Simple divider | 1 | 6 |
| Paired row | 1 | 10 |
| Split boot | 0 | 8 |
Distributor evaluation - seeding rate
Trapper Peas had decreased germination with: Cushioned Vertical Manifolds (low to medium rate) and Steel Manifolds (all rates).
Increased germination was observed with: No Manifold (all flows) and Horizontal Manifolds (low to medium flows).
Careful selection of seeding rates is advised.
Distributor evaluation - airflow rate
Trapper Peas had decreased germination with: Horizontal Manifolds (medium flow), Cushioned Vertical Manifolds (low to medium flow), and Steel Manifolds (low flow).
Increased germination was observed with: No manifold (low to medium flow) and Steel Manifolds (medium flow).
All manifolds recorded an identical, small decrease in germination at the high airflow rate.
Seed boots
All seed boots observed an increase in germination. The Paired Row Boot had the largest increase in germination.
Laird Lentils - Observations
Laird lentils - crackage general (Table 6).
Of the three crops, crackage due to mechanical handling by components was highest in Laird Lentils. The distributor (both with seeding rate and airflow rate) appeared to cause the greatest damage.
Meters
Laird Lentils experienced notable crackage with: Double Rolls (medium rate), Conveyor Belts (low and medium rate) and Plastic Cups (high rate).
Table 6. Summary of test results for Laird Lentils. (Note: All results are rounded to the nearest 1%. All "minus" crackage is assumed to be of zero value).
Meter Evaluation |
| Laird Lentils | % Increase Crackage | % Change Germination |
| Type: | Low seed rate | Medium seed rate | High seed rate | Low seed rate | Medium seed rate | High seed rate |
| Steel auger | 1 | 0 | 0 | -3 | 4 | -17 |
| Plastic cup | 0 | 0 | 3 | -15 | -2 | -5 |
| Rubber cup | 2 | 0 | 1 | 5 | -1 | -10 |
| Double rolls | 2 | 14 | 2 | 1 | -8 | 0 |
| Conveyor belt | 3 | 10 | 0 | -44 | -20 | -5 |
|
Distributor Evaluation - Seeding Rate |
| Laird Lentils | % Increase Crackage | % Change Germination |
| Type: | Low seed rate | Medium seed rate | High seed rate | Low seed rate | Medium seed rate | High seed rate |
| No manifold | 20 | 0 | 4 | -27 | -7 | 7 |
| Horizontal manifold | 9 | 0 | 6 | -22 | 2 | -17 |
| Cushioned manifold | 3 | 18 | 3 | -18 | -4 | -25 |
| Steel manifold | 10 | 10 | 5 | -9 | -1 | -5 |
|
Distributor Evaluation - Airflow Rate |
| Laird Lentils | % Increase Crackage | % Change Germination |
| Type: | Low seed rate | Medium seed rate | High seed rate | Low seed rate | Medium seed rate | High seed rate |
| No manifold | 18 | 0 | 14 | -7 | -5 | -2 |
| Horizontal manifold | 10 | 0 | 21 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| Cushioned manifold | 7 | 9 | 17 | -4 | 1 | -9 |
| Steel manifold | 6 | 11 | 25 | 1 | -10 | -19 |
|
Seed Boot Evaluation |
| Laird Lentils | % Increase Crackage | % Change Germination |
| Type: | Medium seed rate | Medium seed rate |
| Straight hose | 0 | -2 |
| Simple divider | 0 | -1 |
| Paired row | 8 | -18 |
| Split boot | 0 | -1 |
Distributor evaluation - seeding rate
In Laird Lentils, all distributors experienced crackage except: No Manifolds (medium rate) and Horizontal Manifolds (medium rate).
Distributor evaluation - airflow rate
In Laird Lentils, a low to medium airflow rate is preferred. All fan speeds caused lentil crackage except: No Manifold (medium flow) and Horizontal Manifold (medium flow).
Seed boots
In Laird Lentils, no crackage was observed except for the Paired Row Boot.
Laird lentils - germination general (Table 6)
In Laird Lentils, visual crackage determination in this case did not indicate future germination. There is no explanation for increases or decreases in germination due to mechanical handling. More research is required in this area.
Meters
Laird Lentils experienced decreased germination with all meters at nearly all seeding rates.
Large decreases in germination were observed with: Steel Augers (high rate), Double Rolls (medium rate), and Conveyor Belts (low to medium rate).
Increased germination was observed with: Steel Auger (medium rate) and Rubber Cups (low rate).
Distributor evaluation - seeding rate
Laird Lentils experienced decreased germination with all distributors at nearly all seeding rates. The most acceptable seed rate for most distributors was at the medium seed rate.
Large decreases in germination were observed with: All Distributors (low rate), Horizontal Manifold (high rate), and Cushioned Vertical (high rate).
Increased germination occurred with: No Manifold (high rate), Horizontal Manifolds (medium rates), and Steel Manifolds (medium rate).
Distributor evaluation - airflow rate
In Laird Lentils, all distributors produced decreased germination except the Horizontal Manifold which had a slight increase.
Large decreases in germination were observed with: No Manifold (low to medium flow), Cushioned Vertical (low and high flows), and Steel Manifolds (low flow).
Increased germination were experienced by: Horizontal Manifolds (all flows), Cushioned Vertical (medium flow) and Steel Manifolds (low flow).
Seed Boots
In Laird Lentils, all seed boots caused a decrease in germination. A large decrease was observed with the Paired Row Boot, while the others had minimal decreases.
Note: The reader is cautioned that this information is only a summary of the test results. For complete information, contact PAMI at 1-800-567-PAMI and ask for Report #RH0289 (cost: $5.00).
(Funded by ADF and SPCDB) |
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