Effect of seeding speed and graphite lubricant on soybean plantability

ABSTRACT This study aimed to assess the efficiency of soybean seed distribution in the soil, which directly influences crop yield, using graphite as a solid lubricant, a common practice to improve seed dosing fluidity. The effect of sowing speed and seed chemical treatment on distribution in the furrow, final plant population, and yield was investigated. The experiment used Federer´s augmented block design with 10 treatments, five sowing speeds (4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 km h-1) and two seed treatments (with and without 4 g of graphite lubricant per kilogram of seeds). High sowing speeds increased uneven seed distribution, while graphite lubricant significantly improved plant spacing and crop yield. This study reinforces the importance of precise sowing speed adjustment and proper seed treatment to optimize soybean plant distribution in the field. Graphite lubricant proved to be effective at reducing spacing failures and increasing crop yield. These findings underscore the relevance of precision agriculture and the use of technology to ensure efficient and sustainable sowing operations.