Laboratory and Field Studies of the Sowing System for Mosaic Sowing

The paper highlights the importance of improving arable land productivity. The production of a balanced forage mass is influenced by crop selection, sowing methods, and seed placement precision. ( Research purpose ) The study aims to identify key factors and assess their impact on the structural parameters and operating modes of the seeding mechanism. ( Materials and methods ) Mosaic sowing was performed using an SN-16 seeder equipped with a modified hopper. The experimental design considered belt speed, crop type, and hopper shape as significant factors. Response variables included deviations from the target sowing coordinates and the performance indicators of the seeding mechanism. A full factorial experimental design matrix was developed to evaluate the effects of these factors. ( Results and discussion ) A series of trials was conducted using a laboratory setup, followed by planned field testing of the SN-16 seeder equipped with the modified hopper. Sowing quality was evaluated based on seed placement depth, deviation from the centerline, and plant density per unit area. These indicators varied across different sections of the test field, but overall, the sowing quality met the established agronomic standards. For grain crops, the deviation of the average seeding depth from the target value did not exceed 15 percent, while for small-seeded crops, it remained within 5 percent in most cases. Depth variation was primarily attributed to uneven terrain across the test plots. Field germination, defined as the proportion of emerged plants to the number of seeds sown, reached 90 percent. ( Conclusions ) The use of the SN-16 seeder equipped with a modified hopper for mosaic sowing demonstrates promising potential. The cultivation quality of the tested crops was found to be satisfactory according to key agronomic indicators.