TECHNICAL EVALUATION OF THREE PNEUMATICAL AND MECHANICAL PLANTERS COMMONLY USED FOR SUGAR BEET SOWING IN KHORASAN AREA

In order to evaluate different planters for mechanized sugarbeet planting, this study was conducted in Khorasan province (Jovein area). Field tests were conducted using strip plot design. Experimental factors consisted of: i) planting methods with Tarashkadeh vaccum planter (a₁) Rau vaccum planter (a₂) and Accord plate-type mechanical planter (a₃) and ii) forward speeds with planting speed at 4 km/h (b₁) and planting speed at 6 km/h (b₂). In this study root yield, sugar porcent, planter wheel slippage, seed damage, seed germination, plant stand, seed consumption and drilled seed distribution were measured. It was shown that planter type had significant effect on yield at 5% probability level. Maximum yield was obtained using Rau planter with 4 km/h forward speed (96.67 ton/ha). Planter type and planting speed also had significant effect on germination at 1% probability level, but their interaction was not significant. Tarashkadeh vaccum planter with 4 km/h forward speed had maximum seed germination (77.67%). Coefficients of seed distribution were measured for all planters and Tarashkadeh vaccum planter with 4 km/h forward speed had maximum seed distribution uniformity in adjusted distances (56.89%) and in average distances (58.62%). Consequently pneumatic planters had better performance than mechanical planters and Tarashkadeh vaccum planter was better than other pneumatic planters.