Seed Feeding Robot for Selection Seed Drill

Abstract

In the context of import substitution, accelerating the development of grain, legume, and other crop breeding sectors is crucial to create new varieties and increase seed material volumes. Robotization of crop production operations can enable faster solution, cut manual labor costs, and enhance breeding productivity. (Research purpose) To design a seed-feeding robot for the sowing apparatus of a selection seed drill and develop recommendations for its use at the second and third stages of breeding. (Materials and methods) The robot was engineered to meet standards for sowing grains, legumes, and other crops on breeding plots. A method was proposed to select single- or multi-level robots for seed feeding based on the breeding area. (Results and discussion) A structural diagram and operation algorithm were developed for a carousel-type robot integrable into various cassette selection seed drills. A formula was derived for robot application based on breeding site parameters and required cassette quantities. (Conclusions) Laboratory tests of the robotic cassette-loading device or seed-feeding robot at the second and third breeding stages demonstrated the potential for a 12 percent reduction in sowing time and 20–30 percent productivity.