Corn and sunflower seeds. А new approach in processing, calibration and preparation for sowing

Corn and sunflower seeds. A new approach to processing, calibration and preparation for sowing

CORN AND SUNFLOWER SEEDS. CALIBRATION. NEW SOLUTIONS

  And again about seeds. This time about corn and sunflower seeds - today this is the strategy of Ukrainian agribusiness.

Corn

Recent studies have shown the importance of two parameters affecting the yield of corn - mass of 1000 pieces. seeds and sowing depth.

The generalized results of the study of this dependence for three years (2014...2016) and six hybrids are shown in Fig. 1

Fig.1. Dependence of yield on weight of 1000 pcs. corn seeds and sowing depth. [1]

The patterns (Fig. 1.) are easily explained: the higher the mass of 1000 pcs. seeds, the higher the yield and large seeds must be sown deeper (11 cm in the experiment). This is understandable, since at such a depth large seeds receive enough moisture to swell, and the amount of nutrients is sufficient for successful germination from such a depth.

In my opinion, the picture of research would be more complete if the seeds of each fraction, weighing 1000 pieces, were divided by shape - into round and flat.

The fact is that the seeds in a corn cob (like the seeds of all other plants) receive nutrition selectively. First of all, nutrition during the formation of a corn cob almost entirely goes to those seeds that are located in the middle of the cob.

Fig.2. Distribution of corn seeds on the cob by size.

Rice. 3. Dependence of corn yield on the density of seeds and their location on the cob (Makrushin M. M., 1994)

Despite the fact that the seeds located in the middle of the cob are inferior in volume to the seeds in its lower part, they have a distinctive feature - they are denser than the seeds located in the lower and upper parts of the cob. These seeds have higher growth vigor and higher productivity.

It is these seeds that we call strong (Fig. 3). Field germination of corn seeds also confirms the best sowing qualities of the seeds of the central part of the cob (Fig. 4).

Fig.4 Field germination of whole and damaged corn seeds (hybrid) VIR-25

Rice. 5. Shape of corn seeds from different parts of the cob.

Similar studies were carried out 25 years ago.

But if we look at the shape of the seeds, it is easy to see that these very strong seeds have a rather flattened appearance relative to the seeds located in the lower and upper parts of the corn cob.

It is for this reason that our technology for preparing corn seeds, or rather the seed calibration line, allows us to select the most productive seeds based on their shape. The share of which in the cob is about 75%.

Fadeev sieves (hexagonal holes) are installed on the upper tier of calibrating sieves, the permeability of which is much higher than on sieves with round holes, and Fadeev sieves are installed on the lower tier of calibrating sieves, on which the corn seed is rotated and measured to the thickness of the sieve.

Flat ones pass, round ones go away. And so each fraction in width is divided into round and flat in thickness (Fig. 7).

Fig.7. Calibration based on corn completion.

Rice. 8 Equipment is ready for shipment to the customer.

SUNFLOWER

For sunflower the picture is the opposite.

In the sunflower cap, the achenes vary significantly in size, especially in dry years. This is clearly visible in the yield of sunflower oil when processing sunflower seeds (Fig. 9).

Fig.9. Comparison of oil content in sunflower seeds (Fursova A.K., 1984).

Fig. 10 Characteristic dimensions of a sunflower achene.

At the same time, the width of the achene in the center of the basket on the periphery differs slightly. This is explained by the fact that during the formation of a sunflower achene, the husk is laid at the beginning and only then does the nucleolus gain volume, the mass of which (read the amount of nutrients for the embryo) is determined, first of all, by its thickness (Fig. 10).

Since the density of the sunflower kernel is approximately 10 times higher than the density of the husk, the weight is 1000 pcs. seeds are determined, first of all, by the size and the ratio of the mass of the kernel to the mass of the husk, i.e. fulfillment.
It is well known that with almost equal dimensions of length and width, sunflower achenes weigh 1000 pcs. seeds may differ by 1.5...2 times. This difference is due to the difference in the thickness of the achenes.

Rice. 11. Dependence of yield on weight of 1000 pcs. achenes of the same size (width and length) is well known.

Our proposal for sunflower calibration allows us to remove puny (underdeveloped, low-productive seeds) from the seed during calibration, since on the sieves of the new geometry, each seed is rotated and measured to the caliber of the sieve thickness. That is, in essence, there is a calibration based on the thickness of the nucleolus, since the thickness of the nucleolus differs from the thickness of the whole sunflower achene by 0.8...1.0 mm. (Fig. 12).

Rice. 12. Calibration of sunflower seeds by thickness on Fadeev sieves.

Thus, on our proposed line for calibrating corn and sunflower, from each fraction of sunflower seeds calibrated by the size of the width of the achenes on the upper sieves, puny, low-yielding seeds will be completely removed on the sieves of the lower tier of sieves. It is for this reason that this arrangement of calibrators seems promising to us.

Rice. 13 Work process for calibrating corn seeds on a drum separator.

Some experts recommend using drum separators for sizing corn.

I strongly disagree with this for two reasons:

  1. The drum separator damages the seeds. In the process of pouring a mass of seeds into such a separator, the “driver” is the grains stuck in the holes like pins, and each seed, under the influence of the heap, is loaded by bending and breaking, like a pinched beam (strengthening material).
  2. Using this technology, it is impossible to obtain strict calibration of corn and sunflower seeds.

Links to study authors:

[1] The infusion of official technologies into the formation of a mass of 1000 grains and the productivity of corn hybrids. V. D. Palamarchuk, Ph.D. Agricultural Sciences. (Agronomist No. 4 leaf fall 2019)

[2] Injured seeds and its prevention. M. “Spike” Strona I. G. 1972

Candidate of Technical Sciences, Associate Professor, Director of the Fadeev Agro Plant Fadeev L.V.

Last Articles

Application for consultation