Field Tests of Seed Openers and Data Analysis

Openers are the major components of a seeder, and the performance of openers affects the performance of the seeding operation and crop yield. Atom-Jet Industries manufactures hoe type openers, the most popular openers in Western Canada. For the past 20 years, Atom-Jet has been continuously improving the performance of their openers to provide farmers with high precision and long lasting openers. In the proposed project, field tests will be conducted to evaluate the performance of Atom-Jet openers, and to compare the performance of Atom-Jet openers with other openers on the market. Field tests will involve different soil types (sandy, loam, and clay soils) to examine whether those openers will perform the same in these contrasting soil conditions. Field tests will also involve different crop types (canola, wheat, pea, etc.). These crops are contrasting crops in terms of their seed sizes, seeding rate, and seeding depth. Field measurements will be performed on soil disturbance, force/power requirement, and crop response resulting from different openers under different types of soils and crops. The results will be used by Atom-Jet to improve the design of their openers and to market their openers as well.

Faculty Supervisor:

Ying Chen

Student:

Partner:

Atom-Jet Group

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Manufacturing

University:

University of Manitoba

Program: