Graphite action on the longitudinal distribution of soybean seeds in mechanical and pneumatic feeders

ABSTRACT. The use of powdered graphite as a solid lubricant to reduce friction among soybean seeds during mechanical sowing aims to facilitate the seed flow into the seed reservoir, while reducing mechanical damage to the seed. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of graphite on the longitudinal deposition of soybean seeds using mechanical and pneumatic feeders at different distribution velocities. The experiment was performed on a static simulation-test bench, with a completely randomized design with two varying factors: graphite dose (0, 1, 2, 4, and 8 g kg-1 seed) and distribution velocity (5, 7, 9, and 11 km h-1 for the pneumatic feeder; and 3, 5, 7, and 9 km h-1 for the mechanical feeder). To assess the homogeneity of seed distribution, the frequency of parameters such as double, flawed, and acceptable spacings, coefficient of variation, and precision index were evaluated from five repetitions of 250 spacing each. For the pneumatic feeder, the optimal values to maximize precision of seed deposition were 4.6 g kg-1 and 6.7 km h-1 of graphite dose and distribution velocity, respectively. In turn, the optimal values to minimize undesirable spacing while maximizing accuracy with the mechanical feeder were 4.9±0.6 g kg-1 and 4.9±0.3 km h-1. Overall, regardless of feeding mechanism, the use of graphite promoted greater efficiency in the distribution of seeds owing to the higher level of fluidity inside the reservoir; however, high doses can cause the opposite effect. In addition, an excessive increase in speed influenced seed distribution negatively.