Planting machinery (drills/planters)

For accurate and precise seeding, the crop should be drilled using a multicrop planter with a
precise seed-metering system (e.g., inclined plate, cupping system, or vertical plates) (Fig. 11B–
D; Gopal et al., 2010; Gupta et al., 2006). With these precise seed-metering planters, rice can be
established with a lower seed rate and more precise plant-to-plant spacing can be maintained.
Normal fluted roller-type seed-cum-fertilizer drills are less suitable for drill seeding of rice as the
seeds fall continuously. This makes it difficult to maintain the seed rate and plant-to-plant
spacing as accurate and precise as that in inclined-/cupping-/vertical-plate seed-metering systems
(Gopal et al., 2010; Gupta et al., 2006). It is difficult to drill rice at a low seed rate of 20–25 kg
ha− 1 with a fluted roller seed drill because it breaks the seeds. If farmers do not have inclined-
plate planters, they can seed at a lower rate with a normal drill by mixing with sand to increase
the seed volume and opening of the fluted roller so that breakage of rice can be avoided
(Gopal et al., 2010). Sesbania (a leguminous green manure) seeds can also be mixed to achieve
the same purpose. Sesbania is then killed with 2,4-D about 30 days after seeding (Singh et al.,
2007). The PTOS is most commonly used for seeding rice in Nepal and Bangladesh. The PTOS
has a seeding device attached to the power tiller (Chinese hand tractor). It tills the soil shallow
(4–5 cm), sows seed in rows, and covers it with soil at the same time in a single pass.
Specialized machines are required for ZT-dry-DSR with loose crop residue. Recently, different
machines have been evaluated and refined to seed under loose residue, especially after combine
harvest in South Asia (Gopal et al., 2010; Sharma et al., 2008; Sidhu et al., 2008; Singh, 2008).
Some of the machines that can be used for seeding rice with surface residues are briefly
discussed here:
9.2.5.1 Turbo seeder
With this machine, rice can be drilled into a loose residue mulch load of up to 8–
10 t ha− 1 (Gopal et al., 2010; M. K. Gathala, personal communication). It shreds the residues in
the narrow strip in front of the tine openers and places seeds and fertilizer using an inverted-T-
type opener. The seed-metering system on currently manufactured machines comprises fluted
rollers, as this machine was originally designed for sowing wheat into rice residues. Minor
redesign is in progress to provide a better seeding mechanism (inclined plate) for rice.
9.2.5.2 PCR planter
This is an advanced version of the turbo seeder/planter. It has a multicrop precise seed-metering
system (vertical plates) with adjustable row arrangements. It is capable of seeding into a residue
load of up to 8–10 t ha− 1 (Gopal et al., 2010).
9.2.5.3 Double-disc coulters
In this machine, double-disc coulters are fitted in place of tines to place seed and fertilizer into
the loose residues. This machine can drill seeds into a loose residue load of up to 3–4 t ha− 1. A
limitation with this machine is that, being lightweight (0.3 t), it fails to cut through the residues,
resulting in some seed and fertilizer being placed on the surface of residues (Gopal et al., 2010;
Sharma et al., 2008).
9.2.5.4 Rotary-disc drill
It is based on a rotary-till mechanism. It is mounted on a three-point linkage system and is
powered through the power take-off shaft of the tractor. The rotor is a horizontal transverse shaft
having six to nine flanges fitted with a straight disc for a cutting effect while rotating at 220 rpm
(Singh et al., 2008). The rotating discs cut the residue and make a narrow slit into the soil to
facilitate placement of seed and fertilizer. This machine can be used under loose residue,
anchored residue, and residue-free conditions. It can handle a residue load of 7–8 t ha− 1. This
machine's limitation is the blunting of front-powered discs, which, however, can be overcome by
using discs of greater strength (Sharma et al., 2008).

Kumar, Virender, Ladha Jagdish K. “Seed drill - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics” 2011,
https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/seed-drill