DE10159127C2 - Use of imitation seeds to test the function of precision seeders - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to an imitation seed, which in the form of replicas pelleted seeds for testing the functionality of technical Facilities is used.

It is common knowledge that seeds are generally used for optimal use is pretreated. In many cases, seed is dressed in order to plant production a high emergence rate of the sown seed and a good one  To achieve young plant development, the stain dry or wet on the Seed surface can be applied.

Furthermore, the seeds are pelleted to optimize the sowing technique to form uniformly round, the pilling material being primarily a covering material which may also contain seed-protective substances.

In addition to choosing the right one, a prerequisite for the desired effect is Treatment agents and their concentration on the homogeneous and permanent distribution the seed.

It is also known that the active ingredients are applied in an aqueous suspension which is applied to the seeds in the fluidized bed in the film coating process, with this method, too, the main objective is that the individual Seeds are coated, in their coating the corresponding active ingredients are introduced, which should maintain the germination capacity of the seed, what especially the emergence behavior of young plant development. On the other hand are used for pest control in biocides such as fungicides, bactericides and insecticides introduced the coating, which also the germination and growth of Should have a positive effect on seedlings.

The essential plant nutrients are, for example, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, Magnesium, calcium and sulfur are used.

These active ingredients and nutrients are thereby dry or wet pickled, incrusted, Pilling or applied to the individual seeds in the fluidized bed, this with the A major goal is to maintain and promote the seed's ability to germinate.

The known methods and methods are primarily geared towards the seed to be treated in such a way that it is available as coated or pelleted individual seeds and in this form also for sowing.

The preparation and training of the individual seeds is a prerequisite for Precipitation, seedling development and plant growth.  

Another requirement for a good field emergence of the seeds and thus for one good yield is that the individual seeds also in isolated form and in the desired distances from each other in the ground.

This introduction takes place via seeders, so-called precision seeders which should ensure reliable grain placement.

So when checking the condition of technical systems and equipment Sowing that is used in handling pelleted seeds, uses seeds produced in this way. This means that when using real seeds to check sowing equipment Before sowing, a clear clarification of the cause of subsequent poor field yields is difficult. Even if the germination capacity of the seeds complies with the standards, can the cause of an unsatisfactory field emergence in the seeds, if by Pilling defects affect the placement accuracy of the seeder.

The seeds used for testing purposes can only be used once and under Note that to check and measure the technical equipment per coulter about 1000 to 2000 grains are consumed and usually four measuring runs different driving speeds per coulter are common, it becomes clear that these Condition checks are associated with considerable costs for the seed.

The object of the invention is therefore an imitation seed in the form of replicas to develop pelleted seeds, which are often used to check the condition technical equipment, especially precision sowing machines and Separation facilities, can be used, the uncertainties in the assessment Examination of the technical equipment fixed, the costs reduced and the disadvantages of the known solutions are largely eliminated.

According to the invention the object is achieved with the features of claim 1.

Preferred features that advantageously further develop the invention are according to the orderly patent claims.  

So an imitation seed in the form of replicas of pilled grains created, which consists of a plastic, i.e. a plastic, the Filler materials are added.

The filler materials are admixtures of materials different consistency and quality, depending on the application and on the intended use of the imitation seed in the individual grain of the imitation seed good are involved.

Glass fiber and iron powder are used as filler materials. Glass fibers in smallest form, which the strength of each individual grain, in particular the Breaking strength, increase while iron powder as a weight-determining admixture is used. Because of the ferromagnetic property of the iron powder there is also the possibility of inductively working sensors in the seed drills or in the To be able to use isolation devices for inductive detection / testing to be able to make.

In addition to glass fiber and iron powder, other filler materials can be used come, the formation of the shape and weight of the imitation seeds form, so that this imitation seed of the shape and weight of the Corresponds to the norm values of real pelleted seeds.

The ratio of plastic to the added filler materials of an individual The grain of the imitation seed is approximately 10: 1 to 10: 3, based on this the weight of a single imitation seed from 23 to 24 mg.

Plastics are used as starting materials for the imitation seed, so for example polyethylenes, polyamides or polypropylenes.

Imitation seeds produced in this way correspond to the real ones in terms of weight and shape pelleted seed, however, has a higher breaking strength and thus higher wear properties, so that this imitation seed is often used for testing purposes can be used. Both capacitive and  also optical sensors or infrared sensors can be used, whereby by the Addition of the ferromagnetic material the conditions are given inductively working sensors, preferably designed as ring sensors.

The present invention is not, as in DE 195 33 404 C2, about the quantitative detection of the plant protection product on the individual seeds by a physical measurement process to provide proof of quality for the active ingredient equipment have but the use of an imitation seed for testing the Functional capabilities of technical facilities, especially of Precision seeders with which real seeds are deposited in practical use. Accordingly, it is also not the goal to measure with the imitation seed Verification of the amount of active ingredient applied to the individual seed but the use of an imitation seed.

The advantage of imitation seeds is that they are used widely costs can be saved; because occur in practical use Insufficient results in field emergence, these disadvantages can vary Have causes. The measurement results certify a correct grain placement, which in itself contradict the results of the field emergence, the Determination of the cause of the insufficient result can be expanded. Therefore lies the Proof of the germination guarantee on the part of the seed manufacturer must be clarified whether mechanical injuries to the real seed occur during the sowing process or other property parameters of the seed influence the placement accuracy.

If the seed producer can demonstrate that his seed Dimensional standards as well as the values for abrasion and breaking strength is determine that the seeder allows correct placement settings, but in its current quality of seeds mechanically stressed too much and as a result damaged.

These demonstrations or verifications can effectively with the developed Imitation seeds are carried out, since this in its nature, its size, Shape and weight is adapted to that of the real seed or corresponds and in  Result a real statement on the functionality of the technical used Facilities.

The essence of the present invention is thus that one out of two or more Components, namely a plastic and one or more filler materials existing imitation seeds, which in their form, their proportions and its weight fraction corresponds to that of a real seed, for the condition check technical facilities can be used in many ways.

Significant advantages are achieved, since the manufacture and use of the Imitation seeds, their manufacturing costs as well as the cost of materials and the manufacturing costs are significantly reduced.

The subject matter of the present invention results not only from the Subject of the individual claims, but also from the combination of individual claims among themselves.

The present invention is explained in more detail below.

The plastics used are processed, for example as an emulsion, to which the filler materials are mixed, and in the subsequent process step the imitation seed is produced from this mixture. This can be done in extrusion process or take place in a spray process.

In a preferred embodiment, the imitation seed is by means of the Foamskin process manufactured, which should always be selected when plastics higher density are used, for example polypropylene.

The filler material used, glass fiber, gives the individual grain of the imitation seed a high level of strength, in particular a high breaking strength, and at the same time gives the individual grain a resistant outer wear cover. The ferromagnetic material used, for example an ST 37 in finely divided form, is stored both inside the individual grain and in its outer layer, so that sowing machine testing devices with inductive sensors can also be used, since the inductive sensors, which are designed as ring sensors, for example sensitized by the ferromagnetic material, thus counting or recording the deposited individual grains of the imitation seed is possible. For example, commercially available inductive ring sensors, which even with an inner diameter of approx. 5 mm, can perceive and record the ferromatic material present in the individual imitation seed grain with a volume of approx. 0.3 mm ³ . This volume fraction corresponds to a fraction of approximately 0.3% of the total volume of an individual grain and can be increased for reasons of the functional reliability of the ring sensors and with regard to possible jamming of the imitation seeds to be tested.

Claims (4)

1. Use of imitation seeds to test the function of precision sowing machines, characterized in that the individual grains of the imitation seeds consist of a plastic to which filler materials are added in a certain percentage by weight to the total mass of each individual grain. 2. Use of imitation seeds according to claim 1, characterized in that that finely ground glass fibers and / or as filler materials ferromagnetic material, a material ST 37, are used with a weight percentage of the total mass of approx. 10% to 30% in the individual grain are embedded. 3. Use of imitation seeds according to claims 1 and 2, characterized characterized that the individual grains of the imitation seeds in shape, weight and size Correspond to the norm values of real pelleted seeds. 4. Use of imitation seeds according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized characterized that as plastic a polyethylene, a polyamide or a polypropylene for Come into play.