Design and Field Experiment of Synchronous Hole Fertilization Device for Maize Sowing

Feng Pan, Jincheng Chen, Baiwei Wang, Ziheng Fang, Jinxin Liang, Kangkang He and Chao Ji ()
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Feng Pan: Institute of Mechanical Equipment, Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural and Reclamation Science, Shihezi 832000, China
Jincheng Chen: Institute of Mechanical Equipment, Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural and Reclamation Science, Shihezi 832000, China
Baiwei Wang: Institute of Mechanical Equipment, Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural and Reclamation Science, Shihezi 832000, China
Ziheng Fang: Institute of Mechanical Equipment, Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural and Reclamation Science, Shihezi 832000, China
Jinxin Liang: Institute of Mechanical Equipment, Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural and Reclamation Science, Shihezi 832000, China
Kangkang He: Institute of Mechanical Equipment, Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural and Reclamation Science, Shihezi 832000, China
Chao Ji: Institute of Mechanical Equipment, Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural and Reclamation Science, Shihezi 832000, China

Agriculture, 2025, vol. 15, issue 13, 1-23

Abstract: The disadvantages of traditional strip fertilization technology for corn planting in China include low fertilizer utilization rates, unstable operation quality, and environmental pollution. Therefore, in this study, a synchronous hole fertilization device for corn planting based on real-time intelligent control is designed, aiming to reduce fertilizer application and increase efficiency through the precise alignment technology of the seed and fertilizer. This device integrates an electric drive precision seeding unit, a slot wheel hole fertilization unit, and a multi-sensor coordinated closed-loop control system. An STM32 single-chip micro-computer is used to dynamically analyze the seed–fertilizer timing signal, and a double closed-loop control strategy (the position loop priority is higher than the speed loop) is used to correct the spatial phase difference between the seed and fertilizer in real time to ensure the precise control of the longitudinal distance (40~70 mm) and the lateral distance (50~80 mm) of the seed and fertilizer. Through the Box–Behnken response surface method, a field multi-factor test was carried out to analyze the mechanism of influence of the implemented forward speed ( A ), per-hole target fertilizing amount ( B ), and plant spacing (fertilizer hole interval) ( C ) on the seed–fertilizer alignment qualification rate ( Y 1 ) and the coefficient of variation in the hole fertilizing amount ( Y 2 ). The results showed that the order of primary and secondary factors affecting Y 1 was A > C > B , and that the order affecting Y 2 was C > B > A ; the comprehensive performance of the device was best with the optimal parameter combination of A = 4.2 km/h, B = 4.4 g, and C = 30 cm, with Y 1 as high as 94.024 ± 0.694% and Y 2 as low as 3.147 ± 0.058%, which is significantly better than the traditional strip application method. The device realizes the precise regulation of 2~6 g/hole by optimizing the structural parameters of the outer groove wheel (arc center distance of 25 mm, cross-sectional area of 201.02 mm 2 , effective filling length of 2.73~8.19 mm), which can meet the differentiated agronomic needs of ordinary corn, silage corn, and popcorn. Field verification shows that the device significantly improves the spatial distribution of the concentration of fertilizer, effectively reduces the amount of fertilizer applied, and improves operational stability and reliability in multiple environments. This provides technical support for the regional application of precision agricultural equipment.

Keywords: precision agriculture; maize; seed–fertilizer synchronous application; hole fertilizing; regulatory systems; field experiment (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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