Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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The ~resent invention relates to a process for the
sowing of seeds, comprising the step of sowing the individual seed
grains in rows arranged parallel to one another in which rows
the individual seed grains are in general arranged in alignment
with one another. The present invention further relates to an
apparatus for carrying out this process.
In the conventional processes, the seed grain is sown
in rows spaced at equal distances from another. This equal E
distance between the rows is at present about 4.7 inches for grain.
10 The conventional processes have the disadvantage that the young
plants do not get enough light and air due to the comparatively
narrow distance between the rows, while a simple widening of the
distance between the rows would decrease the yield.
In order to overcome these disadvantages, it has been
suggested to stagger the individual seed grains in each row in
relation to one another and to leave correspondingly wider
distances between the individual rows. But this solution is also r
unsatisfactory, since the plants themselves are spaced relatively
close to one another. Similar disadvantages are inherent to the
20 conventional process in which changes of the distance between the
rows are used to achieve any given configuration of seeds, such
as squares and serpentines, with individual grains as well
as with dibbling. (C.f. Australian Patent Specification No.
169,486).
The present inventïon provides a process which secures
optimum conditions of air and light for the germinating and
growing plants and thus a better yield per area unit.
The present invention also provides an apparatus for
the sowing of seed grain which secures an improved arrangement
30 of the seeds.
According to the present invention there is provided
a process for the sowing of grain, comprising the step of sowing
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~- the individual grains in parallel rows so that individual
grains are in general alignment with one another, -the improvement
comprising the steps of alternating the distances between the
parallel rows of grain by sowing the grains in pairs of
proximate, parallel rows, and separating each pair of proximate
rows from an adjacent pair of proximate rows by a distance which
is greater than a spacing between the proximate pair of rows, and
covering the rows of grain with earth.
In accordance with the present invention the distances
between said parallel rows of seed grain are alternated to such
an extent that each two rows (which form a proximate row pair)
are separated by a distance which is greater than the spacing
between said two proximate rows. This increased lateral distance
separating each pair of parallel, adjacent rows from the next
pair of rows secures the optimum conditions of light and air
for each individual plant, which in turn promotes the development
of the plants. In particular, this improves the formation of
- the stalks, since the plants are able to develop more lateral
sprouts than is the case in known processes. The stalks are highe~
and stronger, thus having increased resistance to wind and rain,
and also yield much larger ears of grain. This leads to an ove~a~
improvement in the yield of grain and straw per unit area.
The process of the invention does not entail additio~a~
work or the application of additional fertilizer in compariso~
to the processes of prior art. Exploitation of the soil keeps
within normal limits. The process of the invention is
particularly suitable for the sowing of granular seed such as
corn, rye, wheat, barley and oats.
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, ~ -
the distance separating adjacent row pairs of seed grain is 1.4
to 2.4 times greater than the spacing between the proximate rows L
of each row pair, preferably, the distance separating the row
pairs is 1.7 to 2.0 times greater than the spacing between the
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~049849
proximate rows. Teats have shown that these distances and spacings
secure optimum yields. Moreover, considerable amounts of seed
can be saved this way. This particularly applies in comparison
to those conventional processes according to which the individual E
grains of seed are staggered in relation to one another in the
rows.
The apparatus for carrying out the process according
to the invention ln general comprises a casing supporting a r
container for the seed grain and a plurality of sowing means
10 or shares being connected to said container and being spaced
from one another along the working width of the apparatus, by
alternatingly.different distances so that each pair of proximate
sowing means is separated from the next or adjacent pair of
sowing means by a spacing which is greater than the spacing
between said two proximate sowing means. This ensures the sowing
in the desired distances between the rows. It should be mentione~ 3
in this context that it has long been known to provide sowing
apparatus with means for changing the distance between the ;
furrows. These means allow changing of the distances between
the rows step by step or infinitely variably, while the distances
of the rows in relation to one another always remain the same
(c.f. Austrian Patent Specification No. 92602).
A preferred embodiment of the apparatus according ~
the invention provides for at least one plow share or accumulatir,g
means to be arranged in the respective larger distances between
the adjacent pairs of sowing shares, the accumulating means being
arranged in the driving directionbehind the sowing shares. This
ensures each row of seeds getting covered or slightly heaped with
dirt about 0.8 inches high.
The invention is explained in detail with reference to F
the accompanying drawing showing an embodiment of an apparatus
according to the invention, in which
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Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic section of an apparatus
according to the invention and
Fig. 2 the seed configuration to be achieved by means
of this apparatus.
The apparatus shown is a row-sowing apparatus and
comprises a casinq 3 supported on the ground by running wheels
1, 2, the casing 3 being provided with connections for attaching
it to the three-point hoisting unit of a tractor. These
connections are known and therefore not shown in the drawing.
The casing 3 is provided with a plurality of sowing
means in the form of sowing shares 4, 5, 6, 7, etc., spatially
arranged across the working width of the apparatus. In order
to adapt them to uneven terrain, the sowing shares 4, 5, 6, 7,
etc. can be spring-loaded. Spaced above the sowing shares 4, 5,
6, 7, etc., a container 8 for seed grain is arranged. Seed
grain rollers 9 are rotatably mounted in the seed grain container 3
8 and connected to a power means not shwon in the drawing.
The container 8 is provided with sight openings 10 for controlling
the amount of seed. From the container 8, the seed grain is ~;
conveyed by means of the seed grain rollers 9 through openings
in the bottom of the container 8 to the sowing shares 4, 5, 6
7, etc., in the required quantities. Eor this purpose, the
speed of the seed grain rollers can be adjusted by means of
a step gear. The seed grain rollers could be replaced by a
centrifugal sowing device to be connected to the individual
sowing shares via seed lines. These embodiments are known per
se.
Essential for the apparatus shown is the fact that the
distances between the individual sowing shares arranged sequential~y
are mutually different. The spacing B between the proximate
sowing shares 4 and 5 alternates with a distance A which is larger
than spacing B. The same applies to the following sowing shares
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O and 7; the subsequent distance Al is aqain greater than
the spacing B1 between the sowing 6 and 7. However, the
distances A, Al and the spacings B, Bl are equal. For the sowing
of grain, these distances were chosen,for example, as follows:
A = 9.0 inches, B = 4.3 inches. An apparatus with a working
width of about 100 inches is thus provided with 16 sowing shares.
The distances of the seeds within the row can be changed depending
upon the type of seed. In another example, it was found that
- distances A = 7.9 inches and B = 4.7 inches are particularly
favourable.
For accumulating soil on the rows of seeds, the apparatus
is provided with plow shares 11, which are respectively
arranged within (as viewed in the driving direction of movement
of the apparatus through the field) the larger lateral distances
A, Al. These plow shares 11 are arranged in the driving direction
of the apparatus behind the sowing shares 4, 5, 6, 7, etc. It $
is of advantage, however, to provide two each accumulating
means, 12, for instance accumulating bars, instead of the
plow share.
For sowing,it is practical to break up the clods in
the soil to make it crumbly.
When sowing according to the process of the inventio~,
the lateral spacing between each two proximate rows of seeds ca
thus be chosen equal to or narrower than these spacings in the
conventional processes. The alternatingly occurring greater
distance allows for a considerable saving in seed as compare~ L
to the known processes. The improveddevelopment and better
growth of the plants make possible an increase in yield of about
25~ as comapred to the conventional processes at equal growing
area and otherwise unchanged conditions, with a 30~ saving in seed.
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