The effect of forward speed on sowing quality in grain corn cultivation and evaluation with statistical process control method

This study, it was aimed to determine the effect of forward speed on the quality of the sowing process in grain corn cultivation and to evaluate it by the Statistical Process Control method in the producer's plots in Arifiye/Sakarya. In determining the quality of the sowing process, plant spacing uniformity, seeding depth uniformity, and ratio of plant emergence were used. The miss index, the multiple index, and acceptable plant spacing were determined for planting spacing uniformity on the row. It was obtained that there was not a statistically significant effect of the forward speed (3.6 km/h, 5.4 km/h, and 7.2 km/h) on the parameters. In the trial areas, plant emergence ratio values were 93.75% at V1 (3.6 km/h), 90.74% at V2 (5.4 km/h), and 90.74% at V3 (7.2 km/h) forward speed. As the forward speed increased, both the miss index and the multiple index increased, in contrast to the decrease of the acceptable plant spacing ratio value. It was determined that the quality of the sowing process was generally 'good' in the evaluation made according to the parameters of plant spacing uniformity in the row. Sowing quality was "good" at V1 speed and "medium" at V2 and V3 speeds according to the miss index and the acceptable plant spacing ratio values, while it was "good" at V1 and V2 speeds and "medium" at V3 speed according to the multiple index. The seeding depth is shallower at V3 speed, and it is lower than the sowing depth set on the machine (5 cm) at all three forward speeds. Plant spacing uniformity was evaluated according to individual and moving range control charts and process capability ratio (Cr). Accordingly, it was determined that the sowing process was under control at V1 and V2 speeds but not at V3 speed. To be able to control the sowing process, the factors that negatively affect the operating performance of the sowing machine must be detected, and the necessary precautions must be taken. Keeping sowing quality under control is essential for optimum seed use and yield.