Determination of technical specifications and problems encountered in their use of tray seeding systems using in seedling cultivation facilities

In Türkiye, the number of seedling cultivation facilities is increasing annually to address the rising demands within the growing seedling sector. As a significant branch of agriculture, the seedling cultivation facilities the mass sowing of seeds into trays and their subsequent cultivation in cultivation greenhouses until they reach the appropriate seedling size, thus fulfilling the producers' demands for ready seedlings. One of the most critical factors in realizing this mass production model is the tray seeding systems employed within these facilities. These systems play a pivotal role in the seedling industry and are considered essential equipment for the seeding departments of seedling cultivation facilities. This master's thesis involved face-to-face interviews with 30 seedling cultivation facilities representing the sector, and a 21-question survey was administered to the users. This approach allowed for the collection of data on various parameters related to the tray seeding systems utilized in the sector. The analysis of the data revealed that 72% of the tray seeding machines in the sector are of the plate-type, 26% are of the drum-type, and 2% are of the needle-like. In terms of seed depth creation systems, 79% of the facilities utilize pressure-type systems, while 21% employ roller-type systems. Data on machine usage revealed that the most common usage patterns are 12 months annually, 26 days monthly, and 8 hours daily. Regarding the number of operators working with tray seeding machines, 46% of the businesses reported employing 5 operators. In response to questions about machine performance, 65% of the facilities indicated that their machines are adequate for placing a single-seed in each tray cell, whereas 45% of those who found their machines inadequate cited a high rate of double-seeding as the primary issue. Finally, recommendations for addressing the deficiencies and potential improvements of the machines include: enhancing the ease of machine adjustments, integrating recycling systems into the peat filling unit and vermiculite application unit, facilitating easier replacement of seeding plates and seeding drums when changing seeds, automating the tray feeding and stacking units to reduce labor demands, and incorporating camera-based imaging systems into the seeding units to assess seeding success. It is suggested that future research and development efforts focus on these areas.