Designing a high pressure, seed planter device capable of sowing from a variety of distances

The focus of this thesis is to determine whether seeds can be planted underground efficiently from long distances, unlike conventional seed planting methods, and to design and produce the systems required to achieve this. In particular, the study aims to increase rapidly decreasing forest and meadow–pasture areas in a fast, efficient, and economical manner by eliminating the negative aspects of existing planting methods and enabling planting in areas where machinery and/or human labor is difficult or unsuitable. For this purpose, currently implemented systems were examined and their advantages and disadvantages analyzed; literature reviews and previous studies were evaluated, and underground seed planting using the propulsion power of explosives was proposed as an alternative to conventional methods, together with testing the emergence parameters of the planted seeds. The primary focus of the study was to determine the effects of high temperatures, flames, high velocities, air resistance, and potential damage during soil entry on seeds delivered by explosive propulsion, and to assess whether the seeds could subsequently emerge efficiently. Although the study was initially conducted according to a predefined plan, revisions, new designs, and developments became necessary due to data obtained during the process, limitations of previous studies, and legal regulations regarding explosive materials in the country where the research was conducted, resulting in partial deviation from conventional thesis formats. Consequently, the experimental trials and thesis process involved multiple updates. Since the study focused on long-distance underground seed delivery, the propulsion capability of explosives was utilized rather than their destructive power. In accordance with legal regulations, experimental trials were conducted by redesigning and manufacturing the ammunition of smoothbore hunting rifles based on the obtained data, without modifying their technical structures. Evaluation of the results demonstrated that firearms can be used for purposes beyond training, defense, sport, and hunting, and that such applications may provide environmental benefits. This approach is expected to contribute to the formation of forest and meadow–pasture areas during individual firearm use, as well as to be applicable in geographical conditions where human and/or mechanical labor is risky or impractical. The scope of this study is not limited to the systems developed herein but is intended to serve as a preliminary knowledge base for future research aimed at increasing seed capacity and delivery distance. In particular, the development of systems integrated into existing weapon, rocket, and missile platforms, as well as low-cost, purpose-built delivery systems for this application, may enable utilization by both public authorities and private sector stakeholders. Keywords: Seed planting, Explosives, Weapons, Underground seed planting from long distances