France
October 15, 2019
Promising results, particularly with hybrid varieties
Many trials conducted by seed companies show the importance of seed placement quality, even in cereals. The use of a precision planter meets this criterion by limiting losses at emergence and obtaining faster emergence thanks to the quality of the sealing obtained by the PRO wheel. The regularity of the seeding depth obtained by the disks and the gauge wheels offers regular leaflets limiting the competition between the plants and making it possible to optimize the phytosanitary applications (all the plants having the same stage during the treatments). Because losses at emergence are limited, it is possible to reduce seedling densities (less than 100 seeds/m²) and thus save on the cost of seed. In addition, better spatial distribution combined with lower planting densities limit susceptibility to disease and lodging. In a context of reduced use of plant protection products or in organic farming, the interest is even more marked, especially as field observations show that the quality of seed sealing associated with the regularity of depth of sowing limits losses when using mechanical weeding solutions. In the end, with this sowing technique, the yields are higher or at least equivalent. When added to the saving of seeds realized, the gain on the net margin is systematic.
A Unique planter
The experience of MONOSEM in sowing cereals such as wheat or barley started in seed production and then with pioneering farmers. The versatility of the MONOSEM distribution made it possible to test this technique without modifying the seed drills or calibrating the seeds. Only the disks of the distributions have a drilling diameter and a few specific holes. The first tests were carried out using single row seeders with inter-rows of 50 or 60 cm but making 2 successive passes, i.e., final inter-rows of 25 or 30 cm. In a context of reduced use of herbicides, this type of inter-row is more suitable for hoeing. Today, to meet these demands without requiring two successive passes, the Monoshox NG Plus M or NG Plus 4 units are equipped with narrow gauge wheels and hoppers as well as a compact rear packer unit. This reduced interrow also opens the way to the use of a single planter for all crops with the possibility of using only one row out of
two or three to achieve sowing at 50 or 75 cm of inter-row or in Twin-Row.
Multicrop Compact Hoe
The development of hoeing requires solutions to adapt to all inter-rows,
especially the narrowest as for hoeing cereals. The compact version of the
Multicrop range has been developed to adapt to inter-rows from 18 to 65 cm
for cereals and some market gardening crops. This new element has a narrow
front wheel of 380x65mm, whose adjustment of the control of the working
depth is carried out quickly using a notched lever. The element can receive up
to 3 tools (shoes, shovels, Planet blades, Lelièvre blades,…). The supports of
these tools are positioned closer to the wheel. This design, combined with a
very short element, increases the precision of hoeing thanks to perfect ground
tracking and low offset. The banded parallelogram arms, whose design comes
from the Multicrop range, ensure a high strength of the element allowing
intensive use over large areas. The element is also able to support numerous
complimentary equipment (rotary finger weeder, rear comb, disc ridgers,…).
The Multicrop Compact unit can accommodate seedling discs as well as
hydraulic hoists for components that are compatible with GPS auto lift.
To accompany the changes in technical itineraries, MONOSEM is expanding its range of cultivators and proposing innovative planting solutions so that precision planting is no longer reserved for certain crops.
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