ABSTRACT
Development of moving truss irrigation machines capable of performing every function necessary to produce a crop could revolutionize agricultural production systems by replacing high horsepower tractors and multiple pieces of equipment. The introduction of a row crop planting system for moving irrigation machines brings an all inclusive system closer to reality. A hydraulic planting system was developed and consists of (1) a seed germination/gel mixing system with pressurized discharge capability, (2) a non-destructive seed transfer and injection system, and (3) a seed distribution and planting system located on a continuous-move irrigation system. In initial field planting trials, plant stands and yields compared favorably to those planted with a conventional John Deere Maxemerge planter. Preplant fertilizer application with the planting system and in the irrigation water during the growing: season resulted in significantly greater yields than were obtained by conventional preplant chisel application.
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