Influence of peripheral speed of vacuum plates on seed spacing in popcorn maize seeding

The simulation results of popcorn maize seeding in the laboratory at a theoretical spacing of 20.993 cm with vacuum plates with 18, 22, 27, 31, 33, 36, and 44 holes at working speeds of 4, 6, 8, and 10 km/h are presented. At a working speed of 6 km/h, the vacuum plate n = 18 with a peripheral speed of 0.223 m/s achieved an average seeding spacing of 21.518 cm, with a reduction of 1 650/ha plants. At this peripheral speed, the plate achieved a QFI of 97.19 with Prec. index (CVm) of 13.108. The vacuum plate n = 44 at the lowest acceptable speed of the seeding machine with a peripheral speed of 0.091 m/s achieved an average spacing of 20.816 cm with a QFI index of 98.63 while Prec. index (CVm) was 8.397. By increasing the working speed of 10 km/h, the listed vacuum plate achieved an average spacing of 20.935 cm, and an increase in seeding was recorded for 187 plants/ha where the achieved value of QFI index was 97.31 while the value of Prec. index (CVm) was 14.041. The choice of vacuum plate, as well as the speed of work had a statistically significant effect on the set of plants and the seeding spacing. The obtained results of vacuum plates n = 22, 27, 31, 33 and n = 36 are within the limit values of vacuum plates n = 18 and n = 44.