technical evaluation of direct drill planters (no-till planters) used for wheat planting in khorasan-e razavi province

this study evaluated direct drilling planters used for wheat cultivation in khorasan-e razavi province. a randomized complete block design with three replications was used. the treatments were direct drilling of wheat plants into wheat residue using the following direct planters: (1) sfoggia (13-25), (2) baldan (spd3000), (3) tondar (spd 2500), (4) semeato (shm 11/13). the parameters measured were uniformity of seed depth, planter field capacity, seed germination, mechanical damage to seed, yield, number of spikes per m2, number of grains per spike, 1000 seed weight and harvest index. the results showed that planter type was significant at the 1% probability level for uniformity of seed depth, planter field capacity and harvest index and at the 5% probability level for yield, number of spikes per m2, number of grains per spike and seed germination. results showed that the sfoggia planter performed best for uniformity of seed depth and number of spikes per m2. the sfoggia and tondar planters performed best for seed germination, yield, and number of grains per spike and harvest index.