Plot Planter for Soybean Management Research.

Performing diverse soybean management research in small plots requires a highly adaptable planter. Variable row spacing, in-furrow applications of inoculants and fertilizers, and the ability to plant in no-till as well as using pre-packeted seed or bulk seed supply are needed. We designed and constructed a 3-point hitch tractor-mounted plot planter that is capable of establishing research plots of various lengths in 76- or 38-cm rows and in conventional or no-till systems. Seed can be supplied in small packets for small plots (~23-m^-2) or in bulk for planting larger areas. Two in-furrow applicator systems can deliver liquid fertilizer or crop protection products and dry pathogen inoculants for disease investigations. A GPS-enabled seed cup tripping system is used to ensure accurate plot length and field position.