Influence of Tillage and Side Dress Nitrogen on Maize (Zea mays. L), Plant Stand and Grain Yield Using the Green Seeder Hand Planter with Altered Drum Cavity Sizes.

Average production for maize (Zea mays L) in the United States is 9.9 Mg ha^-1 whereas this averages 1.8 Mg ha^-1 in the developing world.  Many factors account for these high yields, specifically highly advanced agricultural mechanization not available in the third world. Over the last twelve years the Division of Agriculture at Oklahoma State University has worked to develop an improved hand planter, for subsistence farmers in developing countries.

Two sites evaluating the Greenseeder hand planter were initiated to further evaluate drum cavity size (Efaw and Lake Carl Blackwell). This study further analyzed the amount of urea applied per plant (0.58 to 1.16g).  Added variables included two different drums, and tillage (no-till, conventional). The scientific notion that plant stand, singulation and grain yield in maize (Zea mays L.) are dependent on tillage and mid-season side-dress N application, solidifies  the importance of the hand planter in third world agricultural systems. Coefficients of variation from collected normalized difference vegetative index (NDVI) sensor readings show varying N uptake by plants; this is useful in determining N fertilizer rates for individual plants. 

Results showed a significant difference in singulation percentage for Conventional Tillage (CT) at LCB. Drum 260-20 with 50 kg ha^-1 and 100 kgha^-1 side-dress N produced a 99 and 98 percent singulation, significantly higher than drum 450s at 72 and 68 percent respectively. Grain yield results indicated drum 260-20 at 100 kgs ha^-1 produced significantly higher yields compared to the 450s at 0 kg ha^-1 side-dress N. Based on the results, the hand planter may be recommended for use in conventional tillage because of the notable increase in singulation and grain yield.