ArrowTube plants corn tip down for better early growth and emergence

"It's a seed delivery system that maintains not only the singulation and spacing that growers expect, but we can also orient the seed to land tip down, and we're doing that at both your normal and high speeds. ArrowTube works by accelerating the seed through a controlled path from the meter to the furrow. Using guiding surfaces and centrifugal force, the system rotates the kernel as it travels down a helical tube before landing in a narrow sub-furrow created by a knife at the bottom of the unit."

"The orientation matters because it helps the radicle root grow downward while the coleoptile moves directly toward the soil surface, supporting more natural early growth and canopy development. It also orients the embryo sideways to promote corn leaves that grow across the row to capture maximum sunlight."

"Precision Planting says early research shows the system can reduce delayed emergence events compared with existing planting technologies. Stuber notes that internal trials have shown an average 18 per cent reduction in late-emerging plants when ArrowTube is used."

Precision Planting introduced ArrowTube, a new seed delivery system that advances corn planting technology by controlling kernel orientation in the seed trench. The system maintains singulation and spacing while rotating seeds to land tip-down at both normal and high speeds. ArrowTube accelerates seeds through a helical tube using guiding surfaces and centrifugal force, depositing them in a narrow sub-furrow. Proper seed orientation directs the radicle root downward and coleoptile upward, supporting natural early growth and canopy development. The embryo positions sideways to promote leaves that grow across the row for maximum sunlight capture. Internal trials demonstrate an 18% reduction in late-emerging plants compared to existing technologies. Limited beta testing begins this spring with broader commercial availability planned later in the year.

Read at Realagriculture