A hand-operated seeding device for experimental field sowing of inoculated legume seeds

Abstract

The problem of spacing inoculated legume seed in field-situated Rhizobium strain trials, without risk of cross-contamination, is discussed. A portable and versatile hand operated machine, capable of delivering individual inoculated legume seeds to the drill row without cross-contamination is described. Detail sufficient to permit construction by a competent tradesman is provided. Spherical seeds ranging in size from white clover (Trifolium repens) to golden tares (Vicia sativa) and irregularly shaped seeds such as lucerne (Medicago sativa) and barrel medic (Medicago truncatula) have been successfully sown.