Crop establishment of Silphium perfoliatum by precision seeding

Abstract

Silphium perfoliatum, a perennial composite from North America, has been found as a promising plant species during the search for alternative biogas substrates. Until now Silphium perfoliatum has been established by the time- and cost-intensive transplanting method. The precision sowing of Silphium perfoliatum reduces the process costs significantly. However, the bulky seed with mildness germination power complicates a well distributed and adequate plant establishment. In field tests a modified precision seeder was used for sowing Silphium perfoliatum which is primarily used for maize sowing.The hole diameter of the singling disc, the sowing coulter and the roller were modified. In the field tests the modified machinery proved an enhanced and uniform field emergence of Silphium perfoliatum.