Research Progress on the Development of the Planter Unit for Furrowing Control and the Depth Measurement Technology

Abstract

The article briefly describes the importance of furrowing depth stability for seed germination and growth under precision seeding conditions. By analyzing the application status of furrowing depth control technology of the planter globally, the research method, technical characteristics, and development of furrowing depth stability control technology are reviewed from three key aspects, namely, profiling adjustment device, furrowing depth detection technology, and automatic control system. In this paper, (1) two types of profiling adjustments, active and passive, are described based on the difference in the downforce adjustment method; (2) three furrowing depth detection methods are described based on different sensors; (3) and three ways of regulating the furrowing depth system are summarized based on the different ways of evaluating the stability of furrowing depth. In addition, the characteristics and application requirements of global furrow depth control technology are summarized. It is proposed that the future planter should be developed in the direction of automatic navigation, automatic monitoring and evaluation of seeding quality, variable seeding, high-speed seeding, and other intelligent precision seeding techniques. The summary and outlook of this paper aim to promote the overall development of furrowing depth control technology.