A New Power Airflow Harvester Improves Grass Seed Yield and Quality in Central Queensland, Australia
Publication Date
1993
Description
Most perennial tropical grasses produce new seedheads over a period extending up to 4 weeks, Seeds mature and ripen up to 4 weeks after inflorescence emergence. The dilemma for seed producers using onepass harvesting has been to time the harvesting operation to maxmise. recovery of mature seed, Harvested immature seeds and inert material adversely affect seed purity and germination tests. Light fluffy seeds such as buffel and bluegrasses are generally difficult to harvest with grain crop harvesters, and paddle beater harvesters have been used for simplicity and economy. Over the last 3 years, tractor-mounted brush harvesters using 4 rows of nylon brushes in spaced tufts have been very effective in harvesting these fluffy seed crops in central Queensland. Since May 1990 the development and commercial use of power airflow harvesters has improved grass seed yield and quality, This paper describes the concept of the power airflow harvesters and discusses their implications.
Citation
Wildin, J H.; Zhou, Dingfa; and Dobson, A, "A New Power Airflow Harvester Improves Grass Seed Yield and Quality in Central Queensland, Australia" (2024). IGC Proceedings (1993-2023). 5.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1993/session49/5
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
A New Power Airflow Harvester Improves Grass Seed Yield and Quality in Central Queensland, Australia
Most perennial tropical grasses produce new seedheads over a period extending up to 4 weeks, Seeds mature and ripen up to 4 weeks after inflorescence emergence. The dilemma for seed producers using onepass harvesting has been to time the harvesting operation to maxmise. recovery of mature seed, Harvested immature seeds and inert material adversely affect seed purity and germination tests. Light fluffy seeds such as buffel and bluegrasses are generally difficult to harvest with grain crop harvesters, and paddle beater harvesters have been used for simplicity and economy. Over the last 3 years, tractor-mounted brush harvesters using 4 rows of nylon brushes in spaced tufts have been very effective in harvesting these fluffy seed crops in central Queensland. Since May 1990 the development and commercial use of power airflow harvesters has improved grass seed yield and quality, This paper describes the concept of the power airflow harvesters and discusses their implications.
