In Mississippi, corn and soybeans are vital crops, not only nourishing communities, but driving the state's agricultural economy. Early spring's wet soil can be challenging for growers to plant within the ideal planting window. Using advanced planter technology, researchers in the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station, or MAFES, are enabling farmers to plant more efficiently, supporting better yields and strengthening Mississippi agriculture.

Oluwaseyi (Emmanuel) Olomitutu, an agronomy doctoral student, is leading the project. He shared what the research aims to accomplish.

"Corn is usually planted from February 25 to May 10 at 4 to 5 miles per hour. Soybeans are planted from April 9 to May 1 at 5 to 6 miles per hour. We plan to validate advanced planter technology to allow faster planting speeds—up to 12 miles per hour—to determine the effect on seed singulation, stand, and yield in corn and soybeans," Olomitutu said. "If producers can increase planting speed, this should result in fewer labor hours and more time to manage early-season fertility and weed control, as well as reduce the risk of getting caught by untimely rainfall during the planting season. Planting more acreage within the optimal planting window will also increase yield."

The team will also assess the effect of downforce modes—the amount of force on the gauge wheels to maintain the correct seed depth—and settings on row-unit vibration and seed placement uniformity when planting at higher speeds. Finally, the scientists plan to make the technology available to producers who plant cover crops or two cash crops so they can plant into residue at high speeds.

Olomitutu highlighted how varying planting speeds impact seed placement and uniformity.

"The major differences between traditional mechanical ground drive planters and advanced planter technologies lie in their transmission and seed delivery systems," Olomitutu explained. "Traditional mechanical planters rely on sprockets, chains, and gears to synchronize seed metering with ground speed, while advanced planters use electronic mechanisms. As for seed delivery, mechanical planters utilize simple gravity tubes, whereas advanced planter technologies employ brush belts or flight belts to precisely control seed placement in the trench."

The research has demonstrated that increased planting speed with advanced planters leads to more plant spacing, greater in-row spacing variability, and a lower plant population, though yield remains unaffected. Olomitutu pointed to row-unit vibration as one of the causes for reduced plant populations at higher speeds.

"Increased ground speed and surface roughness lead to a linear increase in row unit vibration, causing seed placement at inconsistent depths and spacing. It is crucial to track row unit vibration as it affects seed distribution," he said.

He also explained that poor residue management in conservation tillage can impede planting, reducing seed-soil contact, which impacts germination, seedling emergence, crop establishment, and yield. Row cleaners, developed as planter attachments, help with this issue.

Dr. Jagmandeep Dhillon, assistant professor in the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences and Olomitutu's co-advisor, shared the study's preliminary results.

"Thus far, we found soybeans planted at high speeds are less uniform than traditional planting, however, yield isn't lost. We are eager to see if the corn results are the same with this technology," Dhillon said.

He also discussed the long-term impact that the MAFES team anticipates this technology will have on farming practices in Mississippi.

"As agronomists, we want to optimize inputs so we can help farmers improve efficiency and yield. This technology will directly help with both factors because all crops must be planted in certain critical windows and when you are outside those windows, it affects yield. If farmers can plant faster and uniformly within the critical window, it will benefit yield and overall profit," Dhillon said.

In addition to Dhillon, Dr. Michael Mulvaney, plant and soil sciences associate professor and Edgar E. and Winifred B. Hartwig Endowed Chair in Soybean Agronomy, co-advises Olomitutu.

This research is funded by the Mississippi Corn Promotion Board and the Mississippi Soybean Promotion Board.