Development of prototype seed pelleting system

In this study, prototype of seed pelleting system was developed to pellet seeds without physical deformation and viability loss in some pasture species. Seed characteristics, pellet filler features and pelleting technology are three basic factors affected on making seed pellet. Physical and aerodynamic characteristics, density, thousand seed weight, crash resistance, germination etc. of 10 Poaceae and 6 Fabaceae species were examined.Timothy-grass (Phleum pratense) and Kentucky Bluegrass (Poa pratensis) were chosen according to determined physical characteristics of different species and pelleted to compare and determine pelleting effects. Two different binder ratio (10 and 13%, by weight) and three different compression pressure (3, 5, and 7 kg) were used in pelleting process. Water and polymer were used as a binder in red clay filler. A prototype pelleting machine has been developed to form a seed pellet. Seed pelleting machine consists of three units: seed charger unit, pellet cover material preparation unit and pelletizing unit. The pelleting success and performance of the prototype seed pelleting machine has been introduced.Crash resistance of pellets with 13% binder was found 33,1% higher in Timothy-grass pellets and 52,3% higher in Kentucky Bluegrass pellets compare with 10% binder. When water is used as a binder, 12,2% higher force is needed for Timothy-grass pellet sand 9,6% forces is needed for Kentucky Bluegrass pellets compare with polymer used pellets. On the other hand, pellet crash resistance increased with an increase compression pressure. In case of pure water is used as a pellet binder, pellets showed higher pellet resistance compared with polymer used pellet, while there was no linear relationship between compression pressure and pellet resistance. Pellet dissolving time in water increased with an increasing binder content, while pellet binder type was not affected. Additionally, there was linear relationship was found between compression pressure and pellet dissolving time.Initial germinations were determined 94,50% for Timothy-grass and 82,00% for Kentucky Bluegrass. Emergences of both species were found very close before and after pelleting. Seedling emergence, before and after pelleting were found 77,00% and 72,00% for Timothy-grass and 33,00% and 35,17% for Kentucky Bluegrass, respectively.