Test bench for multi-picking detection and air-blowing removal of excess seed potatoes

Multi-picking of spoon-chain type seed-metering devices in potato planters causes multi-seeding, which leads to yield loss and plant diseases. This study developed a dedicated test bench for multi-picking detection and air-blowing excess seed removal, which integrated a detector based on spatial capacitive sensor, an air-blowing excess seed remover, and a controller. The feasibility of multi-picking identification via maximum net capacitance change was verified through theoretical analysis and Maxwell simulation. A two-point air-blowing strategy was adopted for air-blowing excess seed removal. Taking the success rate of air-blowing excess seed removal as the evaluation index, bench tests and parameter optimization were conducted with airflow speed for air-blowing excess seed removal, potato spoon depth, and seed-metering chain speed as variable factors. The optimal parameters were determined as an airflow speed of 31.34 m/s, a potato spoon depth of 19.67 mm, and a seed-metering chain speed of 0.29 m/s. Under this optimal parameter combination, the actual success rate of air-blowing excess seed removal reached 85.5%. This test bench provides a practical technical solution for solving multi-seeding in seed potato precision seeding, and lays a solid foundation for the optimization of seeding processes and the popularization of seed potato precision seeding technology.