Abstract
Physical and cultural properties were investigated on the rice-seed pellets made by the pelleting machine(Yu, 2003) as the changes with mixing ratios of soil to rice seed of 6 : 1, 7 : 1, and 8 : I, and rotating speeds of forming rolls of 7, 10, and 13 rpm. Average weight, average diameter, and average sphericity of the pellets were 1.70 g, 12.0 ㎜, and 99.1 ％, respectively. Average number of seeds per pellet was more than 3, and almost all pellets had more than 3 seeds in the cases of mixing ratios of 6 : 1, and 7 : 1 at the forming rolls' speed of 7 rpm. Gradual drying was needed because rapid drying caused cracks on surface of the pellets. Compression strength of the pellets dried in shady room was in the range of 132 ∼ 152 N, which was enough for handling. Comparing with the previous pellets(Park, 2002), average number of seeds per pellet, ratio of pellets including more than 3 seeds, and compression strength increased due to the effects of pressure feed of pellet materials, and improvements of the forming rolls. Emergence ratio of the pellets made at the mixing ratio of 6 : 1 and the forming rolls' speed of 7 rpm, was 100 % on dry paddy and was 97 % on flooded paddy surface. Good growth characteristics, and yield except number of seedling stand and ratio of missing plant were shown in planting of the pellets made at the mixing ratio of 7 : 1 and the forming rolls' speed of 7 rpm on flooded paddy surface field. Considering the cultural results, the mixing ratio of 6 : 1, and the forming rolls' speed of 7 rpm seems to be optimum operating condition for the improved pelleting machine.
