Background: In the agricultural sector, toxic substances can be released into the atmosphere. In recent years, Europe has encountered a significant environmental issue related to the dispersion of pesticides during maize seeding, especially when performed with pneumatic seed drills. This phenomenon can be very dangerous for insects, as the dispersed dust contains pesticides (insecticides, fungicides, etc.) used to dress maize seeds. On the basis of these considerations, experimental tests have been carried out using a filtration system to clean the airflow that exits from the fan of pneumatic maize seed drills.
Results: The tested filtration system does not interfere with the seeding quality because the vacuum level observed within the filtration system assembled on the seeder (5.7 kPa) is 27% higher than the correct vacuum level to guarantee good seeding quality (4.2 kPa). In addition, it enables a reduction in the risk of environmental contamination, as no dust deposits were found at different distances from the machine.
Conclusion: The use of a filtration system shows advantages in terms of environmental and operator safety because dangerous materials are contained in the filter case, thus avoiding contamination of neighbouring areas and the machinery used (tractor and seed drill). © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry.
Keywords: drift dust; filtration system; maize seeds; pneumatic seeders.
© 2015 Society of Chemical Industry.