The aim of the investigation is to study the effect of the planter forward
speed, spacing between seeds and ridging time on the germination, lateral deviation,
double and void tubers percentage, productivity, power and energy requirement. The
field experiments were conducted at forward speeds of 2.0, 2.7 and 3.6 km/h, planting
depths of 14, 17 and 20 cm spacing between seeds of 25, 30 and 35 cm under ridging
with planting and ridging after emergence. The results revealed that the forward
speed has a negative effect on germination; lateral deviation, productivity, energy
requirements and positive effect on the double and void tubers percentage.
Meanwhile, the planting depth has a negative effect on the germination, productivity
and positive effect on the lateral deviation, power and energy requirement. The
ridging after emergence gave a significant increase of the germination and
productivity as compared with ridging with planting. The highest germination of 98.6%
was found at forward speed of 2.0 km/h, spacing between seeds of 30 cm, planting
depth of 14 cm without ridging during planting (ridging after emergence). Meanwhile,
the highest productivity of 11.21 ton/fed. was obtained at forward speed of 2.0 km/h,
spacing between seeds of 25 cm, planting depth of 14 cm with ridging after
emergence.The lowest double tubers of 3.3%, void tubers of 2.9% were found at
forward speed of 2.0 km/h., but the minimum value of lateral deviation of 10.68% was
found at forward speed of 3.6 km/h. The highest power requirements of 40.85 kW
was obtained at forward speed of 3.6 km/h and planting depth of 20 cm. While the
lowest energy requirements of 31.69 kW. h/fed. was found at forward speed of 3.6
km/h and planting depth of 14 cm.