Importance

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Abstract

A planter is moved through a field to place two rows of four plants on the top of a planting bed between adjacent irrigation furrows. The tray carrying the transplants is registered horizontally and vertically to a plug receiving cylinder by respective cams and a supporting chain. Upon registry, polymer plugs containing sprouted plants therein are ejected, typically eight at a time, by ejecting fingers penetrating the plant receiving holes. Ejection occurs with the plants horizontally disposed into receiving concavities defined within a rotating cylinder. Rotation of the cylinder drops the ejected plants into receiving funnels, one for each plant. Plant downward travel halts at a reciprocating plate. Insertion of the plug into the ground begins with penetration of the ground by a dibble spike followed by circumscribing penetration of a dibble tube around the spike. When the spike is withdrawn, the plant is reciprocated into registry with the dibble tube and the plant blown under pressure down to the bottom of the dibble tube. With the air pressure applied, the dibble tube is retracted, leaving the plant in its wake.

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First Claim