Work

DEM calibration of high-oleic peanut seeds for precision seed metering

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: To improve the precision seeding performance of high-oleic peanuts, the variety Yuhua 37 was selected as the study material to establish a discrete element method (DEM) model and calibrate the contact parameters, followed by validation through seed metering tests. First, the parameter ranges of high-oleic peanut seeds were determined through experiments, and the angle of repose was measured using a natural slope tester. A DEM model of high-oleic peanut seeds was then constructed using an automatic multi-sphere filling method. Subsequently, the angle of repose was selected as the evaluation index. A combination of the Plackett-Burman design, the steepest ascent method, and the Box-Behnken design was applied to optimize the static and rolling friction coefficients between seeds, as well as the coefficient of static friction between seeds and steel. In addition, using the seed-seed friction coefficient as a constraint, single-factor tests were performed to calibrate the coefficient of static frictions for nylon and acrylic contact materials. The optimized coefficient of static friction was 0.413 (seed-seed), 0.505 (seed-steel), 0.482 (seed-nylon) and 0.416 (seed-acrylic), with a seed-seed coefficient of rolling friction of 0.028. Seed metering validation tests were conducted using the calibrated parameters. The results showed that the maximum relative errors of the under-seeding rate, over-seeding rate, and qualified seeding rate (defined in this study as two seeds per hole) between simulation and bench tests were 8.3%, 9.1%, and 1.4%, respectively, demonstrating that the calibrated parameters are reliable. This study provides a sound parameter basis for the structural design and optimization of seed metering devices for high-oleic peanuts.

Source: Scientific Reports

DOI: 10.1038/s41598-026-64958-y