Air-Pruning, Fully-Automatic, Plastic-Mulch Pneumatic Transplanting System increases yields
This system has a pull-type, three-row, fully automated transplanter with adjustable row-distance and plantspacing. During the transplanting process, three individual air-pruned seedlings are pneumatically removed downward through the air-pruning-tray-cells with an impulse vacuum system. The vacuum intakes at crosstable are indexed in X-direction or trays are indexed in Y-direction to match the tray-cell open-bottoms with intakes, and compressed air conveys the seedlings through their individual flexible tubes to the ground engaging units. They are then transplanted into plastic mulch-covered field-beds for higher crop yields/quality with significant labor savings. The transplanting speed is about three plants per second or 10,800 plants per hour. A large Florida vegetable grower identified 68 percent and 50 percent increases in tomato yields for first and second pickings with this system as compared to his traditional cultural practices.

International Innovative Technology, Inc., Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; 919-773-0632, www.airpruning.org
Renaldo Sales and Service, Inc., North Collins, New York, USA; 716-337-3760, www.renaldosales.com