Cone planters (CP) uniformly distribute seed over research plots; however, preparing seed for CP by weighing is time-consuming. This study evaluated (i) the effect of seed preparation method (scooping with a calibrated cup vs. weighing) on population density of monoculture cover crops planted with a CP, (ii) time required for scooping vs. weighing, and (iii) the effect of scooping on segregation of pre-made cover crop mixtures. Monocultures included mustard [ Brassica juncea (L.) Czern.], rye ( Secale cereale L.), common vetch ( Vicia sativa L.), and faba bean ( Vicia faba L.) planted at 1*, 2*, and 4* seeding rates; 1* rates in pure live seed m -2 were 24 (faba bean), 43 (common vetch), 291 (rye), and 310 (mustard). Mixtures contained rye, oat ( Avena sativa L.), barley ( Hordeum vulgare L.), faba bean, common vetch, or pea ( Pisum sativum L.), and by weight included: Mix 1 (10% rye, 90% faba bean), Mix 2 (10% oat, 90% faba bean), Mix 3 (10% barley, 90% faba bean), Mix 4 (10% common vetch, 90% rye), and Mix 5 (10% rye, 25% pea, 30% common vetch, 35% faba bean). Seed preparation method did not affect the population densities of the monocultures. Preparing seed packets was at least two times more time-consuming with the weighing than scooping method. Calibrating cups to scoop within 1% of the desired seed packet weight was not difficult. However, segregation occurred while scooping some mixtures from a bucket whereby smaller-seeded components increased with scooping depth. Simple methods to detect seed segregation in mixtures are discussed.
