Standards, test procedures and research works appoint the regularity of seed longitudinal distribution as one of the seed drills operational characteristics that contributes for attainment of an adequate plant stand and good productivity. Coefficient of variation (CV) of the spacing population and the percentage of acceptable spacings of seeds "normally sown" are the parameters used for that evaluation. This study was conducted to test different procedures recommended to calculate the coefficient of variation and the percentage of acceptable seed spacings. Four treatments (DEA, ISO, ABNT and INTA adapted) were applied to seed spacing populations resultant of bench tests with three types of metering mechanisms - horizontal plate, inclined plate and pneumatic device. For two of these mechanisms, the results of the application of the different treatments were quite different with respect of both evaluation parameters. Depending on the treatment, mistake should be made in the performance evaluation process with approval of a mechanism, that is perfect as a machine, but completely incapable to satisfy the agricultural requirements, its basic purpose.
seed; spacings and metering mechanisms