Lin Jianxin, a doctoral student at the College of Engineering of Huazhong Agricultural University (HZAU), has developed a precision combined direct seeding machine for rapeseed that integrates plowing, soil preparation and seeding into one operation. The machine reduces the traditional three-step planting process to a single field operation, providing a new approach to improving mechanized rapeseed production.

Lin's research was inspired by field investigations during his undergraduate years, when he found that traditional planting procedures increased costs and could delay farming schedules during rainy seasons. To address these challenges, he decided to apply engineering technologies to agricultural production.

During his master's studies, Lin focused on mechanized rapeseed production technologies under the guidance of professor Liao Qingxi. By introducing a bionic design approach inspired by manual shoveling, he developed the machine to address problems including compacted soil, crop residue and uneven field conditions in rice-rapeseed rotation areas.

The development process involved repeated testing and improvement. After the first prototype failed during field trials, Lin analyzed the problems and optimized the design through five rounds of improvements. The machine later passed performance tests conducted by the Hubei Agricultural Machinery Testing Station and has been applied in rapeseed production areas along the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River.

From 2023 to 2025, Lin and his team continued improving the equipment through field trials and feedback from farmers, helping promote the application of mechanized rapeseed planting technologies.

Lin Jianxin conducts his field practice. [Photo/news.hzau.edu.cn]