Abstract: Apparatus and method for dispensing a gel containing seeds for planting. A container (11) has a piston (13) driven by a lead screw (14) for expressing the gel through outlet (12). A line (17) is wound around a control rotor (16) and a free end is secured at a fixed location (19). As container (11) is moved away from location (19), line (17) unwinds and rotates rotor (16) to express the gel at a rate related to the movement of the container (11), so that the operator does not have to match the dispensing rate to the rate of movement. In other arrangements the container moves towards the fixed location, or between two fixed locations. Other metering members may replace the line. Materials other than seeds in gel may be dispensed.

Abstract: Apparatus for dispensing discrete objects, such as seeds from a liquid, comprises a suspension container for containing seeds in suspension in the liquid, and a capture element defining a capture orifice allowing exit of liquid from the container and adapted to capture a number of the seeds against the orifice by providing a pressure difference across the orifice. Relative movement is produced between the capture orifice and the objects in suspension in the liquid in such a manner as to have the capture orifice, after capture of seeds, situated in a region free from seeds suspended in liquid, and a flow of liquid is produced past the capture orifice such as to sweep away excess seeds attracted to the capture orifice by the pressure difference. A system is provided for moving a seed, usually a single seed, from the capture orifice at a required region for dispensing the seed.