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Minimum Tillage Seeding by Power Tiller Operated Seeder for Sustaining Crops Yield and Profitability

Md. Israil Hossain
Principal Scientific Officer (Ag. Engineer)
RWRC, BARI, Rajshahi, Bangladesh

MS Islam
Director
WRC, BARI, Nashipur, Dinajpur

NA Siddiqui
SSO
RWRC, BARI, Shyampur, Rajshahi

S Ahmmed
Chief Scientific Officer
BARC, Farmgate, Dhaka

M Amanulla
Phd Student
Dept. of FPM, BAu, Mymensingh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

The power tiller operated seeder (PTOS) works as shallow tilling, seeding in line, fertilizing, seed covering, and land leveling in a single pass. This tillage and seeding technique was demonstrated in different locations of northern part of Bangladesh for establishing crops in rice-wheat system. Wheat, maize, lentil and chickpea were planted after rice harvest and mungbean, sesame and jute were planted after wheat harvest using the PTOS. This seeding technique helps growers by minimizing turn around time 8-12 days between the two crops and utilizes the residual soil moisture for the next crop. This seeder maintains uniform seeding depth, uniform seed distribution and better seed-soil contact. It transfers soil moisture to the point of locations of seeds quickly for enhancing better plant establishment and yield. Application of irrigation water was faster in a PTOS system than conventional method. Planting by minimum tillage saved irrigation water 11.6% in wheat and 66% in rice cultivation. Wheat yield in the PTOS system was 25% higher over conventional seeding method. Effective field capacity and seeding cost of the seeder was 0.15 ha/hr and Tk.1585/ha, respectively which was 67% less than conventional method. Break-even point of the seeder was 4.1 ha which indicates the critical margin of seeder annual use and one can buy a PTOS who has a minimum land of 4.1 ha.

Keywords: Tillage, Seeding, Power tiller, Crops, Yield and profit ability

Location: Dinajpur, Takurgaon, Panchagor and Rajshahi

Start Date: 00-00-2005

End Date: 00-00-2009

Program Area: Farm Mechanization

Commodity: Power Tiller

Objectives:

1. To increase cropping intensity by minimizing the turn-around time,

2. To save irrigation water, reduce cost of cultivation, and sustain crop yield,

3. To crop intensification and diversification in the existing pattern utiIize the residual soil moisture.

Methodology:

The PTOS was used to maintain minimum tillage and planting of wheat, mungbean, lentil, chickpea, maize, sesame, jute, boro rice and aman rice in several farmers, fields of Dinajpur, Takurgaon, Panchagor and Rajshahi districts from 2005 to 2009. During the same time, the PTOS was also used for land preparation and maintain minimum tillage in onion fields and carrying out puddling operation with one pass in rice. At the present moment, farmers are using this device on custom hire system and are earning cash money in Panchagar, Thakurgaon, Dinajpur, Rajshahi districts. PTOS was demonstrated by WRC, BARI in different locations to show its efficient work performance in rice-wheat cropping system. After wheat harvest, mungbean, sesame, and maize were sown and after aman rice harvest, wheat, chickpea and lentil were sown directly by the PTOS. Previously, recommended doses fertilizers were broadcast before seeding operation, but recently with the improvement of the PTOS for its fertilizer application capability, fertilizers were also applied along with the seeding operation. The data on the performance of PTOS on crop establishment, crop yield, and profits were recorded. The following data were collected during the test: (i) Depth of seed placement (cm), ii) Travel speed (km/hr) , iii) Effective field capacity (ha/hr), iv) Fuel consumption (l/hr), v) No. of plant 1m², viii) Yield/m² and ix) Cost. The cost was calculated according to the farm machinery utilization method. Transparent polythene bags were tagged with each of the six seed delivery tubes. The strip till seeder was operated on a pre-measured 20 m travel distance with a sowing width of 120 , thus providing a 24 m²area coverage. After every 20 m linear distance run, collected seeds through tubes were weighed separately and the total seed weight was also measured. This method was repeated by acceleration and deceleration of the lever of seed rate control until the desired seed rate obtained. Since the seed metering device was connected by a chain - sprocket arrangement to the power tiller wheel axel, the speed of the tiller should not be a factor in calibration, unless there was excess wheel slippage.

Source of Information: Journal of Agricultural Engineering, Dec. 2010, Vol.38/AE(2), pp:107-112, ISSN:0379-4318

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

1. Three crops can be fitted easily in the existing rice-wheat cropping system. The PTOS can minimize the turn around time of 8-12 days. ii. Seeding under minimum tillage by using PTOS performed seeding operation directly in one operation and established crops by utilizing the residual soil moisture. Uniform depth of seeding and better seed-soil contact transferred soil moisture to the point of seed placement quickly, which enhanced better seed germination. Minimum tillage saved irrigation water 12% and planting cost by 67% compared to the conventional method. Different crops can be established by the same PTOS and crop diversification can be achieved easily.

Knowledge Management: Journal