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Modification and Improvement of Power Tiller Operated Bed Planter for Up Land Crop

Md. Israil Hossain
Regional Wheat Research Centre, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Shyampur, Rajshahi-6212

Ilias Hossain
Regional Wheat Research Centre, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Shyampur, Rajshahi-6212

Nur-E- Alum Siddquie
Regional Wheat Research Centre, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Shyampur, Rajshahi-6212

Mahabubur Rahman
Regional Wheat Research Centre, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Shyampur, Rajshahi-6212

Abdullah Al Mamun
Regional Wheat Research Centre, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Shyampur, Rajshahi-6212

Shoeb Hasan
Regional Wheat Research Centre, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Shyampur, Rajshahi-6212

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

A power tiller operated bed planter has been improved with locally available materials in Wheat Research Centre, BARl and adaptive trials were conducted in the farmers field of Dinajpur and Rajshahi area 2011 -12. A Saifeng type bed planter also developed first time at BARI Rajshahi. Earlier only Dongfeng type bed planter was available. The bed planter formed a trapezoidal shape raised bed and can perform seeding and fertilizing operations on the top of the bed simultaneously in one operation. The bed planter is to be attached behind the power tiller. The seeding quality of the planter has been improved with the introduction of inclined plate seed meter for seeding wheat, maize, rice, pulses and other small seeds. The bed planter also further improved with introduction of fertilizer box and roller type bed former. The implement comprises of four major components, namely- rotary tilling part, furrow opener, seeding unit with metering mechanism and bed shaper. This configuration is suitable for seeding on permanent bed also. Performance of the implement was tested for wheat, maize, mugbean and rice cultivation. The uniformity of maize seed spacing was 84.8-88.6% The density of rice and wheat residue were 1.8 t/ha and 1.6 t/ha in the tested plot, respectively when seeding on permanent bed. After initially forming the bed, an additional advantage was that reshaped bed call be used for next crop without any further tillage operation keeping it permanent. Fresh bed saved 21.5% and permanent bed saved 34.1% irrigation water over conventional flood method of irrigation with less number of labour involvements. Water logging problem can be avoided introducing bed planting system, especially in rainy season crops. Bed planting allows earthling up, so no need sub sequent earthling lip in maize cultivation. Maize planting cost in new bed and permanent bed was 63.0% and 72.5% less than conventional seeding method .Average wheat yield was 5.1 t/ha and conventional method broadcasting method was 3. 6 t/ha, respectively. There are about 4975 ha lands under bed planting system.

Keywords: Power tiller, Bed planting system, Crop

Location: Wheat Research Centre, BARl and Farmers field of Dinajpur and Rajshahi area

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Farm Mechanization

Commodity: Power Tiller

Objectives:

To motivate more farmers to bed planting system for saving costly water, seeds and other resources.

Methodology:

Two types of bed planters have been used in the adaptive trials. One is toolbar mounted bed planter and another is rotary type bed planter which origin FMPE Division, BARI developed. Both the planters are driven by power tiller. Moreover, tractor driven bed planter was also used in Dinajpur area mostly on research farm. Rotary type bed planter can form bed without pre till condition. Recent time, inclined plate seed metering device with different cell sizes for seeding many crops by the same units. Toolbar type bed planter need pre till soil for initial bed formation. A toolbar frame was improved with locally available mild steel materials for easy operation both fresh bed as well as in permanent bed. A modified bed shaper was also constructed and attached behind the furrow opener with improved type clumps. A seed box with a seed and fertilizer metering devices were also attached on the frame. The seed box with metering mechanism was replaceable according to use and crops cultivation. The seed metering device was operated by a chain sprocket mechanism, which transmitted power from the tiller wheelbase. The bed planter was hitched to the Dongfeng Brand Chinese power tiller.

The bed planter was tested both in the experimental farm of Wheat Research Centre, Dinajpur and farmer's field both Dinajpur and Rajshahi area for wheat, maize, rice and mungbean cultivation in the year 2011-12. For new bed making, the planter was used in pre tilled soil. There could be two lines for wheat, two lines for mungbean, jute and one line for maize per bed. There were flute type and inclined plate type seed metering mechanism for fertilizing and seed sowing, respectively. In permanent bed planting system, herbicide (round up) used before reshaping the bed for maize, rice sowing after wheat. Maize sowing in permanent bed, seed and fertilizer were applied at a time of reshape. The density of rice and wheat residue were 1.8 t/ha and 1.6 t/ha, respectively. The cropping systems were followed as wheat-maize- rice, and wheat-mungbean-rice respectively. Maize and mungbean planting on permanent bed was carried out in summer season after wheat (March). Adaptive trials conducted Dinajpur area and Rajshai area (Chargat, Puthia, Durgapur, Natore). All basal fertilizers are broadcasted over the surface before starting bed formation and seeding. For seeding on permanent bed, DAP fertilizer applied by the planter during seeding operation. Rice also planted directly on permanent bed.

Weeding operation was done by the bed planter for both wheat and maize cultivation. There is some readjustment in the planter formulate for doing this job. But in conventional system, generally farmers did not weeding, nowadays farmers are applying herbicides (Afinity, 33g@16 lit water for 5 decimal land) for controlling weeds especially broad leaves. Irrigation water applied through the bed furrows. Three irrigations for wheat and three irrigations for maize cultivation. But in conventional system, farmers irrigated wheat field in flood method contract basis to the Shallow tubewell owners. Extra one labour involved during the every irrigation. 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) Field efficiency (%), v) Fuel consumption (l/hr), vi) No. of plant/m², viii) Yield/m². Transparent polythene bags were tagged with each of the two seed delivery tubes. The bed planter was operated on a pre-measured 20 m travel distance with a sowing width of 70 cm, thus providing a 14m² area. After every 20m linear distance run, seeds collected through tubes were weighed separately and the total seed weight was also noted. This method was repeated by acceleration and deceleration of the lever of seed meter until the desired seed rate obtained. Since the seed metering device is 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 is wheel slippage.

Source of Information: Annual Research Report 2011-12, RWRC, BARI, Rajshahi, Page:54-61, Publication June 2012

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

i. The bed planter was improved by introducing inclined plate seed meter for seeding maize, rice wheat and other small seeds efficiently. Maize and wheat establishment in bed planting are more attractive and easier compare to traditional methods.

ii. Bed formation and seeding operation performed simultaneously by this bed planter.

iii. Considerable amount of water can be saved (34.1 %) by bed planting system with minimum labour involvement.

iv. Water logged problem can be avoided using bed planting system during monsoon period mungbean cultivation

v. After the formation of the initial bed, the following crops can be cultivated reshaping the bed without tillage operation by the same bed planter.

Vi. Maize planting cost in new bed and permanent bed was 63.0% and 72.5% less than conventional planting method.

vii. Present contest of agriculture, bed planting technology seems to be highly mechanized system. Direct seeding rice can attract bed planting system one step ahead.

Knowledge Management: Report/Proceedings