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Field Performance Evaluation of Push Type Prilled Urea Applicator in Rice Cultivation

A K M Saiful Islam
Bangladesh Rice Research Institute, Gazipur, 1701, Bangladesh.

M A Rahman
Bangladesh Rice Research Institute, Gazipur, 1701, Bangladesh.

A K M Lutfor Rahman
Bangladesh Rice Research Institute, Gazipur, 1701, Bangladesh.

M T Islam
Bangladesh Rice Research Institute, Gazipur, 1701, Bangladesh.

M I Rahman
Bangladesh Rice Research Institute, Gazipur, 1701, Bangladesh.

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

BRRI prilled urea applicator was designed and developed to facilitate deep placement of regular urea. Experiments were conducted to evaluate the performance of BRRI prilled urea applicator in the farmers’ fields at Gosaidanga in Shailkupa upazila under Jhenaidah district and at Rashidpur in Mithapukur upazila under Rangpur district during Boro 2015 season. Three treatments: hand broadcasting of urea (recommended dose) (HB), BRRI prilled urea applicator (70% of the recommended dose) (PUA) and BRRI USG applicator (70% of the recommended dose) (USGA) were compared in the experiments. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design (RCBD) and replicated in four farmers’ plots in each location using BRRI dhan28 as test crop both the locations. Prior to field experiment, prilled urea applicator was calibrated and urea dispensed was set to 14 gm in one revolution of drive wheel for Boro season. The field capacity of the PUA and USGA was almost similar (0.09-0.10 ha hr^-1) in both the locations. Field efficiency of PUA and USGA had 64-65 and 68-69 percent, respectively. PUA and USGA saved 29-32 percent urea fertilizer compared to HB whereas labour requirement of HB (3.74-4.04 man-hr ha^-1) in three splits showed similar to single application of urea by PUA (3.68-4.00 man-hr ha^-1) and USGA (3.78-3.97 man-hr ha^-1). Urea application cost in HB, PUA and USGA was Tk 4624, 3216-3424 and 3305-3483 per hectare in both the locations. Prilled urea application method reduced the production cost. Urea application methods showed insignificant effect on grain yield. BRRI prilled urea safely dispensed urea fertilizer in subsurface, increased the efficacy of urea fertilizer and saved urea fertilizer without sacrificing grain yield. BRRI prilled urea applicator could be a viable technology in rice cultivation. Extensive dissemination works should be undertaken in different agro-ecological zones for wide spread adoption of the applicator.

Keywords: Field capacity, Fertilizer saving, Labour requirement, Benefit-cost ratio

Location: Gosaidanga in Shailkupa upazila under Jhenaidah district and at Rashidpur in Mithapukur upazila under Rangpur district.

Start Date: 00-00-2015

End Date: 00-00-2015

Program Area: Farm Mechanization

Commodity: Farm machineries

Objectives:

1. To estimate the savings of urea fertilizer

2. To compare the cost of applying prilled urea by applicator over USG applicator and hand broadcasting.

Methodology:

This experiment was conducted in the farmers’ field at Gosaidanga in Shailkupa upazila under Jhenaidah district and at Rashidpur in Mithapukur upazila under Rangpur district. The experiment was carried out in randomized complete block design (RCBD) and replicated in four farmers’ plots. Twelve plots within one kilometer radius were selected to conduct this study. The treatments were T₁= Hand broadcasting of urea (recommended dose) (HB); T₂= BRRI prilled urea applicator (70% of the recommended dose) (PUA) and T₃= BRRI USG applicator (70% of the recommended dose) (USGA). BRRI dhan28 was grown in all the experimental plots. Seedbed preparation often involves secondary tillage by using spade and puddling was done after inundating the field. Sprouted seeds were broadcast in the field. Drainage canals were constructed for proper water removal. Puddled soil was leveled and raised to 5-10 cm height. Organic manure (decompose) and a small amount of inorganic fertilizer was applied as basal dressing to increase seed vigor and allows easier uprooting for transplanting. A fertilizer dose per hectare of 136 kg P, 111 kg K, 111 kg S and 11.25 kg Zn as triple super phosphate, muriate of potash, gypsum and zinc sulfate, respectively was applied at final land preparation. Irrigation water was applied uniformly time to time as when required in all the transplanted plots for proper growth and development of crops. Maximum irrigation was needed at the panicle initiation stage. The nursery bed was made wet by application of water one day before uprooting the seedlings. The seedlings were uprooted on 29^th January 2015 without causing much mechanical injury to the roots and they were immediately transferred to the main field. Forty-five-day (for Rangpur site) and fifty-six-day (for Jhenaidah site)-old seedlings were uprooted carefully from the nursery field and transplanted in each of the well puddle unit plots on two different days. The date of transplanting was 29 ^th January 2015 in Rangpur site and 10^th February 2015 in Jhenaidah site. Row to row spacing of 20 cm was maintained but plant to plant spacing was varied. The plant to plant spacing depends largely on the skill of the labor. BRRI prilled applicator was designed by considering the line to line spacing of 20 cm. Laboratory trial was done by using large granule prilled urea. Generally, hand broadcasting of prilled urea was applied in three equal splits i.e. one-third at 20 DAT, one-third at active tillering stage and one-third at 5-7 days before panicle initiation stage. The prilled urea and USG were applied by applicator at 70% of the recommended dose in one time at 2-3 days after transplanting. The amount of human labor involved in each operation was investigated through field measurements. As pre-planting weedicide was not applied so the weed infestation was severe and weed was controlled by hand weeding. Fertilizer rate was different and all other inputs were similar in three methods. Grain yield was recorded from pre-selected 10 m² land area and adjusted moisture content of 14% moisture level. For computing above ground biomass and yield contributing characters, four hills were collected from the outside of the selected area. The dry weight of straw was determined after oven-drying at 70°C to constant weight. Panicle number of each hill was counted to determine the panicle number m^-2. Above ground total biomass was the total dry matter of straw, rachis and filled and unfilled spike lets. Spike lets per panicle, grain-filling percentage and harvest index were calculated. Border areas of all sides of the plot were excluded to avoid border competition effects. In order to estimate the production cost, the data on working speed, total time and labor involvement and materials inputs to complete the operation were recorded. Land value and interest on investment was considered to calculate the total production cost. Price of the produce was collected from the local markets to compute total production cost, gross return, gross margin and benefit-cost ratio. Statistical analysis was done by using software Statistix 9.0. Least significant difference was used to compare the means.

Source of Information: Bangladesh Rice J. 19(2): 68-78, 2015

Article Link (Online Journal): DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/brj.v19i2.28167

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Prilled urea application method reduced the production cost. Urea application methods showed insignificant effect on grain yield. BRRI prilled urea safely dispensed urea fertilizer in subsurface, increased the efficacy of urea fertilizer and saved urea fertilizer without sacrificing grain yield. BRRI prilled urea applicator could be a viable technology in rice cultivation. Extensive dissemination works should be undertaken in different agro-ecological zones for wide spread adoption of the applicator.

Knowledge Management: Journal