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Field Performance of BARI Urea Super Granule Applicator

M. A. Hoque
Senior Scientific Officer
F M P Engineering Division, BARI, Gazipur

M. R. Karim
Scientific Officer
OFRD, Pabna, Bangladesh

M. S. MIAH
Scientific Officer
F M P Engineering Division, BARI, Gazipur

M. A. Rahman
Scientific Officer
F M P Engineering Division, BARI,Gazipur

M. M. Rahman
Scientific Officer
F M P Engineering Division, BARI, Gazipur

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Field performance of Urea Super Granule (USG) applicator developed by BARI was evaluated at various BARI research stations (Gazipur, Pabna, and Barisal) and in the farmer’s field of Pabna, Barisal, Magura, Narshingdi, Jhenadah, Sirajgang, Rajbari and Jhalkathi during the boro season of 2012-13. The applicator was tested by four treatments : application of USG by hand (165 kg/ha), application of USG by BARI USG applicator (165 kg/ha), application of prilled urea at USG rate (165 kg/ha) and application of prilled urea at farmers practice. In the farmer’s field, USG applicator was evaluated with the traditional broadcasting of granular urea. Similar yield of rice was obtained from machine and hand application of USG in all locations. Higher yield of rice was obtained from USG treatment than granular urea one. During field test, average field capacity and efficiency of the applicator were 0.138 ha/h and 81%, respectively. Considering custom hiring, the net income per year was Tk. 71,750 and the payback period was 3 days. The price of the applicator was Tk. 3500.

Keywords: USG applicator, Field capacity, Field efficiency, Payback period, Rice yield

Location: BARI research stations,Gazipur, Pabna, and Barisal and farmer’s field at Pabna, Barisal, Magura, Narshingdi, Jhenadah, Sirajgang, Rajbari and Jhalkathi districts, Bangladesh

Start Date: 00-00-2012

End Date: 00-00-2013

Program Area: Farm Mechanization

Commodity: Performance

Objectives:

To evaluate the field performance of BARI developed Urea Super Granule (USG) applicator.

Methodology:

The skids of the applicator were placed between rows of rice plants keeping two rows of rice plants between the skids. Half of the fertilizer hoppers were filled with Urea Super Granule (USG). The applicator was then pushed forward manually. This made the cage wheel and the metering devices rotated. During rotation of the metering devices, it carries USG into the pockets and delivers them to the furrow openers. During forward movement of the applicator, the skids helped float the machine. The applicator dropped the USG at 20 cm row spacing, at about 38 cm spacing along the row and at 5-6 cm depth. Furrow closers closed the furrows providing anaerobic condition for the USG. The total width of application was adjustable (70 cm-100 cm). The field performance test of the applicator was done in the experimental field of FMP Engineering division, Gazipur; Agricultural Research Station (ARS), Pabna and Regional Agricultural Research Station, Rahmatpur, Barisal during boro season of 2012-13. The USG applicator was operated at 8 days after transplanting rice seedlings. The applicator was used in 2-5 cm of standing water. The machine was operated at an average speed of 1.50 km/h. One operator could comfortably run the machine. The experiment was laid out in RCB design with the following treatments and three replications. T₁= Application of USG (urea super granule) by hand (165 kg/ha), T₂= Application of USG (urea super granule) by the machine (165 kg/ha), T₃= Application of prilled urea at USG rate (165 kg/ha), T₄= Application of prilled urea at farmers’ practice (287 kg/ha). Each plot size was 5.5 × 5 m in Gazipur; 10 × 8 m in Pabna and 17.5 m × 12.5 m in Barisal. The soil type was clay loam, loam, and sandy loam in Gazipur, Pabna, Barisal and Magura, respectively. The rice variety was BRRI dhan28. The ages of seedlings were 35, 30 and 36 days in Gazipur, Pabna, and Barisal, respectively. The date of planting of seedlings in Gazipur was 10 March 2013, in Pabna was 14 February 2012 and in Barisal was 19 April, 2013. Row to row and hill to hill distance was 20 cm. For counting missing percentage of USG for the applicator, required numbers of USG was calculated for each plot and after application numbers of remain USG in the hopper was counted. TSP 51 kg/ha, MOP 70 kg/ha, Zinc 50 kg/ha and Boron 5 kg/ha were applied as basal dose before final land preparation. Full dose of USG was applied at 8 DAS (days after transplanting). One third prilled urea was applied at 8 days after transplanting and second one third urea was applied 40 DAS. The rest one third urea was applied at 55-60 DAS. Weeding was done manually at 35 DAS. Irrigation was applied when the soil moisture content became below the saturation condition. The insecticides were applied as and when necessary. To compare field performance of the USG applicator with manual broadcasted prilled urea application, total 22 crop cuts were taken from different locations of the country. Farmers were selected who has cultivated BRRI dhan28 and applied both USG by BARI applicator and broadcasted prilled urea. Each set of data was collected from Babugang and Gouranadi upzilla of Barisal, Shibpur upzilla of Narshingdi district, Baliakandi and Pangsa upzilla of Rajbari district, Sailokopaupzilla of Jhinaidah district. Two sets of data were collected from each upzilla of Sujanagar and Sathia of Pabna, Shahajadpur and Ullapara of Sirajgang, Jhalkathisadar and Rajapur of Jhalkathi, Salikha and Sreepur of Magura. Mean values were analyzed statistically and mean separation was done at 5% level by DMRT. Incase of USG applicator and Broadcast method mean values were analysed using test.

Source of Information: Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 41(1): 103-113, March 2016; ISSN 0258-7122

Article Link (Online Journal): http://www.banglajol.info/index.php/BJAR/article/view/27676/18441

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

USG applicator was easy to operate as its weight was only 6 kg. It saved about 80% of USG application time and cost by about 78% than hand application. USG application provided higher yield of rice over the granular urea application system.

Knowledge Management: Journal