Development and testing of tractor operated variable depth fertilizer applicator on application of granular urea in wheat crop planted on beds

Abstract

High fertilizer rate and labor requirement are common problems in traditional application of fertilizer. Fertilizer applicator was tested and evaluated for wheat crop (Triticumaestivum) planted on bed cultivation system. Study included suitable measurement techniques for recording various field parameters. Physical properties of granular urea fertilizer have been studied such as size and shape, sphericity, moisture content 18.7%, bulk density 0.76 g/m3 and hundred particles weight 0.8 gm. The machine was calibrated in the laboratory for different rate of fertilizer application and determination of coefficient of variation.The field tests of machine were conducted on the wheat crop planted on bed in 5 rows. Operating parameters such as operational speed 3.7 km/h, wheel slippage 4.69%, average field capacity 0.65 ha/h, field efficiency 80.10% and plant damage 4.33% were found respectively. Crop and Straw yield were found for three fertilizer application methods broadcast5.72 t/ha, 5.38 t/ha,foliar application6.1 t/ha and 15.82 t/haand tractor operated fertilizer applicator15.89 t/ha, 16.5 t/ha. The tractor operated variable depth fertilizer applicator resulted 3% and 6.5% increase in yield as compared to broadcast and foliar application. Because in this method ammonia did not evaporate to the atmosphere due to placing of fertilizer at a depth of 100 mm below the soil surface. The saving of fertilizer by placing it in the soil by tractor operated fertilizer applicator was 33.33 and 16.6 kg/ha as compared to broadcast and foliar methods, which leads to saving of Rs 341 and Rs 611/ha respectively.