Field evaluation of aqua ferti seed drill

In the realm of food crops in the world, wheat occupies the number one position. India is one of the principal wheat producing and consuming countries in the world. Its importance in Indian agriculture is second to only rice. The rice-wheat is the most important crop rotation covering nearly 69.3 million hectare area in India. The area under rice and wheat cultivation was 43 and 26.3 million hectare and total production was 129 and 72 million tones respectively during the year 2005. Dry land agriculture constitutes about 67% of total cultivated area (118 Mha) in India and contributes 42% to food production with average productivity of 0.7 to 0.8 t/ha. Timeliness is more important in rain fed farming to utilize the available moisture for crop establishment. Crop production in the rain fed areas is a very difficult task due to uncertainty of soil moisture during sowing time. This creates problem in proper germination of seed and good establishment of crop in the initial stage. There is always uncertainty of further growth and development of crops grown during winter season. Also, the applied fertilizer remains unavailable to the plant due to inadequate soil water to dissolve, dilute and convey it to the root depth level. A research prototype of rotary gear pump with constant head gravity tank having five constant head level i.e. 47.5, 42.5, 37.5 32.5 and 27.5 cm and four nozzle opening of 10, 8, 6 and 4 mm was developed and test evaluated. Increased rate of aqueous fertilizer gave enhanced growth performance parameters in addition to better germination. For 8000 l/ha aqueous fertilizer rate, increase in germination, no of shoot per plant, no of ear head, plant height, grain yield and straw yield were 51%, 48, 38%, 11%, 38% and 60%, respectively in comparison to those in plots with no aqueous fertilizer. The use of aqua ferti seed drill is economical keeping in view its advantages. The cost of the machine is estimates as Rs. 27, 000 with BEP 49% of annual utility of 200 hours and pay back period of 3 years. It would make possible the sowing of wheat in dryland areas where seeding is not possible in many instances.