Evaluation of Furrow Opener for Application of Fertilizer at Different Depths
Abstract
To enhance the fertilizer use efficiency at different depth in crop root zone a differential depth furrow opener for tractor-drawn seed-cum-fertilizer drill under raised beds sowing was evaluated at ICAR-Central Institute of Agricultural Engineering, Bhopal. The furrow opener was evaluated based on draft and power requirements under soil bin at four depths (5, 10, 15, and 20 cm), four forward speeds (1.8, 3.2, 4.3 and 5.4 km/h) and three compaction level (200, 400 and 600 kPa). The field performance evaluation of furrow opener was done in two wheat crop varieties; HI-1544 (Triticum aestivum) and HI-8663 (Triticum durum) under raised beds. The experiment consisted fertilizer (NPK mixed) placement depth 0 cm, 5 cm, 10 cm, 15 cm and 20 cm in split-plot design. Highest grain yield was observed in 15 cm depth treatment (6048 kg/ha) followed 10 cm by (5611 kg/ha.) 5cm, (5223 kg/ha.), (4739 kg/ha.) and 0cm depth application (4493 kg/ha).From crop attributes point of view, parallel results were observed for 10 cm and 15 cm. But considering the draft and power requirement, 15 cm deep fertilization required 47% and 42% higher draft and power, respectively as compared to 10 cm deep fertilization.
