|
Zero Till Seed Cum Fertilizer Drill
What is Zero Tillage ?
Without
going in for any ploughing direct sowing of wheat in a field after
harvesting of rice using Zero-till drill is known as zero tillage.
Why Zero Tillage ?
In
case sowing of wheat is done after 25th November, the yield decreases
at a rate of 30 kg/ha/day. Zero tillage minimizes the losses due to
delayed sowing. Moreover, the cost involved in land preparation is also
saved.
How Zero Tillage ?
Irrigation
is given to the standing rice crop. a few days before harvesing. Direct
sowing of wheat is done in the rice field by using zero-fill drill
utilizing residual moisture. This advances the sowing of wheat as time
required for field preparation is saved.
Where Zero Tillage ?
Bharat
Zero tillage can be adopted where the sowing of wheat is delayed beyond
25th November due to late maturity of rice. It can be used in almost
all types of soils except very heavy clayey soils.
Benefits
- Economical as the costs of fuel, labour and
interest are saved. It can save around Rs. 1700/- per hectare required
for field preparation.
- As the time required for field preparation is saved, sowing of wheat can be advanced by 8-10 days.
- The problem of Phalaris minor is comparatively
less as the weed seeds lying at lower depths doesn't come to the
surface as in case of conventional tillage.
- Improved seeding equipment coupled with efficient input management present as opportunity for higher and more consistent yields.
Wheat Varieties
The recommended varieties of the area should be grown.
Seed Rate
The
requirement for seed under zero tillage has been found to be around 25%
higher compared to conventional practice and the optimum seed rate is
150 kg/hr.
Seed Treatment
To avoid loss due to birds and loose smut, seed should be treated with Vitavas/Bavastin at the rate of 2.5 g/kg of wheat seed.
Weed Control
- Weed infestation is comparatively less due to
non-availability of nutrients from well placed fertilizers near to the
wheat seed. However, to control both narrow (Phalaris minor) and broad
leaved weeds following weedicides could be used.
- Sencor @ 200-250 g/ha in atleast 500 litres of
water 30-35 days after sowing or 2-3 leaves stage of Phalaris minor,
which never is earlier or Leader (Sulphasulfuron) @ 30/ha in atleast
500 litres of water 30-40 days after sowing.
General Instructions
- Rice should be harvested near to the ground and the left over stubble should not be more than 15 cm in height.
- Calibrate the drill for seed and fertilizer before undertaking sowing.
- Sowing depth should be 5-7 cm.
- Granular form of fertilizer should be used to prevent choking of drill.
- Use flat fan or cut nozzle for spray of weedicides.
- Apply first irrigation about 15-20 days after sowing.
- Monitor seed and fertilizers pipes to avoid choking during sowing.
- Do not attach planker behind the Bharat Zerotillage machine.
- Do not worry, if after sowing, the seeds remain
visible in the slit made by zero-till drill. All seeds will germinate
and there is no need to cover them.
Bharat Zero-Till Machine
- Bharat seed-cum-fertilizer drill has knife type
tines in place of shovel type and is suitable for zero tillage
condition. The various adjustments of the machine are as follows.
- Tines fitted at a distance of 21 cm has a provision to shift by 2.5 cm on either side.
- Bharat Zero-tillage machine is fitted with two
boxes, one for seed and the other for fertilizer. Seed box lever is
provided along with looking bolts and markings to get a known quantity
per hectare.
- Seeding depth can be manipulated by adjusting two side depth wheels with the help of screw bolts.
- Front driving wheel is provided with a groove to adjust as per requirement.
- Wooden platform is provided to keep an attendant to monitor the choking, if any, of seed and fertilizer delivery pipes.
- Bharat Zero-tillage machine is provided with
knife type tines instead of shovel type and is suitable for sowing
under zero as well as conventional field preparation.
- Bharat Zero tillage machine is provided with two
lower link pins and a lift patti with two holes to attach the machine
with the tractor.
|
