Development and Performance Evaluation of a PTO Powered Vertical Disc Plough with Seeding Attachment for Sowing of Wheat after Rice

Abstract

A PTO powered vertical disc plough with seeding attachment was developed for sowing of wheat in combine harvested rice field. The performance was also compared with rototill seed drill and conventional method of sowing under un-chopped and chopped residue field condition. Experimental result showed that the powered vertical disc plough with seeding attachment (T1 ) required 2.78 h and 3.12 h less time than roto-till drilling (T2 ) and conventional method (T3 ) of wheat sowing, both under un-chopped and chopped residue field condition. Under un-chopped residue condition, the saving of time in treatment T1 over treatment T2 and T3 was 28.2 % and 77.6 %, respectively. Under same condition, the saving in fuel consumption in treatment T1 over T2 and T3 , was 11.24 % and 66.38 %, respectively. Under chopped residue condition, the fuel saving in treatment T1 was also higher compared to T2 and T3 . The germination count after 20 DAS was highest in T3 , followed by T2 and T1 .The number of tillers at 60 DAS was highest in T3, followed by T1 and T2 treatments. Maximum grain yield of 5.46 t.ha-1 was obtained in treatment T3 , followed by 5.35 t.ha-1 and 4.30t.ha-1 in treatment T1 and T2 , respectively under unchopped rice residue condition. The implement was found as an alternative for wheat sowing under minimum tillage in combine harvested rice field with un-chopped residue.