INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGY AND TECHNICAL MEANS FOR PREPARING A FIELD FOR MACHINE HARVESTING OF RAW COTTON

The article presents the results of research on the development of a technology for growing cotton with targeted and uniform moistening of the root systems of plants, which jointly contributed to the creation of optimal conditions for machine harvesting of raw cotton by ensuring early ripening (for 2–3 weeks) and a high yield. Among the measures reducing the labor intensity, further improvement of technology and means of mechanizing cotton sowing is important. The cotton cultivation on the ridge by the soil cultivation theory creates possibilities for adding the arable layer during a high growing season of cotton, which allows for obtaining friendly shoots, developing plants and obtaining a large amount of cotton-raw that ripe early. There is no sign of moisture accumulation in the soils, resulting in soil dusting, structure destroying and soil crusting, forcing creating a “drip irrigation system” providing plants with water and fertilizer if necessary. The use of “drip irrigation” guarantees higher yields and saves labor, water and energy resources. For the use of drip irrigation systems on farms with flexible perforated irrigation tapes laid in the upper part of the bed along its entire length, it is carried out simultaneously with the sowing of cottonseeds, which makes it possible to exclude manual layout of irrigation hoses, i.e., a time-consuming manual operation to start urgent irrigation work.

The article presents the results of research on the development of technology for comb cultivation of industrial crops with targeted and uniform moistening of the root system of plants. Innovative ridge tillage of the soil with simultaneous sowing of seeds of industrial crops and with the laying of a drip irrigation hose on the ridge, the accumulation of moisture is excluded, which leads to the pollination of the soil, destruction of the structure and formation of a soil crust, this contributes to the production of friendly seedlings, good plant development and obtaining a high yield of raw cotton with early ripening. The drip irrigation system allows you to provide plants with water and fertilizers. The drip irrigation system, with the laying of flexible perforated irrigation tapes on ridges along its entire length, is carried out simultaneously with the sowing of cotton seeds, which eliminates the manual layout of irrigation hoses, and eliminates time-consuming manual operation during feeding and further watering. The use of drip irrigation guarantees higher yields, as well as provides savings in labor, water, and energy resources.

This article presents the extensive agricultural characteristics of fodder plants growing wild in nature, which are the most promising shrub and semi-shrub fodder plants for the creation and development of cultivated pastures in degraded karakul (sheep) pastures. Also, the fact that out of 17.5 million hectares of land allotted for karakul breeding in the desert and semi-desert zones of the Republic, which up to 40 percent are degraded to one degree or another, their average productivity has decreased by 21 percent. The authors of the article analyzed degraded pastures in desert and semi-desert zones of Uzbekistan and foreign countries and ways to improve their condition. A method is recommended for restoring degraded pastures by mechanizing the sowing of seeds of shrubs and semi-shrubs. Studies on the mechanization of sowing small-seeded and non-flowing seeds show that, firstly, the mechanized sowing of desert fodder plants is largely carried out on the basis of agrotechnical methods in conditions that do not correspond to the specific conditions of deserts, and secondly, shrub and semi-shrub plants and their seeds have physical and mechanical properties that are very different from other crops and seeds. A universal sowing unit is recommended, which consists of a four-sowing machine, which, in one pass of the technological process of work, sows seeds of shrubs and semi-shrub desert fodder plants with relatively close seed sizes. At the same time, the hoppers of the sowing unit are filled with 1, 2, 3 or 4 types of seeds of different plants and the seeds are sown. During the operation of the unit, the first hopper of the sowing machine is filled with shrub seeds (for example, saxaul) and the hoppers of the remaining 2, 3 and 4 sowing machines are filled with one or different types of seeds of semi-shrubby plants (Izen, keiruk, teresken), etc. The universal sowing machine sows seeds in one direction 3.6 m wide, and when returning, it also sows seeds 3.6 m wide, forming a pasture strip with a total width of 7.2 m. In the first row, it sows the seeds of a shrub plant (for example, saxaul seeds) and, in the remaining 2, 3, 4 rows - different types of seeds of semi-shrubs, for example, seeds of izen or seeds of other semi-shrubs, while on both edge rows of the pasture strip, he sows seeds of shrubs between them, sows seeds of semi-shrubs and creates a pasture-protective strip, consisting of shrubs and semi-shrubs. Simultaneous sowing of shrubs along the two edges of the strip provides for the protection of these undersized semi-shrubs from heat, strong wind and dust, as a result of which they develop better. The following parameters of the universal seeding unit were determined: the speed of movement of the unit is 1.38 -2.22 m/s; working width of the universal sowing unit 3.6 m; quantity of the sowing device 4 pieces; distance between sowing units 0.9 m; the number of seed mixture mixers in the lower part of the hopper is 6 pieces; lengths of cone-shaped fingers softeners of the seed mixture 7.0 cm; normalizing drum radius 5.0 cm; number of revolutions of the normalizing drum 26-30 r/min; length of the normalizing drum 7.0 cm; quantity of triangular chute 8 pieces.

A field experiment was conducted in Al-Yusufiya district - Al-Mahmoudiya district, Baghdad province during the winter season 2021, to study improving the efficiency and management of water use and the productivity of lettuce under different irrigation systems. The Nested-Factorial Experiments design was used, where the main plots include the first factor, irrigation levels (I1) 50%, (I2) 75%, (I3) 100, (I4) 125%, (I5) 150% ETpan. After depleting 35% of the available water and in terms of climatic data from the American Evaporative Basin, Class A. Then the main factor is divided into three replicates, and the coefficients of the second factor are distributed randomly within each replicate, which includes the irrigation system: surface drip irrigation, a plant line drip line (S1) and a two plant line drip line (S2), The subsurface drip irrigation system is a plant-line drip line (SS1) and a two plant drip line (SS2) and furrows irrigation system (SI.) The results show that the highest field water use efficiency is 108.2 and 104.1 kg m-3 for the subsurface drip irrigation system (SS2) and (SS1) and at irrigation level I2. While the field water use efficiency of the surface drip irrigation system was 72.07 kg m-3 at the level of irrigation I3 for treatment (S1) and for treatment (S2) it reached 68.90 kg m-3 at the level of irrigation I4. As for irrigation in-furrow (SI), it reached 33.30 kg m-1 for irrigation level I2 and the highest yield was 286.2 Mg. ha-1 for I5SS2 treatment, and the lowest yield was 62.50 Mg. ha-1 for I1S1 treatment. The highest average head length and head circumference were 46.19 and 69.20 cm at I5SS1 treatment, respectively.

One of the main parameters of high-quality sowing of agricultural seeds is their uniform distribution along the length, which is mainly influenced by the sowing unit. In the present work, the sowing of seeds of grain crops using a coil seeding unit is considered as an object of research. As a subject of research, the dependences of the uniformity of seed distribution along the length of the furrow on the non-uniformity of the specific working volume of the coil, the rotation frequency of the blower of the pneumatic seeder and the seeding rate are considered. The aim of the work is to improve the uniformity of the distribution of the area of nutrition that falls on each plant with an ordinary method of sowing winter wheat. The paper presents the results of theoretical prerequisites for determining the working volume of the seeding coil, the results of field experiments of the seeding unit using coils with different geometric characteristics. The analysis of the uniformity of seed distribution using regression analysis and Bayesian networks is carried out. The resulting determination coefficient of 0.82 allows concluding that the resulting mathematical model can be used for practical purposes. It is noted that the proposed cellular seeding coil stands out qualitatively among the grooved and grooved-screw coils. Its use with a probability of 80%, according to the constructed Bayesian network, at low seeding rates of 75-150 kg / ha contributes to ensuring the best indexes for the uniformity of sowing of winter wheat.

Farm fresh vegetable production is gaining much importance in urban areas. This is a turning point for agriculture in urban and peri-urban areas, to introduce new technology like Drip Irrigation System (DIS). Nowadays, urban people take due care by cultivating vegetables on their roof–top, because of high pesticide residues in market produce. But, urban farming initiatives lack supervision and guidance in whole cultivation practices especially in irrigation. Here comes the role of low-cost drip irrigation system to solve acute water shortage and labor problem. Keeping in view of the above few facts, a field experiment was conducted on automatic drip irrigation for grow bag cultivation to evaluate yield, water-use- efficiency and economic feasibility of a commonly used vegetable, okra. Comparison was done with the manual hose irrigation for grow bags. A comparative study was conducted to evaluate the performance of time-based automatic drip irrigation system and manual hose irrigation in okra. Irrigation time optimized at 15minutes provided 250 ml of water per plant. Based on the growth stage, crop water requirement of vegetables was estimated to be 0.6 to 2 litre/day. To meet this crop water requirement, irrigation was done at four time intervals viz., morning twice and evening twice in such a manner one litre water was irrigated per grow bag. Thus, drip irrigation conserved 50% water compared to manual hose irrigation. It was found that drip irrigation gave 37.70% higher yield than that obtained with the manual drip irrigation system. Automatic DIS increased irrigation efficiency up to 95% than that of conventional method of irrigation. BCR using automated DIS was observed to be 1.45. Time based Automatic Family Drip System (FDS) is observed to be user-friendly, economical and cost effective as compared to conventional hose irrigation for farming on terraces in cities. Time saving, low energy consumption and low pressure low cost DIS had been widely accepted among urban farmers to promote vegetable cultivation in their own houses.

This study was conducted on a calcareous salt – affected soil at Ras Sudr area, South Sinai governorate during season of (2006&2007), to evaluate the influence of trickle irrigation systems (Surface and Sub-surface) on wheat crop cultivation under saline conditions of soil and water. Also, this work includes different water management technique, (quantities and discharges). The objective of the present work is to implement some of these discharges and water deficit in computing actual evapotranspiration of wheat under desert conditions, to maximize the yield production of wheat under trickle irrigation systems to save more water quantities and to keep the soil sustainable from degradation. Results of this study may be revealed that: 1- Highest yield (2254.3 kg/fed.) and growth parameters Leaf Area Index “LAI” of (85%), weight grain “W” of (61.6gm) and crude protein “P” of (15.4%) were obtained under subsurface trickle irrigation system at 100% applied water quantity and 8L/h emitter discharge . 2- Lowest actual evapotranspiration “Eta”, for (Initial, development, mid-season, late-season) growth stages and seasonal, (34, 103, 80.4, 48.1 and 265.3 mm) respectively, were obtained under subsurface trickle irrigation system at 100% applied water quantity and 8L/h emitter discharge. 3- Water use efficiency for surface and subsurface trickle irrigation systems at 80% applied water quantity and 8L/h emitter discharge was (1.17 and 2.25 kg/m3) resp.

The article is devoted to developing measures to combat soil erosion of lands susceptible to degradation and desertification. These measures are aimed at accelerating environmental management processes and improving ecology through the implementation of new promising technologies and technical means into agricultural production. A combined sowing unit was developed that in one pass prepares the soil for sowing and sows seeds. A unit for mechanical destruction of the seed dome was developed. A technological scheme for the process of sowing saxaul seeds was proposed. Technical specifications for the sowing unit were also developed.

A study was conducted to determine the effect of low cost drip tape irrigation system on yield and economics of sweet corn in comparison to conventional inline drip irrigation and surface irrigation systems during 2013-14 at Coimbatore, India. The treatment comprises of two drip irrigation systems with three irrigation levels viz., 75, 100 and 125% of pan evaporation (PE) from Class A Pan evaporimeter. Plant height, fresh cob length, girth, number of kernels per cob and single fresh cob weight and yield were higher at 125% PE in conventional in line drip irrigation system and it was statistically at par with drip irrigation at 125% PE in low cost drip tape irrigation system. Water saving was 36, 49 and 62% at 125, 100 and 75% PE, respectively under conventional in line drip irrigation system and drip tape irrigation system as against the surface irrigation. The cost of low cost drip tape system was 68% lower than the conventional inline drip system. The results of the research indicated that based on net income, B:C ratio and GM/TMV ratio, adoption of low cost drip tape irrigation system at 125% PE was found to be best for small and marginal farmers with substantial yield and income compared to conventional inline drip system.Bangladesh Agron. J. 2016 19(2): 71-77

Growth and Yield Performance of Selected Wheat Genotypes at Variable Irrigation Management

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of different irrigation depths and harvest dates in sweet potato for conversion to biofuels. Irrigation treatments were 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, and 1.0 of crop evapotranspiration rates and a control treatment (without irrigation). Harvest dates were: 90, 120, 150, 180, and 210 days after planting (DAP). The sweet potato cultivar BRS Cuia (RNC-27.315) was utilized. The experimental design was a randomized block in factorial arrangement (irrigation depths combined with harvest dates) with four replications. Reference crop evaporation was calculated based on the method of FAO Penman-Monteith. Drip irrigation system was used and irrigation frequency was every seven days. The highest and lowest yield were at 90 and 210 DAP, respectively. The lowest yield variation was between 120 and 150 DAP. Control treatment had highest yield in all harvest dates. Efficient water use was greater with irrigation of 0.25 of ETc with 116.9 and 218.8 m3 ha at 90 and 210 DAP, respectively. Starch content, crude protein, length and diameter of the root, and yield were influenced by different irrigation depths and harvest dates. Key words: Ipomoea batatas, irrigation management, ethanol feedstock, drip irrigation, water deficit, efficient irrigation strategies.

The aim of this study is to explore suitable drip irrigation system on the water saving and high yield of pear-jujube from 2009 to 2012 years in the mountain of northern Shaanxi. The treatments consisted of combinations of 5 drip irrigation systems (DP). The irrigation quota of DP-1, DP-2 and DP-3 treatment was 100 m3 hm-2, 135 m3 hm-2 and 180 m3 hm-2, respectively, irrigated 4 times. The irrigation quota of DP-4 and DP-5 treatment was 135 m3 hm-2 and irrigated 3 and 2times, respectively; and with no irrigation as the control (C). Results indicated that bearing branch length of jujube, fruit set and yield of different drip irrigation system are significantly better than C (P<0.05). Bearing branch length and yield of DP-3 treatment are reached maximum in 2012, which are 22.0 cm and 16772.8 m3 hm-2. And they are increased by 47.7% and 13.2% compared with C, respectively. In addition, the water consumption of different irrigation treatment increases along with the increasing of irrigation amount. And the DP-3 treatment is the highest in different years. The water use efficiency of pear-jujube of low irrigation quota is better than the high irrigation quota. Water use efficiency of 135 m3 hm-2 and irrigated 2 times treatment is the best, which is 1.92 m3 hm-2. Considering the lack of high annual precipitation, we conclude that DP-5 treatment was the best drip irrigation system in the mountain of northern Shaanxi.

CropSyst (Cropping Systems Simulation) is used as an analytic tool for studying irrigation water management to increase wheat productivity. Therefore, two field experiments were conducted to 1) calibrate CropSyst model for wheat grown under sprinkler and drip irrigation systems, 2) to use the simulation results to analyse the relationship between applied irrigation amount and the resulted yield and 3) to simulate the effect of saving irrigation water on wheat yield. Drip irrigation system in three treatments (100%, 75% and 50% of crop evapotranspiration – ETc) and under sprinkler irrigation system in five treatments (100%, 80%, 60%, 40%, and 20% of ETc) were imposed on these experiments. Results using CropSyst calibration revealed-that results of using CropSyst calibration revealed that the model was able to predict wheat grain and biological yield, with high degree of accuracy. Using 100% ETc under drip system resulted in very low water stress index (WSI = 0.008), whereas using 100% ETc sprinkler system resulted in WSI = 0.1, which proved that application of 100% ETc enough to ensure high yield. The rest of deficit irrigation treatments resulted in high yield losses. Simulation of application of 90% ETc not only reduced yield losses to either irrigation system, but also increased land and water productivity. Thus, it can be recommended to apply irrigation water to wheat equal to 90% ETc to save on the applied water and increase water productivity.

This study was carried out to evaluate the performance of drip irrigation systems on the production of okra (Hibiscus esculentus) in southwestern, Nigeria. Application of water to crops in an area of scarcity of water is very important to meet the food demand of the ever-increasing population and modified irrigation techniques that can assist the okra farmers to have affordable irrigation systems that will get them great yields at the end of the season was evaluated in this paper. A field experiment was conducted at the Teaching and Research farm of Agricultural and Bio-Environmental Engineering Department, School of Engineering Technology, The Federal Polytechnic, Ado, Ekiti - State, Nigeria. The field area of 150 mby 400 m was properly cleared, stumped, ploughed and harrowed. The topography of the land was flat with its suitable soil structure, texture, retention capacity and loamy clay soil. The cultivated area of land was divided into three and on each experimental plot, high yield and disease resistant okra variety seeds obtained from a research institute (IITA) were carefully selected and planted at a regular interval of 0.6 m. Drip laterals were laid in between rows of okra plants with inline drippers at a spacing of 20 cm. The parameters measured include okra seed germination, plant height, stem girth, number of leaves and yield production. The study also includes soil properties, crop water requirement and crop water use efficiency. There were no significant difference in the okra agronomic parameters at each experimental plots under drip irrigation system. The water applied to crop was greater than the actual crop water requirement and the efficiency of the drip irrigation was 68.5%. There is high in seed germination percentage in with 3.5%, 3.6% and 3.8% at each experimental plot respectively. The selected okra agronomic parameters showed that okra performed very well under drip irrigation systems. Based on the results, water application through drip irrigation has a positive impact on growth and vegetative development of okra.

This experiment was carried out during two successive crop cycles of 2009/2010 (first ratoon plant) and 2010/2011(second ratoon plant) on Williams Ziv banana (Giant Cavendish AAA subgroup) grown in sandy soil to determine the optimum water requirement under two irrigation systems (drip and minisprinkler systems). Four rates of water (7000, 8750, 10500 and 12250 m3/Fed./year) and the plants were fertilized with organic cattle at the rate of 150 m3/Fed.year. Results show that: Growth parameters of plant i.e. pseudostem height, circumference, in Dec. number of green leaves and assimilation area at bunch shooting stage significantly increased by increasing the amount of applied water. Drip irrigation gave the highest values for the two above characters compared with minisprinkler system. Time of flowering, harvesting and growth cycle of plants tended to decrease as irrigation water was increase. Drip system shortened the growth cycle duration of Williams Ziv binan. The highest yield per fed., average bunch and finger weight and fruit were achieved from Williams Ziv banana plants received of water 8750 m3/Fed./year under drip irrigation system. Water utilization efficiency (WUE) was affected with the amount of water and worked irrigation system. The better value of WUE (4.05 &3.47 Kg.fruit / one m3 water) was obtained from plants received 8750 m3/Fed./year water under drip irrigation system. Adding organic manure had a favorable results on growth might be related to the improvement on the physical, chemical and biological properties of the soil which increase the availability water and nutrients for plants. Under similar condition it is a recommend for Williams Ziv banana growers to apply of water 8750 m3/Fed./year under drip irrigation in sandy soil for the promising yield of good fruit quality, the following excretion water irrigation program could be suggested in Jan. 250 m3 water / Fed, Feb. 312.2 m3 water / Fed, Mar. 562.5 m3 water / Fed, April 750 m3 water / Fed, May 812.5 m3 water / Fed ,Jun. 937.5 m3 water / Fed , July 1125 m3 water / Fed, Aug. 1125 m3 water / Fed, Sep. 937.5 m3 water / Fed., Oct. 875 m3 water / Fed., Nov. 625 m3 water / Fed and Dec. 437.5 m3 water / Fed.