Suitability of Rice Transplanters and Weeders in Different Soil Types

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate the performance of existing models of rice transplanters in different soil types, to evaluate the performance of existing models of power weeder in different soil types, and to reduce the cost of cultivation and enhance the rice production and profitability.
 Study design: Strip plot design with different soil types as main-plot treatments(3),existing models of rice transplanter(5)  as sub-plot treatment and existing models of power weeder(3) as sub-sub-plot treatments.
 Place and duration: Experiments were conducted in six locations of delta zones  of Tamil Nadu representing three soil types’ viz., sandy clay loam, sandy loam, and clay loam during samba season(2019 & 2020) with  the medium duration rice variety ‘TKM 13.
 Methodology: Transplanter machine related parameters of actual field efficiency, theoretical capacity and field efficiency and  weeder  machine related parameters of field capacity and field efficiency and weed control efficiency was observed in different soil types. Suitability of transplanter and weeder combination on rice growth and yield parameters and yield, reduction of cost of cultivation and increase in net return and net income were observed and calculated.
 Results: Among growth and yield parameters, the 6 row yanmar transplanter along with conoweeding combination were recorded higher tillers and productive tillers (16.28 &20.65/hill), number of filled grains (113&145/panicle) seed yield (5922 &5733kg/ha) respectively in sandy clay loam and sandy loam soil.  Similarly, higher net return(Rs.70195/ha& Rs.55343/ha)) and BCR(2.62& BCR(2.28) in sandy clay loam  and  sandy loam soil respectively. Furthermore, they achieved additional grain yield of 1769 kg/ha and 1873 kg/ha with the additional net profit of Rs.37027/ha& Rs.34813/ha in sandy clay loam and sandy loam soil respectively. Yanmar 8 row transplanter along with single row power weeder combination were recorded higher productive tillers (15.25/hill), filled grains(122/panicle)  and seed yield (5506 kg/ha)  with higher net return (Rs.58175/ha) and BCR(2.32) in clay  loam soil. Furthermore, they achieved with an additional grain yield of 1121 kg/ha with additional net profit of Rs.24618/ha and net income change of Rs.24618/ha  in clay loam soil compared to farmers practice.
 Conclusion: Cultivation of rice by using 6 row yanmar transplanter and weeding by cono weeder along with agronomic practices is important to achieve higher yield performance and net return and BCR in sandy clay loam soil and sandy loam soil.  Cultivation of rice by using 8 row Yanmar transplanter for transplanting and single row power weeder for weeding operation along with recommended agronomic practices is important to achieve higher yield performance and net return and BCR in clay loam soil.