Hostname: page-component-745bb68f8f-s22k5 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2025-01-27T02:39:10.917Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

MECHANISED MINIMUM SOIL DISTURBANCE ESTABLISHMENT AND YIELD OF DIVERSE CROPS IN PADDY FIELDS USING A TWO-WHEEL TRACTOR-MOUNTED PLANTER SUITABLE FOR SMALLHOLDER CROPPING

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 July 2017

R. W. BELL ,
M. E. HAQUE ,
C. JOHANSEN ,
W. VANCE ,
M. E. KABIR ,
M. A. MUSA ,
M. N. N. MIA ,
M. G. NEOGI  and
M. A. ISLAM
R. W. BELL*
Affiliation:
School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia
M. E. HAQUE
Affiliation:
Murdoch University and Conservation Agriculture Project, 2nd Floor, House 4/C, Road 7B Sector 9, Uttara, Dhaka, Bangladesh
C. JOHANSEN
Affiliation:
Consultant, 15 Westgate Court, Leeming, WA 6149, Australia
W. VANCE
Affiliation:
School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia
M. E. KABIR
Affiliation:
School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia Agrotechnology Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna 9208, Bangladesh
M. A. MUSA
Affiliation:
PROVA, Upashahar, Rajshahi, Bangladesh
M. N. N. MIA
Affiliation:
Murdoch University and Conservation Agriculture Project, 2nd Floor, House 4/C, Road 7B Sector 9, Uttara, Dhaka, Bangladesh
M. G. NEOGI
Affiliation:
RDRS, Jail Road, Rangpur, Bangladesh
M. A. ISLAM
Affiliation:
School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia Pulse Research Centre, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Ishurdi, Pabna, Bangladesh
*
¶¶Corresponding author. Email: [email protected]
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Summary

Shortages of hired labour are leading to greater interest in mechanisation for crop establishment in smallholder agriculture. Due to small field sizes, mechanised planters mounted on four-wheel tractors are not a suitable technology. The Versatile Multi-crop Planter (VMP) was developed for zero tillage (ZT), strip planting (SP) or single pass shallow tillage (SPST) on flat land and for forming and planting on tops of beds, each in a single pass operation, when mounted on a two-wheel tractor (2WT). The aim of the present study was to evaluate the field performance of the VMP in comparison to conventional broadcast seeding and full rotary tillage (2 to 4 passes; called CT) for establishing chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.), jute (Corchorus olitorius L.), lentil (Lens culinaris Medikus), maize (Zea mays L.), mung bean (Vigna radiata L. R. Wilczek), rice (Oryza sativa L.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in 15 locations of Bangladesh. Plant populations emerging from all single pass operations viz. SP, ZT, and bed planting (BP) were generally satisfactory and in 12 out of 15 experiments plant populations after SP were similar to or greater than after CT. In addition, SP gave comparable or greater plant populations than SPST and BP planting methods. Overall, the SP planting achieved comparable yields and lower costs of establishment than CT. We conclude that effective and reliable planters are now available for sowing a range of crop species on small fields with minimum soil disturbance. This opens up realistic options for the development of mechanised conservation agriculture suited to small field sizes.

Type
Research Article
Information
Experimental Agriculture , Volume 54 , Issue 5 , October 2018 , pp. 755 - 773
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2017 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

Ali, M. Y., Ahmed, S., Johansen, C., Harris, D. and Rao, J. (2007). Root traits of different crops under rainfed conditions in the High Barind Tract of Bangladesh. Journal of Plant Nutrition and Soil Science 170:296–302.Google Scholar
Anonymous. (2017). Available at: https://en.climate-data.org/location/ accessed on: 4 March, 2017.Google Scholar
Baker, C. J. and Saxton, K. E. (2007a). Seed depth, placement and metering. In No-tillage Seeding in Conservation Agriculture, 2nd edn, 99–117 (Eds Baker, C. J. and Saxton, K. E.). Rome, Italy: CAB International and FAO.Google Scholar
Baker, C. J. and Saxton, K. E. (Eds.) (2007b). No-tillage Seeding in Conservation Agriculture, 2nd edn., 326. Rome, Italy: CAB International and FAO. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).Google Scholar
Baker, C. J. and Saxton, K. E. (2007c). The ‘what’ and ‘why’ of no-tillage farming. In No-tillage Seeding in Conservation Agriculture, 2nd ed., 1–10 (Eds. Baker, C. J., Saxton, K. E., Ritchie, W. R., Chamen, W. C. T., Reicosky, D. C., Ribeiro, M. F. S., Justice, S. E. and Hobbs, P. R.). Rome, Italy: FAO and CAB International.Google Scholar
Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS). (2009). Statistical Year Book of Bangladesh. Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics, Statistics Division, Ministry Planning, Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh.Google Scholar
Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) (2013). Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics, Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh. Parishakhan Bhaban, Dhaka, Bangladesh. Available at: http://www.bbs.gov.bd/WebTestApplication/userfiles/Image/Agriculture/wheat2013-14.pdf, accessed on: 25 January, 2016.Google Scholar
Bell, R. W., Johansen, C., Haque, M. E., Musa, A. M. and Hossain, M. (2013). Addressing Constraints to Pulses in Cereals-Based Cropping Systems, with Particular Reference to Poverty Alleviation in North-Western Bangladesh. Final Report. ACIAR, Canberra, Australia.Google Scholar
Brammer, H. (1996). The Geography of the Soils of Bangladesh. Dhaka: University Press Limited.Google Scholar
Campbell, B. D., McDonald, J. H. and Baker, C. J. (1985). A mechanism to regulate winged coulter depth and overdrilled seed spacing in field experiments. New Zealand Journal of Experimental Agriculture 13:175–179.Google Scholar
Derpsch, R., Friedrich, T., Kassam, A. and Hongwen, L. (2010). Current status of adoption of no-till farming in the world and some of its main benefits. International Journal of Agricultural and Biological Engineering 3:1–25.Google Scholar
Erenstein, O. and Laxmi, V. (2008). Zero tillage impacts in India's rice–wheat systems: A review. Soil and Tillage Research 100:1–14.Google Scholar
Feng, W., Li, S. Y., Wang, Y. H., Kang, G. Z., Duan, J. Z. and Guo, T. C. (2015). Effects of spacing intervals on the ageing process and grain yield in winter wheat under wide bed planting methods. Shengtai Xuebao/Acta Ecologica Sinica 35:2686–2694.Google Scholar
Gathala, M. K., Timsina, J., Islam, M. S., Rahman, M. M., Hossain, M. I., Harun-Ar-Rashid, M., Ghosh, A. K., Krupnik, T. J., Tiwari, T. P. and McDonald, A. (2015). Conservation agriculture based tillage and crop establishment options can maintain farmers’ yields and increase profits in South Asia's rice–maize systems: Evidence from Bangladesh. Field Crops Research 172:85–98.Google Scholar
Haque, M. E., Bell, R. W., Islam, A. K. M. S., Sayre, K. and Hossain, M. M. (2011). Versatile multi-crop planter for two-wheel tractors: An innovative option for smallholders. In Resilient Food Systems for a Changing World. Proceedings of the 5th World Congress on Conservation Agricultur, 102–103. WCCA/FSD, Brisbane, Australia.Google Scholar
Haque, M. E., Bell, R. W., Islam, A. K. M. S., Sayre, K. D. and Hossain, M. M. (2018). An innovative versatile multi-crop planter for crop establishment using two-wheel tractors. Agricultural Mechanization in Asia, Africa and Latin America (accepted for publication).Google Scholar
Haque, M. E., Bell, R. W., Islam, M. A. and Rahman, M. A. (2016b). Minimum tillage unpuddled transplanting: An alternative crop establishment strategy for rice in conservation agriculture cropping systems. Field Crops Research 185:31–39. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.fcr.2015.10.018.Google Scholar
Haque, M. E., Bell, R. W., Jahiruddin, M., Vance, W., Islam, M. A. and Salahin, N. (2014). Residue handling capacity of the versatile multi-crop planter for two-wheel tractors. In Proceedings of the Conference on Conservation Agriculture for Smallholders in Asia and Africa, 13–14 (Eds W. H. Vance, R. W. Bell and M. E. Haque). Mymensingh, Bangladesh: Bangladesh Agricultural University. Published as an E-book. http://researchrepository.murdoch.edu.au/26081/Google Scholar
Haque, M. E., Bell, R. W., Kassam, A. and Mia, M. N. N. (2016a). Versatile strip seed drill: A 2-Wheel tractor-based option for smallholders to implement conservation agriculture in Asia and Africa. Environments 3:1–13. http://dx.doi:10.3390/environments3010001.Google Scholar
Haque, M. E., Elahi, N. E., Waddington, S. R., Sarker, Z. I. and Sarker, N. R. (2006). Maize Production and Diversified Uses Including Fodder, 2nd edn., 31. Mexico: International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT); Dhaka, Bangladesh: Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute and Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute.Google Scholar
Haque, M. E., Esdaile, R. J., Kabir, E., Vance, W., Bell, R. W., Musa, M. A., Shahidullah, A. K. M., Maruffuzaman, M. and Johansen, C. (2010). Minimum-tillage, mechanized sowing of pulses with two-wheel tractors. In Proc. Int. Conf. 19th World Congress of Soil Science: Soil Solutions for a Changing World, 156–159 (Ed Gilkes, R. J.). Brisbane: Australia Australian Society of Soils Science.Google Scholar
Haque, M. E., Meisner, C. A., Hossain, I., Justice, C. and Sayre, K. (2004). Two-wheel tractor operated seed drill: A viable crop establishment and resource conservation option. In Proceedings, 2004 CIGR International Conference in Beijing, 203–209 (Eds Zhicai, W., Huanwen, G., Anning, L. and Hongwen, L.). Beijing China: China Agricultural Science and Technology Press.Google Scholar
Heege, H. J. (1993). Seeding methods performance for cereals, rape and beans. Transactions of the American Society of Agricultural Engineers 36:653–661.Google Scholar
Hobbs, P. R. and Morris, M. (1996). Meeting South Asia's Future Food Requirements from Rice–Wheat Cropping Systems: Priority Issues Facing Researchers in the Post Green Revolution Era. NRG Paper 96-01. Mexico: CIMMYT.Google Scholar
Hossain, M. I., Meisner, C. A., Rashid, M. H., Justice, S. E., Sayre, K. D. and Haque, M. E. (2004). Power tiller operated bed planter for improved crop establishment and yields for small landholders. In Proceedings, 2004 CIGR International Conference in Beijing, 433–436 (Eds W. Zhicai, G. Huanwen, L. Anning and L. Hongwen). Beijing China: China Agricultural Science and Technology Press.Google Scholar
Hunt, D. (1973). Farm Power and Machinery Management, Laboratory Manual and Work Book. Ames, Iowa: Iowa State University Press.Google Scholar
Islam, A. K. M. S, Haque, M. E., Hossain, M. M., Saleque, M. A. and Bell, R. W. (2010). Water and fuel saving technologies: Unpuddled bed and strip tillage for wet season rice cultivation in Bangladesh. In Proc. Int. Conf. 19th World Congress of Soil Science, Soil Solutions for a Changing World, 169–172 (Ed Gilkes, R. J.). Brisbane: Australia Australian Society of Soils Science.Google Scholar
Islam, A. K. M. S., Haque, M. E., Hossain, M. M., Saleque, M. A. and Bell, R. W. (2011). Evaluation of versatile multi-crop planter to establish the sprouted direct seeded rice. In Resilient Food Systems for a Changing World. Proceedings of the 5th World Congress on Conservation Agriculture, 376–377. WCCA/FSD, Brisbane, Australia.Google Scholar
Johansen, C. J., Haque, M. E., Bell, R. W., Thierfelder, C. and Esdaile, R. J. (2012). Conservation agriculture for small holder rainfed farming: Opportunities and constraints of new mechanized seeding systems. Field Crops Research 132:18–32.Google Scholar
Johansen, C., Bakr, M. A., Sirajul Islam, M., Mondal, N. A., Afzal, A., MacLeod, W. J., Pande, S. and Siddique, K. H. M. (2008a). Integrated crop management of chickpea in environments of Bangladesh prone to Botrytis grey mould. Field Crops Research 108:238–249. doi:10.1016/j.fcr.2011.11.026Google Scholar
Johansen, C., Musa, A. M., Harris, D., Islam, M. S. and Ali, M. O. (2008b). Integration of chickpea and other rabi crops into rainfed rice-based systems of the High Barind Tract. In Improving Agricultural Productivity in Rice-Based Systems of the High Barind Tract of Bangladesh, 135–146 (Eds Riches, C. R., Harris, D., Johnson, D. E. and Hardy, B.). Los Banos, Phillipines: International Rice Research Institute.Google Scholar
Johansen, C., Musa, Abu M., Kumar Rao, J. V. D. K., Harris, D., Ali, M. Yusuf, Shahidullah, A. K. M. and Lauren, J. G. (2007). Correcting molybdenum deficiency of chickpea in the High Barind Tract of Bangladesh. Journal of Plant Nutrition and Soil Science 170:752–761. doi: 10.1002/jpln.200700249Google Scholar
Kamruzzaman, M., Fakhrul Islam, S. M., Begum, M. A. A., Shiblee, S. M. A., Kibria, M. G. and Ray, S. K. (2001). Adoption level of wheat technology and the grower's knowledge gap in Bangladesh. Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences 4:1–6.Google Scholar
Krupnik, T. J., Santos Valle, S., McDonald, A. J., Justice, S., Hossain, I. and Gathala, M. K. (2013). Made in Bangladesh: Scale-Appropriate Machinery for Agricultural Resource Conservation. Mexico, D.F.: CIMMYT.Google Scholar
Lal, R. (2009). Soils and food sufficiency. A review. Agronomy for Sustainable Development 29:113–133Google Scholar
Mazid, M. A, Bhuiyan, S. I., Mannan, M. A. and Wade, L. J. (2002). Dry-seeded rice for enhanced productivity of rainfed drought-prone lands: Lessons from Bangladesh and the Philippines. In Direct Seeding in Asian Rice Systems: Strategic Research Issues and Opportunities, 185–201 (Eds Pandey, S., Mortimer, M., Wade, L. J., Tuong, T. P. and Hardy, B.). Manila, Philippines: International Rice Research Institute.Google Scholar
Miah, M. A. M., Moniruzzaman, Hossain S., Duxbury, J. M. and Lauren, J. G. (2014). Adoption and impact of the raised bed technology in Rajshahi District of Bangladesh. In Proceedings of the Conference on Conservation Agriculture for Smallholders in Asia and Africa, 150–151 (Eds W. H. Vance, R. W. Bell and M. E. Haque). Mymensingh, Bangladesh: Bangladesh Agricultural University. Published as an E-book. http://researchrepository.murdoch.edu.au/26081/Google Scholar
Miah, M. M. A., Haque, M. E., Baksh, M. and Hossain, M. I. (2010). Economic analysis of power tiller operated seeder operation at farm level. Journal of Agricultural Engineering 38/AE, 1:19–24.Google Scholar
Michael, A. M. and Ojha, T. P. (1978). Principle of Agricultural Engineering, vol. I. New Delhi: Jain Brothers.Google Scholar
Musa, A. M., Harris, D., Johansen, C. and Kumar, J. (2001). Short duration chickpea to replace fallow after aman rice: The role of on-farm seed priming in the High Barind Tract of Bangladesh. Experimental Agriculture 37:509–521.Google Scholar
Rahman, S. and Salim, R. (2013). Six decades of total factor productivity change and sources of growth in Bangladesh agriculture (1948–2008). Journal of Agricultural Economics 64:275–294. doi: 10.1111/1477-9552.12009Google Scholar
Roy, K. C., Haque, M. E., Justice, S. E., Hossain, M. I. and Meisner, C. A. (2009). Development of tillage machinery for conservation agriculture in Bangladesh. Agricultural Mechanization in Asia, Africa and Latin America 40:58–64.Google Scholar
Rupela, O. P. (1990). A visual rating system for nodulation of chickpea. International Chickpea Newsletter No. 22:22–25.Google Scholar
Salahin, N., Jahiruddin, M., Bell, R.W., Haque, E. and Alam, M. K. (2014). Effects of minimum tillage practices and crop residue retention on soil properties and crop yields under a rice-based cropping system. In Proceedings of the Conference on Conservation Agriculture for Smallholders in Asia and Africa, 133–134 (Eds Vance, W. H., Bell, R. W. and Haque, M. E.). Bangladesh: Mymensingh.Google Scholar
Sarker, A., Bakr, M. A., Afzal, M. A., Erskine, W., Rahman, M. M. and Saxena, M. C. (2004). Lentil Improvement in Bangladesh. In Asia-Pacific Association of Agricultural Research Institutions. Aleppo, Syria: ICARDA.Google Scholar
Saxena, N. P. (1987). Screening for adaption to drought: Case studies with chickpea and pigeonpea. In Adaption of Chickpea and Pigeonpea to Abiotic Stresses, Proceedings of the Consultants' Workshop, 19–21 December 1984, 63–75 (Eds Saxena, N. P. and Johansen, C.). Patancheru, India: ICRISAT.Google Scholar
Sayre, K. D. (1998). Ensuring the Use of Sustainable Crop Management Strategies by Small Wheat Farmers in the 21st Century. Wheat Special Report No. 48. Mexico, D.F.: CIMMYT.Google Scholar
Singh, G. and Mani, I. (2006). Influence of Legislation/Subsidies to Help Agriculture and/or Agricultural Mechanization on the Market of Agricultural Machinery in India. Available at: http://www.clubofbologna.org/ew/documents/The%20case%20of%20India.pdf.Google Scholar
Vance, W. H., Bell, R. W., Johansen, C. J., Haque, M. E., Musa, M. A., Shahidullah, A. K. M. and Mia, N. N. (2014). Optimum time of sowing for rainfed winter chickpea with one-pass mechanised row-sowing: An example for small-holder farms in north-west Bangladesh. Crop and Pasture Science 65:602–613. doi:10.1071/CP13331.Google Scholar
Villaseñor-Mir, E. (2008). Nitrogen management and wheat genotype performance in a planting system on narrow raised beds. Cereal Research Communications 36:343–352. doi:10.1556/CRC.36.2008.2.14.Google Scholar
Wohab, M. A., Roy, K. C., Haque, M. E. and Amin, M. N. (2007). Adaption of minimum tillage seeder as high speed rotary tiller for upland farming. Bangladesh Journal of Agricultural Research 31:525–531.Google Scholar
Supplementary material: File

Bell supplementary material S1

Bell supplementary material

Download Bell supplementary material S1(File)
File 114.9 KB
Supplementary material: File

Bell supplementary material S2

Bell supplementary material

Download Bell supplementary material S2(File)
File 48.4 KB