Title: Development and evaluation of tractor operated sub soil coir pith applicator
Abstract:Subsoil mulching with coir pith is a new concept. Deep loosening of soil and placement of coir pith in the subsoil layers as mulch directly below the crop rows would improve the root zone, which would...Subsoil mulching with coir pith is a new concept. Deep loosening of soil and placement of coir pith in the subsoil layers as mulch directly below the crop rows would improve the root zone, which would not recompact during subsequent years. The unique property of coir pith to hold 7-8 times its weight in moisture helps to improve moisture status of the root zone. A prototype subsoil coir pith applicator was developed. The coir pith applicator placed the coir pith at a depth of 15 to 30 cm below ground level. This technique ensured that the coir pith filled trenches are not dispersed by subsequent ploughing, thus, preventing the dispersion and disintegration of the coir pith. The subsoil coir pith applicator was built around a chisel plough, which formed the tool for loosening the soil and also provided the frame for mounting the attachment. Coir pith was fed from a hopper through a rotary vane type feeding device and was funneled into the furrow bottom. A pair of furrow opener wings opened the furrow behind the chisel plough for placement of the subsoil mulch. The coir pith was fed by a vane type metering device rotated by a ground wheel. This arrangement ensured uniform placement of coir pith inside the furrow. The performance of the machine and the effect of subsoil mulching on crop growth was investigated in terms of soil moisture distribution, crop attributes viz., height of the plant, number of leaves, number of sympodial branches, number of lateral roots, lateral root spread length, root length, number of bolls and yield. It was observed that the subsoil mulching opened up a triangular furrow in which the coir pith was placed to a depth of 15-30 cm at an application rate of 24 t ha -1 and at row to row spacing of 0.75 m. The effect of subsoil mulching was compared with chisel ploughing and control treatments. The soil moisture at 15-30 cm under the subsurface mulched plots was significantly higher than that of the other two treatments. All the indices of plant growth viz., height of the plant, number of leaves, number of sympodial branches, number of lateral roots, lateral root spread length and root length were significantly higher under sub soiled mulched plots than that of the other two treatments. The yield of cotton in sub soiled mulched plot was 46.4 and 29.4% higher than the chiseled and control treatments. The yield of cotton in the chiseled plot was 13.2% higher than that of the control treatment.Read More
Publication Year: 2011
Publication Date: 2011-01-01
Language: en
Type: article
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