Evaluation of a Versatile Multi-Crop Planter to Establish Sprouted Direct-Seeded Rice

Abstract

Mechanization is rapidly being taken up by smallholders in South Asia, but there are still few options for mechanized planting, especially for the adoption of conservation agriculture (CA). A Versatile Multi-crop Planter (VMP) was recently developed for mechanized planting when attached to a 12-16 hp two-wheel tractor (2-WT), but its performance for crop establishment still needs more evaluation. This experiment was conducted to estimate the damage of radicle and plumule of sprouted seeds during mechanized sowing. The seed treatments were: dry seed (T1); soaking overnight (T2); soaking overnight and 24 hours incubation (T3); soaking overnight and 48 hours incubation (T4); and soaking overnight and 72 hours incubation (T5). The fluted type seed meter was used to dispense incubated seed in strip tillage condition in dry soil. Plumule and radicle were not broken and whole seed was also not damaged. Except in Aman season, radicle length of 72 hrs incubate seed was longer than others. In some cases, tip of radicle was broken but total radicle was not detached from the seed during dispensing through the fluted type seed meter. Seedling emergence was not significantly affected by incubation although, same seed rate was used in both seasons. Tiller mortality was higher in Aman season compared to aus season. At maturity, total tiller and effective tiller was not significantly affected by incubation period. In aus season, incubation period under investigation had shown a wide range of variability among them in respect of grain yield but in Aman season, no significant variation was observed on grain yield. Sprouted seed has no effect on the crop duration but takes longer time to sprout. Partly broken plumule in Aman season has no effect on grain yield. Sprouted seed has no yield advantage over non-sprouted seed indicating that flute type seed meter safely dispensed sprouted seed.