Assessment of Happy Seeder for Direct Sowing of Wheat without Burning of Rice Residue

Abstract

Air pollution from crop residue burning in India is an environmental menace that makes headlines every year – is a major ill effect of farm mechanization. Keeping the severity of the problem in view, KVK, Rohtas introduced happy seeder in Rabi 2016-17 with objective to assess its suitability for crop residue management. The intensively cultivated irrigated rice–wheat area is fundamental to employment, income and livelihoods for about three million population of the district. Happy seeder of Kamboj make, Zero-till machine of National make and local made seed drill were used for comparative study of residue management. Seed drill was used where rice residue were completely burned before sowing. Zero-till machine was used where about 50% residue was remais after buring. The significant change were observed in plant population, bundel weight and grain yield in these trials with respect to farmers practice. It is concluded that happy seeder not only improves the farmers income but also conserve the most of the production inputs. Reduction in green house gass emission, nutrient recycling, soil health improvemnt are added advantages of happy seeder technology.

Effect of Various Tillage Practices and Residue Retention on N, P and K Content in Seed and Straw of Different Wheat Varieties in Rice-wheat System

“…Rice residue is burnt in the fields for timely planting of succeeding wheat crop and secondly, Farmers think, it is the easy and cheapest option. But burning of that residue cause loss of organic matter (OM) and N, P (25%), K (21 %) , 50 percent of S, health issues, heat production, microbial loss, smog and pollution problems [5][6][7]. There is necessitate to manage paddy residue which is precious resources of nature and find a better solution, which is economical and environmentally acceptable [8].…”