Performance of Lentil as Affected by Reduced Tillage and Mechanical Seeding

Abstract

Generally, lentil seeds are sown following the traditional farming practice with 3-4 numbers of ploughing combined with broadcasting method in lentil growing countries. This is time consuming and costly. The objective of this study was to evaluate the lentil performance as affected by different mechanical seeding system as well as seeding device. There were seven different treatments of which two tillage systems like i) broadcasting after4 times tillage (CT) and ii) broadcasting after tillage with two wheeler driven High Speed Rotary Tiller (HSRT), and five direct mechanical seeding systems like TT+BP =one tillage + bed planting seeding (BP+Pl), TBP =Direct bed planting seeding (BP), TPTOS =Two wheeler operated Seeder (PTOS), TST = Strip tillage seeding (ST) and TZ =Zero tillage seeding (Z). The experiment was carried out by a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. From the results it was revealed that yield was increased from0.56 % to 10.42% in mechanical seeding system than CT. The findings also demonstrated that BP increased yield of about 10.42% with 49.31% of lower fuel consumption which saved 48.1% time compared to CT. The HSRT gave numerically higher yield compare to ST than CT but lower than BP, BP+Pl and PTOS. Zero tillage seeding system gave the minimum seed yield compare to others which was 9.67% and 19% lower than that of CT and BP, respectively. In mechanical seeding systems, bed planting exhibited higher root volume and density compare to that of others, but lower to CT and HSRT.
 SAARC J. Agri., 18(1): 51-60 (2020)

Effect of Tillage and Weed Management Practices on Dry Matter, Yield and Nutrient Uptake by Plant and Depletion by Weed in Lentil Crop (Lens culinaris M.)

“…The lower in yield under zero-tillage may be due to greater weed infestation and bulk density, which negatively affect the uptake of nutrients and water. Zaman and Islam (2020) reported that zero tillage decreased by 9.67 % seed yield compared to conventional tillage [10].…”

Effects of row spacing on different lentil varieties under strip tillage seeding system

“…Strip tillage technologies are more viable in drought stress areas where seeding operations and initial plant establishment can be carried out with residual soil moisture available immediately after monsoon rice harvest (Bell and Johansen, 2009). Many research reports suggest that strip tillage lentil cultivation is possible (Zaman et al, 2019 and2020). Lentils are placed in first position according to area coverage (40% of total pulse area) and production (45% of total pulse production).…”