scholarly journals Optimizing Rotavator Design Towards Enhancing Agricultural Crop Productivity

By continuous and rapid growth in industrialization as well as population, the agricultural lands are also becoming less and less continuously day by day which results in increase in the population of small land holders. In addition to this, because of continuous decreasing production the youth of the villages are also migrating in big cities for the employment, resulting decreasing manpower essential to perform various seedbed operations in the villages. Hence, it is the need of time for small farmers having small agricultural land and having less crop production to introduce the cost-effective farm mechanization so that they can improve production rate. Rotavator is the best option available to achieve this landmark as it is already proved that seedbed prepared by using rotavator gives highest benefit to cost ratio. For this experimental study the whole land of 9 acre area is divided into 18 plots of equal size in area. The combination of method of seedbed preparation and use of fertilizers were the preliminary criteria. The categories of fertilizer according to quantity are discussed earlier which are 50kg, 35kg and 65kg per acre respectively. The quantities of organic fertilizer used are 45kg and 60kg per acre of agricultural land for both seedbeds which are prepared manually and by using rotavator. The highest production of Pigeon Pea was obtained of 814kg was from the plot whose seedbed is prepared by using agricultural machine called rotavator and organic fertilizer; next highest production is obtained of 802 kg from the plot whose seedbed is prepared by using rotavator and the fertilizer used was chemical fertilizer. The minimum production of Pigeon Pea which is 690 kg was obtained in the plot whose seedbed was prepared manually and chemical fertilizer was used.

2021 ◽  
Vol 04 (04) ◽  
pp. 146-153
Author(s):  
Desta Bati Nuno ◽  
◽  
Murad Mohammed Baker ◽  

The agricultural crop is a backbone in Ethiopia since the country's economy is mainly dependent on agriculture, which is dominated by subsistence smallholder farmers who are partially integrated into the market. The objective of this study was to identify the determinants of crop productivity among smallholder farmers in Haramaya distinct, Eastern Ethiopia. A two-stage random sampling procedure was employed to detect a sample containing 260 smallholder households in the study area. Data was collected through semi-structured questionnaire schedules administered to the selected household farmers. The features of smallholder farmers were analyzed through descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression models. The results indicated that the length of farming experience of the household head, number of economically active members in family, amount of organic fertilizer applied, irrigated land area, and soil fertility status of farmland were the significant determinants of agricultural crop productivity. To increase the production and productivity of smallholder farms, the farmers were provided with land irrigation. Based on these findings, the study recommends the provision of organic fertilizer to farmers. Policies should also target supplying improved technology and improved seed to enhance agricultural crop production in Ethiopia.


Author(s):  
Shinta Lestari Santosa ◽  
I Nyoman Rai ◽  
Wayan Diara

Vegetable cultivation is livelihoods for side Lake Batur communities, Kintamani, Bangli. Hilly natural conditions with a soil texture influenced by the eruption of Mount Batur, 900 m above sea level, and 900-3500 mm high rainfall, causing this region is very suitable for the cultivation of various vegetables, including shallot. One effort to meet the high demand for shallots is that efforts are made to improve cultivation techniques, including fertilizing to improve yields. In modern agriculture, the use of fertilizer is absolutely essential to trigger the level of crop production. The aims is to analyze the combination effect of using of inorganic fertilizer (ZA fertilizer) and organic fertilizer (compost fertilizer) on shallot vegetable cultivation systems on the content of pollutants, N nutrients and onion crop yields on the shores of Lake Batur, Kintamani District, Bangli Regency. The study using RBD with two factors where factor I: provision of organic fertilizer is leaf compost made aerobically (O), consisted of 3 levels, namely: O0 = 0*, O1 = 5* and O2 = 10*and factor II: the application of inorganic fertilizer namely ZA (S) fertilizer, consisted of 3 levels, namely: S0 = 0**, S1 = 50** and S2  = 100**, each repeated 3 times. The parameters observed were the growth and yield of shallots as well as the content of Pb, Zn, Cu and N nutrients in the soil. The nutrient content (N) in the soil, when using chemical fertilizer ZA and compost organic is not significantly different, as well as the results of onion plants, while the content of Pb, Zn and Cu on the use of chemical fertilizer ZA and organic compost, very real different. The highest soil Pb content in S2O1 treatment is 30.07***, the highest soil Zn content in the S2O1 treatment was 28.24***, and the highest soil Cu content in the S1O2 treatment is 17.22***. *= tons/ha **= kg/ha ***= mg/kg Keywords: compost; contents Pb; Zn; Cu of soil; shallot; ZA.


Author(s):  
Anatolii Kucher ◽  
Lesia Kucher ◽  
Inna Sysoieva ◽  
Borys Pohrishchuk

Purpose. The main objective of this paper is (і) to determinate the economic loss due to crop productivity loss caused by soil erosion in Ukraine, and (іі) to present the results of the econometric modeling of soil erosion impact on the efficiency crop production at the regional and district level. Methodology / approach. This study uses the following methods: expert assessments and monographic (for the assessment of economic losses due to crop productivity loss from spreading soil erosion); graphical (for building three-dimensional graphs); econometric modeling (to develop a mathematical model of the dependence of the gross crop production and income from sales per 100 hectares from the share of eroded arable land in its total area and production costs in crop industry per 100 hectares); abstract-and-logical (for generalization of the research results). To solve the assigned tasks, linear and quadratic econometric models (production functions) were developed using a dataset (і) from 168 observations (on the example of Ukrainian regions for 2010–2016) and (ii) from 189 observations (on the example of districts of Kharkiv region for 2010–2016). This study was conducted in order to test the hypothesis that the increase in the area of eroded arable land has a negative effect on the gross output of crop production. Results. Our expert assessment of economic losses due to crop productivity loss from spread of soil erosion on agricultural land in Ukraine is 224 mln USD. The obtained results confirm the hypothesis about the negative relationship between gross crop output and the level of land erosion. The obtained data confirm that an increase in the area of eroded arable land by 1 % leads to a decrease in the gross output of crop production by 0.20 % per 100 hectares of agricultural land in total, and in the third group of the studied subjects (the share of eroded arable land in their total area is more than 50 %) – by 0.61 %, respectively. Originality / scientific novelty. For the first time, linear and nonlinear (quadratic) econometric models were developed, which made it possible to carry out quantitative assessment of the impact of the soil erosion and the financial support (production costs in crop industry) per hectare on the formation of the financial results (gross crop output and income) of business entities in Ukrainian agriculture. The provision on the economics of soil erosion was further developed in terms of expert assessment of losses from this type of degradation and confirmation of the effect of the economic law of diminishing returns, which should be taken into account when developing measures for sustainable land management. Practical value / implications. The main results of the study can be used for the development, substantiation and implementation of soil protection measures for the sustainable use of agricultural land and/or to informed decision-making at different levels of management concerning restoration of eroded land.


Author(s):  
Tchister Morrel Ebissa ◽  
Bo Yang ◽  
Yuanqing Guan ◽  
Bingchang Tan ◽  
Peizhen Chen ◽  
...  

A field experiment was conducted in Ninghe, Tianjin, China, using 15N isotope method to evaluate the application of organic fertilizer on N distribution patterns of labelled and unlabeled N fertilizer, ammonium sulfate -15N uptake by rice, N use efficiency (NUE), and the fate of (15NH4)2SO4 applied. The experiment included eight treatments: CK-N (control + no-duck), CK-D (control + ducks), CF-N (chemical fertilizer + no-ducks), CF-D (chemical fertilizer + ducks), CM-N (chemical fertilizer + organic fertilizer + no-ducks), CM-D (chemical fertilizer + organic fertilizer + ducks), CD-N (chemical fertilizer 30% off + organic fertilizer + no-ducks), and CD-D (chemical fertilizer 30% off + organic fertilizer + ducks). The results showed that the application of organic fertilizer whether CM or CD significantly increased N and P concentrations over control (CK) and chemical fertilizer (CF). Moreover, no-significant differences were found in 15N fresh grain and husk concentration. Both organs ranged of 14.2-14.4 g kg-1 and 6.2-6.3 g kg-1, respectively. N derived from the fertilizer and soil significantly affected fresh grain compared to fresh husk. However, N uptake and N use efficiency did not show any differences. We concluded that organic fertilizer has a significant influence on rice growth and promote crop productivity.


Author(s):  
Kausar Ahmed Majumder ◽  
Jasim Uddin Ahmed ◽  
Kanij Fatema

The study was conducted to assess comparative advantages of the productivity and profitability for conservation agriculture practice in Chattogram. A total of 120 farmers (60 farmers adopting conservation agriculture (CA) and 60 farmers non-adopting CA) from two districts (Feni and Noakhali) of Chattogram division were selected. Descriptive statistics like sum, averages, percentages, and ratios were calculated to evaluate the nature and extent of use of advanced machinery and fertilizer data. Farmers were categorized on the basis of farm size (small, medium and large) and selected by multistage stratified sampling. Crop productivity was measured using the Enyedi’s crop productivity index. The profitability of crop production was measured in terms of gross return, gross margin, net margin and benefit-cost ratio (BCR). The crop productivity of rice, mustard and soybean were increased by 0.18, 26, and 0.19 percent, respectively in respect to non-practicing conservation agriculture.  BCR increased by 42.43%, 40.78% and 36.61% for rice, mustard and soybean cultivation respectively with respect to the entire region for adopting conservation agriculture practice. Ultimately, the farmers who adopted conservation agriculture were gaining more profit than the farmer whose were not adopting the conservation agriculture practice. As Bangladesh is a labour intensive country and the availability of capital is short. The expense of purchasing the machines cannot be afforded by the farmers. In Feni and Noakhali are located in the coastal region. Climatic problem is another problem of the people of this area. The uses of advanced machineries are still limited. The quality of soil is decreasing day by day because of excessive use of synthetic fertilizers.


Author(s):  
Bernou Zoë van der Wiel ◽  
Jan Weijma ◽  
Corina Everarda van Middelaar ◽  
Matthias Kleinke ◽  
Cees Jan Nico Buisman ◽  
...  

AbstractRegions with intensive agriculture often encounter environmental problems caused by nutrient excess of agro-food-waste systems that have become increasingly linear over previous decades. In this study, nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K) and carbon (C) flows in the whole agro-food-waste system of district Cleves in Germany were quantified simultaneously using substance flow analysis. Moreover, nutrient use inefficiency hotspots were identified to establish options to improve nutrient self-sufficiency as a first step towards nutrient circularity. Data on mass flows and nutrient contents was acquired for the year 2016 from stakeholders, statistical databases, literature and modelling. Organic C was included for flows with potential as organic fertilizer. Results show that animal production drives the nutrient flows in the export-oriented district, with feed import, manure application and losses from housing and manure storage accounting for 40, 45 and 60% of all N, P and K flows, respectively. In particular agriculture is responsible for N losses, with 150 kg N lost ha−1 agricultural land. Crop production surplus and with that soil accumulation of P and K are 515 t and 4100 t respectively. Stoichiometry of N:P:K:C in the different organic materials does not allow direct application and meeting crop requirements without exceeding demand of especially P. Processing of biomass is therefore required. Based on mass, especially manure holds potential for processing into bio-based fertilizers. To improve nutrient cycling and soil C conservation, being an important element for a sustainable agricultural sector, local balances between crop and animal production need to be considered.


2015 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 109-114 ◽  
Author(s):  
SA Begum ◽  
MS Zaman ◽  
ASMMR Khan

Adoption of intercropping may increases crop production instead of declining trend of agricultural land in Bangladesh. Thus, a field experiment on intercropping of root crops with chilli was executed at char area of Dori Bhabkhali in Mymensingh district during October 2014 to March 2015 to find out an appropriate intercrop for cultivation with chilli for higher productivity and maximum economic return. The experiment was consisted with five crop combinations viz., sole chilli, chilli + radish, chilli+ carrot, chilli + onion and chilli + garlic. Significantly the highest yield (green chilli) was obtained with sole chilli (10.26 t ha-1). Among the intercropping treatments, the highest chilli yield (10.31 tha-1) was obtained from chilli + garlic which were close to chilli + onion whereas the lowest (7.71 tha-1) was found in chilli + radish combination. Intercropping reduced 3 to 48 % chilli yield but total productivity as expressed by chilli equivalent yield increased by 80-135% over sole chilli due to the contribution of companion crops. The highest chilli equivalent yield (25.01 t ha-1), gross return (1250500 Tk ha-1), gross margin (1133500 Tk ha-1) and marginal benefit cost ratio (8.56) were obtained from chilli + garlic combination. Considering the experimental findings, chilli + garlic might be suitable combination for higher productivity and economic return.Progressive Agriculture 26 (2): 109-114, 2015


Plants ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 1055
Author(s):  
Krishan K. Verma ◽  
Xiu-Peng Song ◽  
Dong-Mei Li ◽  
Munna Singh ◽  
Vishnu D. Rajput ◽  
...  

Abiotic stresses are the major constraints in agricultural crop production across the globe. The use of some plant–microbe interactions are established as an environment friendly way of enhancing crop productivity, and improving plant development and tolerance to abiotic stresses by direct or indirect mechanisms. Silicon (Si) can also stimulate plant growth and mitigate environmental stresses, and it is not detrimental to plants and is devoid of environmental contamination even if applied in excess quantity. In the present review, we elaborate the interactive application of Si and plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPRs) as an ecologically sound practice to increase the plant growth rate in unfavorable situations, in the presence of abiotic stresses. Experiments investigating the combined use of Si and PGPRs on plants to cope with abiotic stresses can be helpful in the future for agricultural sustainability.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Sylvia I. Murunga ◽  
Eliud N. Wafula ◽  
Joseph Sang

Opportunities for sustainable agriculture development in Kenya which heavily depends on healthy soil and soil microbial diversity can be found in the promotion of organic farming. The increasing populations, higher demands for animal and plant products, climate change impacts, and weather conditions necessitate novel ideas and technologies to try reverse the adverse effects of excessive use of inorganic fertilizers and to maximize the potential of the land. Sapropel, a promising biological deposit from freshwater lakes, has found its limelight in its use in agricultural crop production as a soil conditioner and biofertilizer. This could be an ultimate practice for sustainable food and energy production in Kenya. This review aims at presenting information in the literature about the potential use of the organic fertilizer based on sapropels in intensified crop production and their main effects on plant growth. It discusses soil fertility, the composition of sapropels, and their application and advantages in agricultural production. It is evident from the review that sapropel can be considered as a resource that is valuable with wide application possibilities in agriculture. Sapropel can present an important contribution to the solution of the conservation of the fertility of the soil for integrated nutrient management systems to maintain agricultural productivity and help in environmental conservation.


2016 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 101-112 ◽  
Author(s):  
MT Uddin ◽  
AR Dhar ◽  
MM Islam

The study was conducted to assess the impact of conservation agriculture practice on crop profitability in Bangladesh and to identify the determinants of adopting such practice. A total of 300 farmers (50 focal, 100 proximal and 150 control) from five districts (Mymensingh, Bogra, Tangail, Sherpur and Jamalpur) were selected. Focal farmers were selected purposively; and proximal and control farmers were selected randomly. Descriptive statistics like sum, averages, percentages and ratios were calculated to evaluate the socioeconomic data. Profitability of crop production was measured in terms of gross return, gross margin, net return and benefit cost ratio (BCR). Crop productivity was measured using the Enyedi’s crop productivity index. The BCR of focal, proximal and control farmers were 2.58, 2.24 and 2.18, respectively. The crop productivity of focal, proximal and control farmers were increased by 0.5, 1.1 and 1.4 percent, respectively with respect to the entire region. Educational level of household head, farm size, farm income, extension contact and farming experience were found as significant factors through logit model that affect the adoption of this practice by the farmers. Input support, motivation, training programmes and extension services by different government and non-government organizations should be properly organized and implemented to raise the consciousness and enhance the knowledge of the farmers on conservation agriculture practice.J. Bangladesh Agril. Univ. 14(1): 101-112, June 2016


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