Development of Wireless Technique to Regulate Seed Dropping in a Seeder for Intercropping

Although intercropping gives additional yield per unit area than sole cropping, yield may also decrease as the crops differ in their competitive abilities. To avoid competition and to accompany complimentary action between the base crop and inter crop in intercropping practise, proper crop ratio of two crops should be maintained. When sowing with available seeders crop ratio was not maintained because of non-availability of a seed hopper, handling two different varieties of seeds and the un controlled seed flow from the hopper to the seed tube when ground wheel is rotating. To look after this problem an experiment was conducted at DFMPE, AEC & RI, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Kumulur by fabricating a seed hopper consisting of two compartments and circular shaped outlet for two variety of seeds and developing an RF (radio frequency) wireless technology to control servo motor in order to restrict the seed drop from seed hopper to the seed tube even though ground wheel is in running condition. In this paper considering a seven-row seeder, the performance of a micro controller coded with appropriate programme in embedded C language which can regulate seven servo motors each at seven seed hoppers, functioning of RF transmitter sketch, functioning of RF receiver sketch, header issue & its solution, angle conversion of servo shaft and power consumption was observed and discussed. Total power required for operating RF electronic setup containing seven servomotors was recorded as 5 V 12 A. The angle of rotation of servo motor shaft was from 0º to 165º when pulse width range in micro controller was set from 0 and 2400 micro seconds. The servo did not respond in the hardware interfacing because both the libraries use timer 1 interrupt which created an error issue. In order to overcome that “Servo timer 2.h” header was issued instead of servo.h. Then sketch was compiled and was executed successfully.

Profitability of various cropping patterns among arable crop farmers in Niger State, Nigeria

Descriptive Statistics and Net Farm Income model was used to analyze data collected from 120 Arable Farmers who adopted various cropping patterns in Niger State, Nigeria. The study specifically examined the socio-economic characteristics of arable farmers, profile the cropping patterns adopted, examined the profitability and highlighted the constraints to crop production among arable farmers in the study area. Results obtained from the study show that crop farming in the area is a male dominated. The mean age of farmers was 33years, 98.3% were married, 80.8% had one form of education or the other and 68.4% adopted a three-crop mix pattern in their crop production. Two and three crop mixes enterprise were profitable than sole cropping when gross income per ha was used as an index of profitability. Profitability was higher in single crop enterprise when returns/man day was used as an index but was higher in a two and three crop mix enterprise when net returns per ha was used as a measure of profitability. Bad roads, drought, theft of farm produce, poor extension per farm advisory services and lack of credit facilities respectively were the constraint to crop production. The study concludes that mixed cropping enterprises was more profitable than sole cropping. We recommend the promotion of mixed cropping among arable farmers for increased profitability and income to farm households, that the constraints identified be addressed by all concerned authorities so as to sustain crop production, reduce food insecurity and eradicate hunger and poverty among arable farmers in the area and Nigeria as a whole.

Plantain-Tree Rubber Intercropping Systems Improved Productivity in the Tropical Humid Zone of Ghana, West Africa

A three-year field trial was conducted between 2014 and 2017 in the Ellembelle and Jomoro districts of the Western region of Ghana where rubber production is common to determine the optimum population density of plantain when grown in combination with immature rubber tree crops. The trials were arranged in a Randomized Complete Block Design with 3 replications. The treatments were sole rubber, sole plantain, and three intercrops of one row of plantain in between two rows of rubber, two rows of plantain in between two rows of rubber, and three rows of plantain in between two rows of rubber. The rubber clone used was GT1 while the variety of plantain used was false horn. The results showed that population density of plantain had significant effect on the growth of the associated rubber. Growing plantain at closer spacing of 1.5 m under the high-density plantain treatment significantly increased plantain yield compared to the other cropping systems. There was a significant positive relationship between population density of plantain and the rubber tree growth and development. The optimum population density of plantain when intercropped with rubber was 1,666/ha. The study showed intercropping was advantageous over sole cropping for both crops.

Potential of Sunflower-Legume Intercropping: A Way Forward in Sustainable Production of Sunflower in Temperate Climatic Conditions

The ongoing climate change, coupled with the transformations of cultivation practices and land use in sole crop production, may cause a significant decline in sunflower yield stability. Considering that the sunflower is the third oilseed in the world oilseed market, with 45 million tons of grain per year, and that it takes the fourth position in the vegetable oil market, the implementation of sustainable growing technology in sunflower production is a necessity. Considering the above, the goal of the research was to analyze and recommend sustainable sunflower production technology in intercropping systems. A four-year trial was conducted in Serbia’s agroecological conditions (45∘34′23.2′′ N 19∘86′18.9′′ E) using a split-plot design. Two oil-type hybrids and one confectionary-type hybrid were intercropped with common vetch, red clover, and alfalfa. Common vetch × sunflower intercropping resulted in the decrease in almost all sunflower traits. Moreover, sunflower × alfalfa intercropping proved to be the most appropriate. The yield of NS Gricko and Rimi PR were statistically on the same level with sole cropping, while alfalfa biomass had better results after alfalfa was intercropped with NS Gricko, as compared to sole cropping. In view of the prevailing belief that yields are more stable in intercropping than in sole cropping, further research is needed in this respect, in addition to further research of the time and method of sowing.

Comparative Study of Soil Properties under Gamhar (Gmelina arborea) Based Agrisilvicultural System

A two year experiment was conducted during kharif and rabi season of 2016-2017 and 2017-2018 at experimental site near Faculty of Forestry in main campus of Birsa Agricultural University, Ranchi, Jharkhand, India. Sole cropping and gamhar based agrisilviculture systems with four different intercrops (arhar, cowpea, greengram and mustard) were under investigation. To study the overall scenario of soil properties under agrisilviculture system, soil samples were analysed at different profile depths (0-15 and 15-30 cm) to measure the changes in soil properties under the influence of gamhar (Gmelina arborea) tree and intercrops grown in between. Soil pH, electrical conductivity (dsm-1), organic carbon (%), available nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (kg ha-1) were found higher at the soil depth 0-15 cm as compared to 15-30 cm due to addition of organic residue on the surface soil. Soil OC, available N, P and K in 0-15 cm as well as in 15-30 cm profile was found to be statistically significant. It showed an increase from initial value in all the treatments in 2016-17 and 2017-18. The increase was more in gamhar based agrisilviculture system than in sole tree and sole crops in both the years.

Potential of Sunflower-Legume Intercropping: A Way Forward in Sustainable Production of Sunflower in Temperate Climatic Conditions

Changing climate conditions coupled with the transformations of cultivation practices and land use in sole crop-based sunflower production may significantly decline yield stability of this oilseed crop. Given that sunflower takes the third place in the world oilseed market, with 45 million tons per year, and in the fourth place in vegetable oil production, it is necessary to adapt production technologies toward sustainable agriculture. Considering that, the goal of the research was to analyze and beneficial sustainable production technology of sunflower in intercropping systems. A four-year trial was conducted in Serbia’s agroecological rain-fed conditions (45°34’23.2"N 19°86’18.9"E) using a split-plot design. Two oil types and one confectionary sunflower hybrid were intercropped with common vetch, red clover and alfalfa. Analyses showed that intercropping of sunflower with common vetch resulted in the decrease in almost all sunflower trait values. Also, sunflower × alfalfa intercropping provided to be the most appropriate. The yield of NS Gricko and Rimi PR were statistically on the same level with sole cropping, while alfalfa biomass had better results when intercropped with NS Gricko as compared to sole cropping. Concerning the general belief that yields are more stable in intercropping than in sole crop, further research in this respect is needed, in addition to the research of time and method of sowing.

Response of maize and common bean to spatial and temporal differentiation in maize-common bean intercropping

An experiment on maize (Zea mays)-common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) intercropping was conducted for two years (2014 and 2016) at two locations in North western Ethiopia with the objective of determining the spatial arrangement and planting date of common bean. Common bean intercropped with maize at three planting dates (simultaneously with maize, at emergence and knee height of maize) in two spatial arrangements (alternate and paired arrangements).The experimental design was factotrial randomized complete block design with three replications. Sole maize and common bean were included as a check. Results revealed that the spatial and temporal differentiation significantly affect only the agronomic attributes of common bean in common bean-maize intercropping. At Adet the grain yield of common bean (1.9 t ha-1), LER (1.99) and MAI (357) in maize-common bean intercropping was higher when common bean was planted at the same time with maize in paired planting pattern. On the other hand, maximum LER (1.61) and MAI (2.83) at Finoteselam were observed when common bean was intercropped with maize at maize emergence in paired planting pattern. Simultaneous intercropping of common bean with maize gave more stable total land output yield as compared to other intercropping systems but showed high variability as compared to the sole cropping. Thus, it can be concluded that planting common bean simultaneously with maize in paired planting pattern at Adet and planting common bean at maize emergence at Finoteselam in maize-common bean intercropping gave maximum land use efficiency and profitability of the cropping system without reducing the main crop yield (maize).This research also suggested further research on the compatibility of various maize and common bean varieties in different spatial and temporal differentiation.

A Survey of Tomato Farmers and their Knowledge on Fruit Borers (Helicoverpa Armigera Mill) in Kumawu of Sekyere Kumawu and Agogo of Asante Akim North Districts in Ghana

Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) is a popular and important crop as it is consumed worldwide. It serves as a source of nutrients such as vitamins A and C. In Ghana, tomato production contributes to agricultural GDP, employment creation and foreign exchange earnings. However, tomato production is faced with challenges that hamper productivity. This has been attributed mainly to attacks by pests such as fruit borers. Therefore, this study was conducted to ascertain the characteristics of tomato farmers in Sekyere Kumawu and Asante Akim North districts in Ghana and their knowledge on fruit borers. Structured questionnaires were administered to gather data from sixty respondents who were sampled through a multistage sampling technique. Results from the survey showed male dominance in commercial tomato production in both districts with an average age of 43 years, which falls within the active working age group. Majority of the farmers indicated that they were into tomato production for commercial purposes, and practice sole cropping. More than 60% of the farmers revealed the fruit borer as a major pest causing yield losses of about 27% on average on their farms. Moreover, it was found that majority of the respondents control the fruit borer with synthetic chemicals.

Effects of Baby Corn Density on the Crop and Weed Performance under Different Maize-Soybean Intercropping Systems

This study was conducted to examine the effects of baby corn density on the crop and weed performance under two different maize-soybean intercropping systems. Treatments included four baby corn densities (D1= 138,888 plants ha-1, D2 = 111,111 plants ha-1, D3 = 92,592 plants ha-1, and D4 = 79,365 plants ha-1), and three intercropping methods (P0 = a sole cropping of baby corn, P1 = 1 row of soybean + 1 row of baby corn (density of soybean, 10 plant m-2), and P2 = 2 rows of soybean + 1 row of baby corn (density of soybean, 20 plants m-2)). Physiological characteristics and yield were measured for the baby corn and soybean. The weed species, weed frequency, and the growth of the weeds were recorded at the final harvesting time of the baby corn. The results showed that the yield of soybean and the growth of the weeds were statistically different under the different maize-soybean intercropping systems. Increasing the baby corn density increased the leaf area index, dry matter accumulation, and cob yield, but did not have a clear effect on the soybean yield under both intercropping methods. In addition, the P2 intercropping method produced significantly higher soybean yield and gave better results of weed growth reduction in comparison with the P1 intercropping method. In the P2 intercropping method, baby corn should be grown at a density of 111,111 plants ha-1 to optimize the population productivity and achieve reasonable weed control for the sustainability of agriculture.

Effect of Integrated Nutrient Management and Plant Growth Regulator on Generation of Recyclable Biomass in Coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) Based Cropping System

An experiment was conducted in the tropical coastal climate of Bhubaneswar by taking five crop combinations. Coconut was grown as main crop along with four component crops; banana, guava, pineapple and colocasia in a system. Different nutrient sources were used and crop specific growth regulators were applied at specific growth stages. The study was conducted to assess the effects of cropping system, nutrient and growth management practices on the generation of recyclable biomass from coconut as well as from the system as a whole. The biomass was calculated on the basis of dry weight of the plant products. The production of total recyclable biomass was found highest (18.5 t/ha) in the cropping system where the plants were managed with 50 % RDF+ 50 % N (organic recycling with vermicompost + in situ green manuring + vermicompost wash) with biofertilizers and plant growth regulators (PGRs). The sole cropping of coconut was found to have lowest production of the same. The cropping system which is managed with fully organic sources of nutrient without any growth regulator was found least among all other systems except the sole cropping. The incorporation of intercrop has increseaed the amount of plant recyclable biomass to the extent of double than the coconut.