Performance Evaluation of Zero-Till Ferti-Seed Drill in Comparison to Conventional and Reduced Tillage Methods of Wheat Crop on the Same Day

Rice–wheat cropping system is very common in India. It contributes to over 70% of total food grain production in the country with an area of 12 M ha under this cropping system. However, it is estimated that under rice and wheat crops separately the area is 42.31 and 22.98 M ha respectively. Looking to the above facts a study at farmer’s field of Ambedkar Nagar district was under taken to evaluate the performance of zero-till seed cum ferti-drill along with other system of wheat seeding. The zero-tillage technique may be adopted successfully for seeding to grow wheat after rice by using zero-till ferti seeddrill (ZTFDS) developed at GBPUA&T, Pantnagar and now manufactured commercial. Although this method of wheat seeding using zero-till seed cum ferti drill is becoming very popular in Haryana and Punjab states but it is not popular in U. P. particularly in central Uttar Pradesh. The zero-tillage sowing was found to be most time saving (88%) and energy efficient (79%) as compared to conventional method of sowing. Wheat crop can be sown 10-15 days early as compared to conventional method of sowing. This will result in timely sowing of wheat crop and increase in yield. In zero-till ferti seed-drill (T4) System the average cost of irrigation 2592.0 Rs/ha which was 667.5 Rs/ha lesser in comparison to conventional system and gives 21% saving. The zero-till ferti-seed drill work satisfactorily and gaves no trouble in the field while operating. It was observed that zero-till ferti seed-drill system was found an acceptable machine by the farmers of district Ambedkar Nagar (U. P.) because the zero-till ferti seed-drill system gives highest benefit cost ratio (1.76) in comparison to conventional system.