Field Performance Evaluation of Push Type Prilled Urea Applicator in Rice Cultivation

Abstract

BRRI prilled urea applicator was designed and developed to facilitate deep placement of regular urea. Experiments were conducted to evaluate the performance of BRRI prilled urea applicator in the farmers' fields at Gosaidanga in Shailkupa upazila under Jhenaidah district and at Rashidpur in Mithapukur upazila under Rangpur district during Boro 2015 season. Three treatments: hand broadcasting of urea (recommended dose) (HB), BRRI prilled urea applicator (70% of the recommended dose) (PUA) and BRRI USG applicator (70% of the recommended dose) (USGA) were compared in the experiments. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design (RCBD) and replicated in four farmers' plots in each location using BRRI dhan28 as test crop both the locations. Prior to field experiment, prilled urea applicator was calibrated and urea dispensed was set to 14 gm in one revolution of drive wheel for Boro season. The field capacity of the PUA and USGA was almost similar (0.09-0.10 ha hr -1 ) in both the locations. Field efficiency of PUA and USGA had 64-65 and 68-69 percent, respectively. PUA and USGA saved 29-32 percent urea fertilizer compared to HB whereas labour requirement of HB (3.74-4.04 man-hr ha -1 ) in three splits showed similar to single application of urea by PUA (3.68-4.00 man-hr ha -1 ) and USGA (3.78-3.97 man-hr ha -1 ). Urea application cost in HB, PUA and USGA was Tk 4,624, 3,424 and 3,483 per hectare in both the locations. Prilled urea application method reduced the production cost. Urea application methods showed insignificant effect on grain yield. BRRI prilled urea safely dispensed urea fertilizer in subsurface, increased the efficacy of urea fertilizer and saved urea fertilizer without sacrificing grain yield. BRRI prilled urea applicator could be a viable technology in rice cultivation. Extensive dissemination works should be undertaken in different agro-ecological zones for wide spread adoption of the applicator.

Performance of Prilled Urea and Urea Super Granule by Applicators on Yield and Nitrogen Use Efficiency in Boro Rice

“…But comparatively higher TGW was observed in USG deep placement (22.48 g) than PU deep placement (21.99 g) method (Table 2). Islam et al, (2015) also found similar results where insignificant effect of urea applicator was on panicle intensity, panicle length and 1000-grain mass. The grain yield of the N-control plot was only 3.05 t ha -1 and with receiving N from different sources and methods the grain yield increased significantly in all treatments over N-control (Table 2).…”

“…Actually, all the N treatments produced statistically similar grain yield in Boro season. Islam et al, (2015) found that PU and USG applicators saved 29-32% of prilled urea without sacrificing grain yield in view of the nitrogen management options. Field trials conducted in farmers' fields across different agro-ecological zones (AEZ) showed that UDP with 25-35% less urea produced up to 20% higher yield compared to broadcast PU (Miah et al, 2015;Gregory et al 2010;IFDC 2013) which was dissimilar to this finding.…”

Manipulation of Localised Nutrient Placement to Enhance Synergistic Effects of Nitrogen and Phosphorus for Rice 

“…The lack of adequate mechanisation has hampered efforts to improve fertiliser placement methods, especially in developing countries. New application devices are required for precise application of fertiliser close to the crop root zone, a procedure that will considerably reduce nutrient loss and maintain fertilisers in the soil (Fujii et al 2015;Islam et al 2016;Yao et al 2018). Furthermore, reductions in nutrient losses that result from local application may reduce the frequency of fertiliser dressing for high-yield crops (Jiang et al 2018).…”

Effects of cyanobacteria on soil properties in forest and cultivated lands of Madhupur tract

“…The minimum increase of organic matter was recorded in Calothrix Mf inoculation. Islam et al (1993) observed that the growth of cyanobacteria in soil can increase organic matter in soil up to 840 kg ha -1 . Our result is in good agreement with the present finding.…”