Impact of Ferti Cum Seed Drill on Production Potential of Paddy in Farmer Fields of North Coastal Andhra Pradesh, India
S. Kiran Kumar
ICAR- ATARI Zone-X, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh, India.
G. Sowjanya Roy
ICAR- ATARI Zone-X, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh, India.
K. Madhu Kumar
Agricultural Research Station, Ragolu, Acharya N G Ranga Agricultural University, Andhra Pradesh, India.
Balakrishna Ch *
ICAR- ATARI Zone-X, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh, India.
G. Puspha Giridhar Reddy
ICAR- ATARI Zone-X, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh, India.
S. Anusha
ICAR- ATARI Zone-X, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh, India.
V. Hari Kumar
ICAR- ATARI Zone-X, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh, India.
B. Suneeta
ICAR- ATARI Zone-X, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh, India.
K. Bhagya Lakshmi
ICAR- ATARI Zone-X, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh, India.
J. V. Prasad
ICAR- Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute (ATARI)-Zone X, Hyderabad, India.
SK. N. Meera
ICAR- Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute (ATARI)-Zone X, Hyderabad, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Rice is the most important staple food for more than half of the global population. It is cultivated in at least 95 countries across the globe. Direct seeded rice (DSR) with ferti cum seed drill is a promising alternative to traditional broadcasting due to reduced input costs i.e., less labour, less seed rate and earlier harvest of crop. The present study, conducted by Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Srikakulam, at farmers fields of Sarubujjili, Amadalavalasa, Polaki Narasannapeta mandals of Srikakulam district to evaluate the performance of line sowing of paddy with Ferti cum Seed drill through frontline demonstrations for three consecutive kharif seasons from 2022 to 2024. The results revealed that seed drill-sown paddy significantly increased yield attributes, overall yield, and economic returns compared to the conventional broadcasting method. There is an average 8.3% increase in productive tillers per square meter (336) compared to broadcasting (310). Similarly, in seed drill method produced more number of filled grains per panicle (116) and higher Yield (6342 kg ha-1) than broadcasting method. The results translated into economic benefits, with higher net returns (Rs.89271 ha-1) and benefit-cost ratio (BCR) of 2.81:1 were recorded in Seed drill Sown Paddy than the broadcasting method (Rs. 66183 ha-1 and 2.26:1), respectively.
Keywords: Paddy, direct seeded rice, front line demonstrations, seed cum fertilizer drill economics