Site Specific Application of Neem Coated Urea for Cotton Crop-A Lab Study

Abstract

A study was conducted to evaluate experimental set up for site specific application of neem coated granular urea. This was aimed to enhance fertilizer use efficiency, saving in input cost and reduced environmental degradation due to excessive use of fertilizer. The lab set up was developed based on design requirement consisted of fluted roller metering mechanism, mechanically actuated fertilizer dispensing system, fertilizer box and chain conveying arrangement for fixing cotton plant stem. A mechanical arrangement senses plant and fertilizer delivery system applies fertilizer to target plant. The fertilizer dispensing system’s actuating arm can be opened at force as low as 70 gm. Physical properties of neem coated granular urea were measured. Fertilizer box was provided with 45º side slope for free flow urea on the basis of angle of repose. The experimental set up has been tested over sticky belt to investigate optimum operating parameters for site specific application of neem coated urea. Simulated/Crop condition was created using cotton plant stems fixed over chain conveyor at a spacing of 60 cm. The setup was evaluated in terms of amount of urea delivered and length of band by varying exposure length of fluted roller (8, 16, 24, 32 mm) and forward speed (1.57, 2.04, 2.5 and 3.1 km.h-1). Best performance was observed at forward speed between 1.57 to 2.5 km.h-1.It was also found that percentage filling was observed between 155 to 189% as against theoretical values due to passive flow.SD and C.V. values for amount of urea delivered were ranged between 0.5-3.57 and 10-16%, respectively. Length of fertilizer band was observed in the range of 13 to 19 cm for selected forward speeds. Indicating that the developed setup can be used successfully for testing of site specific application of neem coated urea.