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Not AvailableAN INVESTIGATION WAS CARRIED OUT AT KOTA ( RAJASTHAN) FOR FOUR CONSECUTIVE YEARS ( 1980-84) IN CLAY LOAM SOILS UNDER RAINFED CONDITIONS TO STUDY THE COMPATIBILITY OF FIELD CROPS. THE RESULTS INDICATED THAT EUCALYPTUS TERETICORNIS TREE LINE HAD ADVERSE EFFECT ON YIELD UPTO 10m DISTANCE IN KHARIF CROPS AND UPTO 20m DISTANCE IN RABI CROPS. THE AVERAGE YIELD REDUCTION IN KHARIF CROPS UPTO 10m DISTANCE WAS 36, 54 AND 55% IN SORGHUM, GREENGRAM AND BLACKGRAM, RESPECTIVELY. YIELD REDUCTION UPTO 20m DISTANCE WAS 82% AND 64% IN SAFFLOWER AND TARAMIRA DURING RABI SEASON.Not Availabl

Effect of tillage management on energy-use efficiency and economics of soybean (Glycine max) based cropping systems under the rainfed conditions in North-West Himalayan Region

Not AvailableThe study on energy-use efficiency and economics of soybean based cropping system, viz., soybean–wheat (Glycine max 9 L., Triticum aestivum L. emend. Fiori & Paol.), soybean–lentil (Lens culinaris Medicus) and soybean–field pea (Pisum sativum L., sensu lato), was carried out at the Hawalbagh experimental farm of Vivekananda Institute of Hill Agriculture, Almora, Uttarakhand, India during 2001–2003 (29°36′ N, 79°40′ E). These cropping systems, under rainfed conditions, were evaluated with different tillage management practices, viz., zero tillage (ZT), minimum tillage (MT) and conventional tillage (CT). Each tillage management practice, under each cropping system was evaluated for total energy output, energy input–output ratio, gross income, net income and marginal income, to variable cost of cultivation. Results revealed that the maximum energy was consumed in terms of chemical fertilizers, followed by seed and plant protection chemicals, in all cropping systems. Equivalent energy was used from literature for conversion purpose. The maximum output energy was observed in CT (44,253 MJ/ha), followed by MT for soybean–lentil cropping system (43,450 MJ/ha). The output–input energy ratio was maximum in ZT for soybean–lentil (4.9) followed by MT for soybean–pea cropping system (4.6). The economic analysis also revealed that the maximum benefits could be obtained from these sequences. Conventional tillage for all cropping sequences was found to be a better option as compared to minimum tillage and zero tillage. Benefit–cost ratios were higher in conventional tillage in all the three cropping systems. However, from the point of energy saving or cost reduction, zero tillage and minimum tillage may be considered depending on resources.ICA

Optimisation of machine parameters of a pedal-operated paddy thresher using RSM

Not AvailableA pedal-operated paddy thresher (the VL paddy thresher) was designed and developed at VPKAS, Almora, Uttrakhand, India. The machine performance was evaluated for optimal design parameters, viz., wire loop spacing 39.1 mm, wire loop tip height 60.6 mm and threshing drum speed 339.46 m min−1. The corresponding threshing capacity and efficiency were 64.6 kg h−1 against predicted 66.8 kg h−1 and 96.4% against predicted 98.3%, respectively, for variety Thapa Chini. Comparative performance tests between the newly developed thresher and the old pedal thresher were conducted to test the effects optimisation. Test results indicated that the VL paddy thresher performed better compared to the existing pedal thresher with rice varieties VL-62, Thapa Chini, China-4, VL-85 and VL-61. It was inferred that the wire loop geometry and drum speed have major effect on the threshing performances of paddy threshers. The weight and cost (32 kg and INR 3500 or 88 US$) of the VL paddy thresher were lower than the existing pedal thresher (50 kg and INR 5500 or 138 US$). The power source for operating the thresher is either one person or a 0.373 kW electric motor.ICA