Author(s):

Arpit Kumar, Satish Manda and Mukesh Jain

Abstract: The performance of tractor Power Take off (PTO) operated rotary mulchers was evaluated in the combine harvested paddy field in Village Jhaloor, Dist. Barnala (Punjab). Both Haryana and Punjab have large lands of paddy field and most of the paddy crop is harvested by using combine harvesters. Combine harvesters after harvesting paddy crop leave behind straw in the form of standing stubbles. The loose straw left after harvesting by combine, lying in the windrows resulted in frequent choking in between furrow openers and frame of the drill. The straw present in field often builds up in front of tynes of drill and eventually blocks the tynes and frame, causing uneven seeding depth, rate and a patchy stand of plants. Incorporation of the leftover straw into soil or chopping and spreading it on the soil surface to act as natural mulch is a better way of waste utilization which improves soil health and also reduces the difficulty faced during primary tillage. Thus performance of the rotary mulcher was evaluated in the field to check its applicability to overcome the problem faced by the farmers. The comparative analysis of the performance of different makes of rotary mulcher viz. Make ‘‘A’’ and Make ‘‘B’’ was also performed. The average field capacity, field efficiency, fuel consumption & percentage cut (height) observed in the field were 0.37 ha/h, 81.03 %, 14.678 l/ha& 82.56% for Make ‘‘A’’ and 0.352 ha/h, 79.54 %, 12.532 l/ha & 84.89 % for Make ‘‘B’’ respectively.

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