Effect of straw moisture on the performance of mulcher in paddy stubble field

Abstract

Globally, most popularised issue is burning of crop residues which has an adverse effect on the environment and human health. According to the estimates of Sardar Patel Renewable Energy Research Institute (2004), about 72 Mt crop residues are burnt on-farm. Apart from burning, the crop residues have several uses viz., soil mulching, manure, power generation, animal feed etc. Hence, straw mulching in paddy stubble field was studied based on the effect of straw moisture on mulching parameters viz., length of chopped material, cutting efficiency and uniformity of spreading. The moisture content of paddy was taken at intervals after harvesting of crop i.e., 20, 30 and 40 days after harvest. The straw moisture content at these intervals are found to be 15, 19 and 24 percent respectively. The length of chopped material increased linearly with straw moisture content and varied from 15 to 24 cm. There is a decreasing trend of cutting efficiency with increase in straw moisture content and varied from 65 to 86 percent. The uniformity of spreading varied from 79.53 to 94.56 percent and decreased with increase in straw moisture content.