Effect of Auger Size and Depth of Operation on Bulk Density, Cone Index, Germination, Root Length, Root Weight and Cob Weight for Maize Crop

Kripanarayan Shukla *

Department of Farm Machinery and Power Engineering, College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, Anand Agricultural University, Godhra, India.

Pankaj Gupta

Department of Farm Machinery and Power Engineering, College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, Anand Agricultural University, Godhra, India.

Shubham Dhakad

Department of Farm Machinery and Power Engineering, College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, Anand Agricultural University, Godhra, India.

Ghanshyam Panwar

Department of Farm Machinery and Power Engineering, College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, Anand Agricultural University, Godhra, India.

*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.


Abstract

Minimum tillage methods offer numerous benefits compared to conventional tillage, including reduced farm operations to establish a good seedbed. Spot tillage, in particular, has advantages such as preserving soil structure, preventing erosion, saving time and energy, and reducing input costs. For this study, the effect of different auger size (40, 50 & 70mm) which was operated by 12V DC motor at different depth of operations (80, 120 & 160mm) were determined. The different parameters were measured such as bulk density, cone index, germination percentage, root length, root weight and cob weight for maize crop (GAYMH-3) and same for traditional sowing method. The results showed that auger size (40, 50 & 70mm) and depth of operation (80, 120 & 160mm) significantly influenced bulk density as bulk density of the soil increased with depth and decrease with increase in auger size. The larger auger (70mm) resulting in lower values in bulk density due to more soil removal. However, cone index was not significantly affected by auger size (40, 50 & 70mm) and depth of operation (80, 120 & 160mm). Seed germination for maize was consistently around 90%, with no significant effects of auger size and depth of operation were observed. An auger size (70mm) was associated with shorter root lengths. Increasing depth resulted in greater root development, leading to longer roots was observed in small size augers. Larger auger size and deeper depths generally resulted in higher root weights. Cob weight increased with auger size (70mm) and deeper depths. Auger size and depth significantly impacted cob weight. Overall, results showed that auger having the size of 70mm and depth of operation at 160mm was desirable compared to other auger size in terms of lower bulk density and cone index but increased root weight and cob weight of maize crop.

Keywords: Minimum tillage, tillage, spot tillage, auger, maize


How to Cite

Shukla, Kripanarayan, Pankaj Gupta, Shubham Dhakad, and Ghanshyam Panwar. 2023. “Effect of Auger Size and Depth of Operation on Bulk Density, Cone Index, Germination, Root Length, Root Weight and Cob Weight for Maize Crop”. International Journal of Environment and Climate Change 13 (11):2899-2911. https://doi.org/10.9734/ijecc/2023/v13i113460.