Agriculture Practices: Drilling vs. Transplanting

Drilling Practices

• Drilling uses less seed compared to other methods.
• Allows simultaneous application of manures, fertilizers, and amendments.

Transplanting

• Involves raising seedlings on nursery beds for later transfer to the field.
• Seedlings should be approximately one-fourth of the crop's total duration.
• Nursery area typically requires about one-tenth of the field's total area.
• Commonly used for crops like paddy, fruits, vegetables, and tobacco.
• Helps ensure optimal plant population and reduces management time in main fields.
• Can be labor and cost-intensive.

Planting Techniques

• Planting involves placing vegetative parts of crops like tubers or cuttings in the field.

Crop Geometries

• Broadcasting: Random sowing; space is often mismanaged, leading to under or over-exploitation of resources.
• Square Method: Equal distances between plants; supports wind flow and mechanization.
• Rectangular Method: Plants arranged in rows and columns; includes solid row, paired row, and skip row arrangements to manage population.
• Triangular Method: Efficient for wide-spaced crops like coconut and mango, allowing higher plant density.

Sowing Methods

• Broadcasting: Random sowing, ideal for small to medium crops; involves mixing seeds with sand for uniform coverage.

  • Disadvantages: Inconsistent seed-soil contact and higher seed rates required.

• Dibbling: Seeds placed at a specific depth in holes; effective for larger seeds.

  • Advantages: Ensures uniform population and better germination.
  • Disadvantages: Time-consuming and labor-intensive.

• Sowing Behind the Plough: Manual or mechanical dropping of seeds into furrows for uniform distance.

  • Commonly used for crops like groundnut and red gram.

• Drill Sowing: Seeds dropped at a defined depth and compacted with soil; uses specialized sowing implements.

Irrigation Overview

• Irrigation aids crop production through artificial water application.
• Sources of Water: Surface (rivers, lakes) and underground (wells, tubewells).

Irrigation Scheduling

• Refers to timing and frequency of irrigations based on crop needs.
• Various approaches include transpiration ratio, soil moisture deficit, climatological, and critical stage approaches.

Water Measurement Units

• 1 Cusec: 28.3 liters
• 1 Cumec: 1000 liters
• 1 ha mm: 10,000 liters

Irrigation Measurement Methods

• Orifices and Weirs: Measure water flow in channels; various formulas available for discharge calculations.
• Parshall Flume: Combines weir and submerged orifice for flow measurement.

Crop Planting Data

• Cotton and maize are planted at specific densities per hectare, with variations depending on the crop variety.

Terminology in Irrigation

• Nominal Duty and Kor Watering: Key terms related to irrigation efficiency and requirements.
• Palco Irrigation: Initial irrigation for seed germination.
• Delta (Δ): Total water depth required during crop duration.

Water Use Efficiency

• Indicates water required to produce crops, varying significantly across different crops.

Rainfall and Crop Growth

• Rainfall is a major contributor to irrigation; effective rain is measured based on the size of raindrops and duration.

Germination Process

• Critical for plant growth; optimal sowing depth varies by seed size.
• Distinctions between epigeal (cotyledons above soil) and hypogeal (cotyledons below soil) germination.

Intercultural Operations

• Thinning and Gap Filling: Adaptations practiced shortly after sowing.
• Earthing Up: Increases soil around plants to enhance growth and stability.

CRIDA Soil Tillage Classification

• Tillage depends on depth: shallow (5-6 cm), medium (15-20 cm), and deep (25-30 cm).

Root Depth by Crop Type

• Shallow, medium, and deep root systems vary by crop species affecting water and nutrient uptake efficiency.

Explore the advantages and disadvantages of drilling and transplanting in agriculture. Understand key concepts like seed quantity, labor requirements, and nursery practices. This quiz provides insights into essential farming techniques.