Tractor-drawn broad bed furrow seed drill machine to overcome moisture stress for soybean (Glycine max) in Vertisols

Abstract

A tractor-drawn broad bed furrow (BBF) seed drill machine for soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill] was conceived, fabricated and farm validated. It effectively operates in Vertisols and associated soils and is attachable to the tractor for facilitating formation of broad bed along with furrows on both the sides of the beds of desired width and depths and subsequent sowing in one go. Plant population mortality in soybean with tractor-drawn BBF seed drill for Vertisols was reduced in the range of 14–19% as compared to flat bed under the vagaries of monsoon which subsequently resulted in yield enhancement to the extent of 18.65%. Study also indicated that tractor-operated BBF seed drill specifically fabricated for individual tractor performed better in Vertisols and under prevailing field draft conditions.