Abstract
This research was conducted to evaluate the field performance of three newly developed types of furrow opener. Wheat
variety, Sehar-2006, was sown in the paddy stubble field. Three types of furrow openers (disk-type, reverse hoe-type, and
hoe-type) were fabricated in the department of Farm Machinery and Power and installed on zone disk tiller drill and tested
for their performance at three forward speeds of tractor, viz. 3.5 km/hr, 4.75 km/hr and 6.4 km/hr. The impact of furrow
openers on residue management, soil physical properties and various crop parameters was evaluated. The mean values of
density at the time of seedling emergence at 0-5 cm depth under disk-type furrow opener, reverse-type furrow opener and
hoe-type furrow opener were 1.37, 1.35 and 1.34 g/cm3 and at 5-10 cm depth were 1.48, 1.45 and 1.43 g/cm3
, respectively.
The mean values of moisture content at the time of seedling emergence at 0-5 cm depth under disk-type furrow opener,
reverse-type furrow opener and hoe-type furrow opener were 11.86, 11.12 and 10.04% and at 5-10 cm depth were 12.75,
11.26 and 11.07%, respectively. The mean seedling emergence rate index under disk-type furrow opener, reverse-type furrow
opener and hoe-type furrow opener was 9.83, 9.42, and 9.33%/day, respectively. The disk-type furrow opener with speed
4.75 km/hr was the better attachment. The mean values of existing residue after 15 days of wheat sowing under disk-type
furrow opener, reverse-type furrow opener and hoe-type furrow opener were 10.45, 9.68, and 8.62%, respectively. The
measured residue under disk-type furrow opener at 3.5 km/hr speed was 1.08 and 1.22 times greater than that of reverse-type
furrow opener and hoe-type furrow opener respectively. The seedling emergence rate index affected the final grain yield. The
mean grain yield under disk-type furrow opener, reverse-type furrow opener and hoe-type furrow opener were 4.03, 3.91 and
3.81 t/ha, respectively. The disk-type furrow opener produced the highest grain yield 4.10 t/ha at speed 4.75 km/hr.