Paddy straw collector-cum-chopper for in situ paddy straw management: A sustainable approach

Purpose The study was devoted to conceptualize, develop and evaluate a collector-cum-chopper for in situ paddy straw degradation at the farmer’s field level. The intention was to increase the amount of straw cut at size below ۵ cm for nutrient recycling.Method A paddy straw collector-cum-chopper comprised of three sub-systems i.e. straw collection and conveying unit, straw chopping device and discharging mechanism was designed and developed. The performance evaluation, economic assessment of paddy straw collector-cum-chopper and fertility status of soil was recorded.Results The results revealed that operating the machine at ۴۰% moisture content, forward speed ۳ kmph and ۴۰ cm height of cut resulted into percentage of paddy straw <۵ cm, ۵-۱۰ cm, ۱۰-۱۵ cm and > ۱۵ cm as ۶۳.۵ %, ۸.۱۲ %, ۶.۴۴ % and ۱۷.۹۲ percent. At such a condition, it consumed ۵.۷۸ lh-۱, ۷.۸۲ kWh-ton-۱ energy at ۲.۰۶ tonnesh-۱ productivity.  The operating cost was Rs.۶۹۴.۶ h-۱, break-even point ۵۵۶ hours per annum, annual utility ۱۱۴۶ tonnes, pay-back period ۱ year and unit cost of paddy straw chopping as Rs.۵۸.۴۴ per tonne. The mixing of the treated paddy straw with the soil bolstered NPK and organic carbon by ۶۴.۶۱%, ۴۸.۳۶%%, ۷۴.۳۲% and ۵۴.۵۴% with respect to ۳۸.۳۷%, ۳۴.۹۱%, ۳۸.۶۹%, ۴۳.۳۳% treated paddy straw kept above the soil.Conclusion The study provides an opportunity to bolster nutrient content of the soil, restrict the dependence on hazardous chemical fertilizers and protect the environment.