Bioscience Methods 2025, Vol.16, No.1, 33-40 http://bioscipublisher.com/index.php/bm 37 seeding, primarily due to higher yields and effective weed control, resulting in a net income increase of US $685 per hectare (Saha et al., 2021). Additionally, the Turbo Happy Seeder in NW India allowed for wheat sowing into rice residues without burning, maintaining or increasing yields while reducing fuel consumption and establishment costs (Figure 2) (Sidhu et al., 2015). Lastly, in the Indo-Gangetic Plains, zero-tillage with direct drill-seeding of rice on flat beds showed potential for sustainability, offering higher net returns in the rice-wheat system (Gathala et al., 2011). Figure 2 Line diagram of front (top) and side (bottom) view of the 9-row Turbo Happy Seeder (v.2) showing the straw management unit. All the dimensions are in mm (Adopted from Sidhu et al., 2015) 5.2 Failed cases: impacts of inappropriate technology choices Despite the successes, there have been instances where inappropriate technology choices led to suboptimal outcomes. In the Philippines, while the hand tractor-mounted seed drill showed promise, its adoption was limited by the need for specific biophysical conditions and the initial cost of the technology (Bautista et al., 2019). In NW India, the Turbo Happy Seeder faced low adoption rates due to constraints such as a limited operational window, low machine capacity compared to conventional drills, and challenges in operating in wet straw conditions (Sidhu et al., 2015). In the Indo-Gangetic Plains, direct drill-seeding with zero-tillage on raised beds resulted in significantly lower rice yields, decreasing over time, which highlights the importance of selecting suitable tillage and seeding methods for specific environmental conditions (Gathala et al., 2011). 5.3 Summary and lessons learned The case studies illustrate that the adaptability of drill and broadcast seeding technologies in rice-wheat rotation systems is highly context-dependent. Successful applications often involve mechanization and integration with effective management practices, such as nutrient management and weed control, which enhance productivity and profitability. However, the failure cases underscore the importance of considering local environmental conditions, operational constraints, and economic factors when choosing seeding technologies. Lessons learned include the need for tailored solutions that address specific challenges, such as labor scarcity, water management, and weed control, to optimize the benefits of these seeding methods. 6 Optimization Strategies for Drill Seeding and Broadcast Seeding in Rice-Wheat Rotation Systems 6.1 Integrated technical optimization strategies To optimize drill seeding and broadcast seeding in rice-wheat rotation systems, several technical strategies can be employed. Strip tillage has shown promise in improving grain yield and nitrogen efficiency in wheat, which can be adapted for rice-wheat systems. This method enhances seedling growth vigor by increasing tiller number, leaf area, and shoot weight, thereby boosting grain yield and nitrogen uptake (Xu et al., 2022). Additionally, mechanized dry direct-seeding technology, such as the use of seed drills, has been effective in increasing grain yield and reducing production costs compared to manual broadcast seeding (Sansen et al., 2019). The development of specialized equipment like the Turbo Happy Seeder allows for sowing wheat into heavy rice residues, reducing fuel consumption and enabling timely sowing (Sidhu et al., 2015).
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