Abstract: 【Objective】Southwestern region is one of the most important wheat production areas in China where wheat concentrates mainly in hilly regions and intercrops with maize or other crops with low mechanization and benefit. Its crucial for boosting regional wheat industry to increase mechanization level of wheat production.【Method】Experiments on different soil types in hilly region of Sichuan basin were conducted during wheat growing seasons in 2010-2011 and 2011-2012 to test the performance and adaptability of small planter driven by micro-cultivator. Treatments included CK (i.e. Sparse-Great Hill which means few hills per unit area but many seeds in a hill and all operations are completed by hands), 2B-4 seeder (only sowing seeds without fertilizing function) and 2BFS-4 seeder (with both sowing and fertilizing functions). 【Result】 A significant difference in establishment quality of wheat was observed in 2010-2011 growing season with dry condition during sowing period. 2B-4 had faster emergence, more uniform distribution of seedlings, and higher quality of individuals and community at early and middle growing stages than other treatments, with a similar trend between two soil types. Seeding efficiency of 2B-4 and 2BFS-4 was significantly higher than that of CK, but their seeding cost was significantly lower than that of CK. Mean grain yields of 2B-4 and 2BFS-4 over growing seasons and soil types were higher than CK by 12.7% and 8.9%, and their mean net benefits were higher than CK by 70.6% and 50.6%, respectively. 【Conclusion】2B-4 was a mature seeding type and worthy of application for hilly fields of Southwestern China based on grain yield, benefit and adaptability.

Key words: South-western wheat production region, hilly dryland, intercropping wheat, sowing pattern, grain yield, benefit