Field Performance Evaluation of Power Weeder for Paddy Crop

Abstract

Weeds are the main significant constraints in paddy production. Weed eradication by using herbicides and weedicides pronounced simple and fast method but is restricted due to its adverse effects on both environment as well as human beings. To overcome these limitations, mechanical weeding can be selected as appropriate weed control measure.Based on this, a modified power weeder was tested for weed control in upland paddy at 20 and 45 days after sowing (DAS) andthe performance was compared with traditional hand weeding and manual operated mechanical weeder (Ambika paddy weeder). The modified power weeder show well prominence in weeding for upland paddy at 20 and 45 DAS and fuel efficient (0.63 to 073 l/h).The power weeder was found at par with the Ambika paddy weeder with a weeding efficiencyof 74.22 % and 86% at 20 and 45 DAS respectively. There was no significant variation in field efficiency for Ambika paddy weeder at 20 & 45 DAS, but the highest field efficiency was shown by paddy power weeder as 70% for 45 DAS.The energy consumption was more in paddy power weeder than Ambikapaddy weeder as 493.64 and 452.40 MJ/ha at20 and 45DAS respectively. The cost of operation per hectare with power weeder amounted to ₹928/-and₹850/-against Ambika paddy weeder as₹2,617/- and₹2,346/- for 20 and 45 DAS respectively. The machine also depicted the energy-cost as 1.88 and 1.87 at 20 and 45 DAS respectively. Whereas the hand weeding showed the highest values in weeding efficiency and field efficiency at 20 and 45 DAS as it was an ideal method of weed control exceptforthe cost of operation.