Vol. 12, Issue 5 (2023)

Author(s):
HS Chaudhary, NA Chaudhary, RV Bhabhor, Alok Gora and RN Singh

Abstract:
This study attempted to investigate the possibility of mechanizing weeding operations by developing a multi-crop power weeder that can be used in crops with a row spacing wider than 30 cm at S. D. Agricultural University, Sardarkrushinagar. For different crop spacings, three blade shapes (L-shape, C-shape, and J-shape blade) were designed for weeding. RNAM test codes were used to test the developed weeder on pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) and castor (Ricinus communis L.). L, C, and J shape blades achieved weeding efficiency of 80.98, 70.77, and 77.87 percent and 86.30, 71.56, and 78.75 percent for pearl millet and castor crops, respectively. It was found that pearl millet crop was damaged by L, C, and J-shaped blades at a rate of 4.27 percent, 9.99 percent, and 8.37 percent, respectively. During weeding operations with all three blades, no plant damage was observed. Among pearl millet and castor crop, the L-shape blade recorded the highest field efficiency (81.02 and 86.30%) followed by the C-shape blade (76.66 and 77.28%) and J-shape blade (78.73 and 81.61%). The fuel consumption of the weeder ranged from 0.60 to 0.81 l/h. In pearl millet and castor crops, the cost of operation was found to be 105.2 ₹ per hour and 870 and 642 ₹ per hectare, respectively. Compared to manual weeding, the multi crop power weeder saves 83.27 and 86.09 percent in pearl millet and castor crops, respectively.