Performance evaluation and modification of mini power weeder for intercultural operation under upland condition in northeast India

Abstract

Weeding in crop cultivation is one of the important field operations to control crop yield losses (28-100 % depending on nature, intensity and duration). Controlling weed is the major problem being faced by the farmers especially during rainy season due to luxuriant growth of weed in northeast India. Hand weeding is found to be the most popular method among the farmers in the region though it is tedious, time consuming and labour demanding. The output of the existing manual weeders is very low. Therefore, a mini power weeder was evaluated and refined for adoptability and better performance among the tribal farmers under upland conditions in the region. Weeding was conducted at both 25 DAS (Days after sowing) and 45 DAS and compared with traditional method and other different manually operated hand tools. From the study, the effective field capacity and weeding efficiency of mini power tiller at forward speed between 1.5 to 2 km/hr were observed to be 0.032 ha/hr and 73.05 %, respectively. The power weeder (14 kg only) could be transferred easily by one person from one terrace to another. The man-days/ha requirement was highest for hand weeding and lowest for mini-power weeder. The mini power tiller was found satisfactory in hilly terrain and small plot farms for reducing human effort and drudgery involved in weeding operation thereby improving productivity and overall wellness of the farmers.