M A Matin
Scientific Officer
Farm Machinery and Post harvest Process Engineering Division
Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute
Gazipur-1701
M A H Sarwar Jahan
Senior Scientific Officer
Regional Wheat Research Centre
Joydebpur, Gazipur
M S Islam
Chief Scientific Officer
Farm Machinery and Post harvest Process Engineering Division
Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute
Gazipur-1701
A power weeder was designed and developed in FMPE divisional workshop, BARI, Gazipur in 2005-06. Based on the performance, the weeder was improved in 2006-2007 and tested with its rotary blade attachment for weeding maize in 2007-08. The treatments were T1– Weedy (control), T2–Hand weeding at 20-25 days after sowing (DAS), T3–Weeding by power weeder at 10-15 DAS, and T4–Weeding by power weeder at 20-25 DAS. Among the treatments, T2, T3, and T4 produced statistically similar yields, but significantly higher than those of T1. Mechanical weeding by the power weeder (T3 and T4) saved about 90% weeding cost and associated labour requirement. The weeding cost was the lowest both in T3 and T4 and the highest benefit was obtained in T4. The weeding index in mechanical method was higher in T3 when density and age of weeds were lower than those of T4. But, the new weeds grew quickly in T3 after weeding and competed with the crop; so, yield was slightly lower than that of T4. Therefore, T4 was found to perform the best in one year field test.
Power tiller, field capacity, fuel consumption, maize, weeder
Farm Mechanization
1. To design and develop an engine operated weeder for maize and other row crops crops
2. To test the performance of the weeder for weeding maize and other row crops
The prototype, attached with rotary blade assembly, was placed between two rows with rotary shaft in raised position. Row length was previously measured with a measuring tape. The engine was started and clutch of rotary shaft was engaged. The depth was measured with a steel rule and set at 25-30 cm by adjusting the press cum support wheel, depending on soil moisture, weed rooting, and soil condition (hard or soft). The wheel clutch was engaged and the machine traveled forward cutting the weeds and soil. Time to cover the length of the field was recorded.
To ascertain various design parameter of the weeder, laboratory test was carried out to determine the engine speed, rotary speed and fuel consumption. Fuel consumption was determined from operating the power weeder at field speed in tilled soil and measuring the time and volume of fuel required. The experiment was conducted at the research farm of Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), Joydebpur, Gazipur during rabi season of 2007-2008. The soil was clay loam. The experimental plots were well pulverized with a tractor and levelled with a bullock drawn ladder. Soil moisture was recorded before each treatment imposed. BARI Hybrid Maize 5 (BHM5) was planted manually in the experimental plots (6x3.5 m each) with 75x25 cm row spacing (as recommended by BARI). Each plot accommodated five rows. The planting date was 4 December 2007. Species wise density of all weeds was recorded before and just after the treatments imposed. The weed sampling was done randomly in middle three rows in 50x75 cm quadrats. Three steel frames (50x75 cm) were placed in the middle of the row positioning 75 cm sides along the row. Weeds close to plants and between rows were not damaged in mechanical methods, but all the weeds were removed in manual method.
Research Report
From the experiment it was found that the power weeder could be an effective means for fast and low cost weeding of maize. The yield was slightly higher in manual method than in mechanical, but not significantly. The cost of weeding and ultimate benefit was significantly higher in mechanical method, method. Further field test on maize and other wide row crops is required for fine tuning of the machine and the method of its operation for maize and other row crops.
Report/Proceedings