Book of Extended summaries ISDA

International Conference on Reimagining Rainfed Agro-ecosystems: Challenges &
Opportunities during 22-24, December 2022 at ICAR-CRIDA, Hyderabad
contemporary adjustments in the over all implement length, effective working width, type of
cutting element, accordingly blade spacing and number of blades to be fitted on the rotor shaft.
Weeding machine performance is influenced by the crop height. In general, weed removal
process alone or in combination with intercultural operation being taken up at different time
intervals; but two such operations are compulsorily carried by farmers. In normal conditions
30 to 60 days after sowing (DAS) is recommended practice in pigeon pea. Branching pattern
in pigeon pea depends on genotype and spacing between rows and plant to plant. At wider
spacing's, it may form a bush and at narrow spacing remains compact and upright with lower
quantity of foliage. As the crop DAS is more, the branches will spread side words occupying
more inter row spacing. Horizontal spread of branches makes it difficult to move any
implement and slow down the operational speed of the machine. The horizontal spreading of
the canopy of the red gram crop was measured at the maximum cone diameter. Overall, the
type of crop species and its planting geometry influences the performance and as well as field
capacity of weeding machine. The machinery system was conceptualized and fabricated based
on mean values of various crop parameters measured to test for mechanical weeding operation.
Selection of power source is also a very important while developing any type of agricultural
machine. The power required for rotary weeder was selected from a mini tractor having engine
power of 13.4 kW (18.5 hp).
Results
Weeding Operation in redgram field with L-Type Blades
Rotary weeder prototype was evaluated in terms of weeding efficiency, plant damage, effective
field capacity and fuel consumption. Weeding efficiency of L-type blades with rotary speeds
of 300 and 440 rpm with forward speed 1.7 km/h was varied in the range of 82.56% to 91.69%.
Weeding efficiency of L-type blades with rotary speeds of 300 and 440 rpm with forward speed
of 2.5 km/h in the range of 76.87% to 80.24%. Plant damage of L-type blades with rotary speed
719 | Page Emerging approaches (RS, AI, ML, Drones etc) for crop management &assessment