Book of Extended summaries ISDA

International Conference on Reimagining Rainfed Agro-ecosystems: Challenges &
Opportunities during 22-24, December 2022 at ICAR-CRIDA, Hyderabad
hitch system and the pack gets power from tractor Power take off shaft. The second
component is multi-functional tool bar holder fitted to tractor chassis just in front of rear
tyres. The power pack carriage frame was rectangular in shape (180cm x 67cm size) made
with a mild steel square bar of 50x50x5mm. The frame was provided two support pneumatic
wheels of 5x12 ply rating for easy field mobility without much vibration’s due to activation
of various hydraulic components. (iii) Cover crop shredding machine consisted of a
rectangular shaped tubular frame (2015mm x 490 mm) coved all three sides except front,
power transmission system with gearbox, chain and sprocket arrangement and a rotor unit
with hinged blades. The rotor shaft is 1850mm in length made of hallow pipe of 190 mm
outer diameter with 10 mm thick wall and with splined shafts of 150mm length at both the
ends. The hinged blades with bolting fixers on the rotor were arranged by providing 60mm
length brackets (30x5mm size) at an angular space of 1200 welded at regular intervals on
shaft. Inverted Y shaped and 200mm effective length metal blades were arranged having
inner cutting edge bevelled to reduce the cutting force. A standard three-point hitch
arrangement was fabricated with mild steel flats and fitted to the shredder main frame
assembly.
Results
Frequent use of cultivator to control weeds does not conserve soil organic matter, so need to
promote soil friendly machines, which will minimally disturb the soil. The developed weed
control floor management machines were tested under different conditions to verify its
intended purposes. The tractor back mounted PTO operated mower is able to reach the
tightest spaces with ease in horticulture crops. The machine lateral heavy-duty blades allow
it to both mowe weed biomass and mulch the smaller pruning’s. This machine is found more
suitable for herbs and juicy stemmed grass types weeds. This type of machine was developed
in two sizes, one to meet the small and the other to large scale horticulture farmers, those
who are using15 - 22 hp and 35 -45 hp tractors, respectively.
The side mounted rotary disc with hydraulic power pack unit is a two in one modal machine.
Depending on the weed control requirement, either weed biomass mowing rotary disc or
weed control soil mechanical manipulation disc could be fitted interchangeably. The weed
biomass mowing rotary disc working width was 80 cm with 3 knives and 3 special nylon
strings. The machine rotary disc fitted bar was provided with side shift and disc lift
arrangements. A rear independent hydraulic system with proper components and linkages
powers the working head and a 50 plus hp tractor is required to operate this machine.
Several suitable green manure and cover crops were recommended to maintain soil fertility
and as a weed control check in cultivation of horticulture crops depending on its properties
and option for use. However, some of these legume and non-legume cover crops should be
treated before seed formation for weed control considerations point of view and few more
Emerging approaches (RS, AI, ML, Drones etc) for crop management &assessment
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