Department of Agricultural Engineering, Maharashtra Institute of Technology, Aurangabad-431 028, Maharashtra, India, E-mail: ybpadole@gmail.com.
Rotary power weeder has been evaluated for its field performance in comparison with bullock drawn blade hoe. It works better than bullock drawn blade hoe in respect of working depth 5.67 cm (16.67 per cent more), effective field capacity 0.14 ha/h (40.00 per cent more), and field efficiency 90.00 per cent, which is 34.11 per cent more than that of bullock drawn blade hoe. The cost of operation was found to be Rs. 798.46 against Rs. 894.87 per ha by bullock drawn blade hoe. Hence, it is more economical and effective than bullock drawn blade hoe as it saves 10.77 per cent weeding cost; reduce plant damage up to 54.23 per cent, and achieved weeding efficiency up to 92.76 per cent.
Power weeder, Weeding efficiency, Plant damage
