Field evaluation of different weeders in cauliflower cultivation of Muzaffarpur district in northern Bihar, India

Field experiment was conducted to evaluate the performance of different weeders namely Khurpi, improved Grabar, push type twin wheel hoe weeder and power weeder in the cauliflower field of seven farmers during the year 2021-22 and 2022-23. Various parameters such as weeding efficiency, field capacity, plant damage, performance index and economics of weeding operation were observed to assess the performance of different weeders. The power requirement was maximum for power weeder (3 hp) which was also associated with highest effective field capacity (0.05 ha/hr) and plant damage (2.24%). Maximum and minimum weeding efficiency pertained to khurpi (98%) and power weeder (81%) respectively. Highest performance index in improved grabar (1781.46) followed by push type two-wheel weeder (1546.74). The weeding operational cost was reduced by 50, 40 and 86.25% respectively for improved grabar, push type two-wheel weeder and power weeder as compared with khurpi. The economic analysis showed that despite of the low yield in power weeder as compare to other treatments, the maximum gain in net return due to lowest cost of cultivation showed that power weeder economically more feasible, viable and acceptable to the farmers.