Performance Evaluation of BRRI Power Weeder for Low Land Rice (<i>Oryza sativ</i> L.) Cultivation

Abstract

Mechanical intervention in crop production is increasing rapidly in Bangladesh. Researchers are finding ways to manage weeds in rice field using suitable mechanical devices instead of conventional hand weeding. A study was conducted to evaluate the field performance of BRRI (Bangladesh Rice Research Institute) power weeder compared to BRRI weeder and hand weeding in the farmers field at Rashidpur in Mithapukur upazila under Rangpur district during boro season of 2014-15. Three treatments: T₁ = BRRI weeder (BW), T₂ = BRRI power weeder (BPW) and T₃ = Hand weeding (HW) were used in the experiment. The experiment was carried out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) and replicated in four farmers plots. Rice variety BRRI dhan28 was selected for the experiment. The effective field capacity of BW and BPW was found to be 0.06 and 0.09 ha hr^-1, respectively. The weeding efficiency was the highest in HW (92%), followed by BPW (78%) and BW (73%). It was found that BW damaged the lowest number of plants (9%) compared to BPW (11%) during weeding operation, although the damaged plants recovered after a few days. BW and BPW reduced 74 and 85% of labor requirement in weeding operation compared to HW. The highest weeding cost was involved in HW (Tk. 4287 ha^-1) compared to BW (Tk. 1103 ha^-1) and BPW (Tk. 950ha^-1). Weed control methods exerted insignificant effect on grain yield. BRRI power weeder and BRRI weeder reduced weeding cost, enhanced weed control and improved the labor efficiency without sacrificing grain yield. The highest BCR was obtained in BPW (1.22) followed by BW (1.16) and HW (1.11). BRRI power weeder and BRRI weeder appeared to be economic, easy and also environmentally safe weed control device in low land rice cultivation.

The Agriculturists 2017; 15(1) 40-48