Comparative Performance Analysis of a Remote-Controlled Paddy Weeder in Varied Soil Conditions

Aim: Remote controlled paddy intercultural equipment was evaluated under sandy, sandy loam and loamy soils in terms of fuel consumption (l/h), field capacity (ha/h) and field efficiency (%).Study Design: Field evaluation of robotic paddy weeder.Place and Duration of Study: Dr NTR College of Agricultural Engineering, Bapatla. Duration of study was from August, 2023 to September, 2023.Methodology: The performance evaluation of weeder was conducted at rotary weeder rotational speed of 160rpm and weeding depth of 50mm in terms of the observations on fuel consumption, field capacity and field efficiency. Weeding operation was carried on 20th day and 40th day after transplanting. Each field test was conducted over a run length of 50m at constant speed and depth in different soils were recorded for all the parameters and each test was replicated thrice to eliminate experimental bias.Results & Discussion: The highest fuel consumption was observed as 2.2l/h when weeder was operated in loamy soil on 40 days after transplanting and the lowest was 1.2 l/h when the weeder was operated in sandy soils on 20 days after transplanting. The highest field capacity was observed as 0.098ha/h when weeder was operated in sandy soil on 20 days after transplanting and the lowest was 0.076ha/h when the weeder was operated in loamy soils on 40 days after transplanting. The highest field efficiency was observed as 81.66% when weeder was operated in sandy soil on 20 days after transplanting and the lowest was 63.33% when the weeder was operated in loamy soils on 40 days after transplanting.Conclusion: The performance of remote operated paddy weeder is best when operated on 20 days after transplanting when compared with 40 days after transplanting for increasing the productivity.