This video shows how easily the scrapper of CRIJAF nail weeder can be operated in alluvial soil in between wheat rows after at 18-20 days after sowing to control established weeds along with Cyperus rotundus. CRIJAF nail weeder is first operated at 5-7 DAS and soil is loosened. It weeds out composite weed flora at early stage (5-7 days after germination), aerates the soil and creates soil mulch for moisture conservation. In summer it maintains better hydrothermal regime of soil. A scrapper and a tine is also supplied with the tool for i) controlling established weeds since 15 days after sowing and ii) making lines in prepared soil. It saves around 100 man days/ha and eliminates the use of manual labour and chemical herbicides. It takes maximum 8 man days per hectare to operate the tool. For controlling weeds within the rows, the central nail (3rd from either side) has to be opened and the tool has to be operated over the rows. This way around around 90 percent weeds can be controlled mechanically.The draft requirement varies from 8-15 kg depending on texture of soil. We got wheat yield up to 45 q/ha at 150 per cent recommended fertiliser dose.
Reference:
Ghorai.A.K. (2023).Agricultural weeder with nail assembly for weed control, soil moisture conservation, soil aeration and increasing crop productivity.Current science, 124 (5):635-640.