Abstract
A new weeding machine was developed that reduces the amount of herbicide required in rice production. The truck body of a transplanting machine was used in the construction of the machine. Weeds growing between the rice plant rows were removed with sweep row cleaners and basket rollers. Weeds growing within the rows were controlled with rotary hoes and herbicides. The machine was operated at a speed of 0.6m/s in a 0.4ha paddy field. The resulting effective field capacity was 0.2ha/h, field work efficiency was 50%, fuel consumption was 6.1L/ha, and the amount of herbicide applied to the field was 38% of that used in conventional broadcast application. The weeding machine was also evaluated in another paddy field with 120mm water depth. Two treatments, one at 3 weeks and another at 6 weeks after transplanting, were applied. Weed yield was reduced to less than 10% of that of the untreated control. The results suggest that the weeding machine can replace conventional broadcast herbicide application.
