In this study, we examined the effects of mechanical weeding after rice bran application on the growth and yield of paddy rice cultivated without the use of herbicides from 2006 to 2007. In a paddy field and a rotational paddy field after soybean cultivation, the effects of either with or without rice bran application and either with or without mechanical weeding were tested by dividing the experimental field into four blocks. Rice bran application was highly effective in suppressing Lindernia spp., Monochoria vaginalis, Cyperus difformis and Eleocharis acicularis. Mechanical weeding after the application of rice bran not only enhanced weed suppression but also increased nitrogen uptake by the rice plants during panicle formation compared to rice bran application alone. As a result, the number of spikelets per unit area increased, thereby increasing rice yield. In the second year (2006) after soybean cultivation, rice yield increased in a rotational paddy field when compared to a paddy field but yield did not increase in the third year.

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To identify potential safety improvements to combine harvesters, the present study analyzes survey data regarding accidents involving combines. A questionnaire survey was completed by 902 Japanese farmers who had been involved in combine harvester accidents; the respondents were from 23 different prefectures. The questionnaire included items such as degree of injury, cause of accident, and machinery operation conditions. The survey results found 257 accidents, including 134 injuries and two fatalities. The data include specific accident causes for 242 cases. According to the results, 65% of combine accidents were caused by contact with processing parts such as the cutter, feeding chain, or conveyer belt, while 29% were caused by the combine rolling over. In the former cases, 60% of victims were seriously injured and either visited or were admitted to a hospital; roughly 2/3 of these serious cases stemmed, at least in part, from a deliberate deviation from safe operating procedures. Both fatalities reported were caused by combines rolling over, but no one was injured in 80% of the rolling accidents reported. The most common occurrences of combines rolling over included combines rolling off transport trailers or rolling off gangways connected to truck platforms. More accidents occurred while transporting combines than during operation. These results suggest that equipment improvements to harvester combines that prohibit deliberate deviations from safety procedures as well as improvements to avoid machinery rolling over are required.

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