Performance and Evolution of Touchi Gurma Weeder with Developed Self-propelled Power Unit

Abstract

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is a staple food for more than 60% of the world population. Asia holds the share of 90% from worlds rice production and utilization (FAO 2014). India holds 2 nd place in rice production and share added about 21.65% of total rice production of the world. In India, rice is cultivated in an area of 43.19 million hectare, annually with a production of 163.70 million tonne and yield of 3790 kg/ha (Agricultural Statistics at a Glance 2018). In Madhya Pradesh rice is grown in an area of 2.06 million hectares with production of 4.12 million tonne with yield of 2026 kg/ha. Weeds are major reason for economic losses in crop production. The estimated yield loss due to weed about 16-42 % based on type of crop and location and in terms of cultivation cost it was estimated about one-third of the total cost of cultivation (Rangasamy et al., 1993). Technologies based on resource conservation are becoming progressively important in rice system International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences ISSN: 2319-7706 Volume 10 Number 02 (2021) Journal homepage: http://www.ijcmas.com