Evaluation of a Dual-Purpose Chemical Applicator for Paddy Fields
2011
Problem statement: One of the major problems of rice production is the shortage of labor
resulting from migration from rural to urban areas, making it very difficult to meet peak demands for paddy
production. In most developing countries of Southeast Asia, agricultural mechanization of paddy field
operation is mostly carried out using conventional machines. For example in rice production powerintensive
operations such as water pumping, land preparations, transplanting seedlings, harvestings and
threshing are being mechanized but other operations like fertilizer and chemical (pesticides) applications are
not yet fully mechanized, rather they are performed manually with motorized backpack knapsack sprayers
which have many disadvantages. The main objective of this study was to develop and evaluate a new concept
dual-purpose chemical applicator for paddy fields farmers in order to complement the labor shortage during
the peak period. Approach: A dual-purpose chemical applicator for flooded paddy field was evaluated
using the S341.4 Standard in respect to the distribution patterns/droplet sizes and uniformity of
spreading/spraying for the chemical application to boost agricultural mechanization in rice production and
also to overcome the safety concern of hazardous spray drift during chemical application by the paddy
farmers. The dual purpose applicator was mounted on a high clearance prime mover. The machine
performances for both granular and liquid chemical application were reported. Results: Results for urea
granular chemical indicate that at low (40 kg ha?1) and high (120 kg ha?1) rates and 550 rpm disc speed
distribution pattern skewed to the left whereas the distribution pattern shape at medium (80 kg ha?1) rates
was good flattop. At high rate (120 kg ha?1) and 1000 rpm disc speed, mean distribution pattern became
poor (M-shape) and also at low and medium application rates the distribution pattern shapes lopsided to the
left. For NASA glyphosate liquid chemical herbicide, the average values of (VDM) and (NMD) were 108
and 79 µm at 80 lt/ha application rate and 5000 rpm rotary disc speed and 185 and 119 µm at 80 lt/ha
application rate 3000 rpm rotary disc speed. Conclusion: The experimental results from the experimental
tests suggest that the average effective field capacity for the equipment with a prime mover was found to be
0.89 ha h?1 or 7.12 ha/man-day for an 8 h working day.
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