Appropriate weeding tools for dryland maize of Jammu region

Field study was conducted during kharif 1997, 1998 and 1999 to evaluate the comparative performance of different weeders in maize. The study revealed that crop yields varied significantly from 6.02 q/ha to 42.18 q/ha corresponding to time of weeding which ranged from 66 h/ha to 358 h/ha. On three year mean basis, the maximum yield increase of 130 % over control was observed in case of double end hoe. Wheel hoe recorded 63 % increase in yield over control with lowest weeding time of 74.33 q/ha. A highest speed of weeding operation was observed in wheel hoe and rotary weeder both having rotational motion. Wheel hoe also showed maximum field capacity (0.01345 ha/h) and field efficiency (34.4 %). Although double end hoe and Gudru (local weeding tool) recorded 100 % weeding efficiency, their cost of weeding was highest. It was inferred that weeds reduce yields significantly and whatever the cost of weeding, the returns from produce are high enough to compensate for the expenditure on weeding.