M. R. Bakhtiari, M. Loghavi,
Volume 12, Issue 44 (7-2008)
Abstract
In the conventional methods of herbicide and fertilizer application, a substantial amount of toxic chemicals is sprayed or broadcast into the furrows, which is later washed away by irrigation water and may contaminate ground water, human and animal environment. If herbicide and fertilizer application could be limited to the most needed parts of the field rather than overall broadcasting, the mentioned problems could be alleviated and the application efficiency could also be increased by reducing the consumption rate. In an attempt to achieve this goal, a combination cultivator capable of simultaneously performing cultivation practices such as weed control (mechanical + chemical), fertilizer application and pest control was developed and evaluated. This machine was able to perform band spraying (fungicide, insecticide and herbicide) and mechanical cultivation (within-the-row weed killing, furrow reforming and hilling) simultaneously and properly. The combination cultivator was able to reduce herbicide consumption up to 66%.
