Development of a 15-M tractor mounted spray boom for increased efficiency | |
| Author | Prakash, Nalavade Parish |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.AE-07-01 |
| Subject(s) | Spraying and dusting in agriculture Spraying |
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Engineering in Agricultural Systems and Engineering, School of Environment, Resources and Development |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Series Statement | Thesis ;no. AE-07-01 |
| Abstract | Continuous growing population has increasing pressure on agricultural production. To feed and clothe these people agricultural production has to be increased. Agricultural production can be increased through intensive cultivation and minimizing yield losses. The losses due to pest, disease and weeds are mostly controlled by using intensive and costly chemicals. There is need to use these chemicals preciously and effectively to reduce their use, cost and minimize environmental damage. In first part of this project, a feasibility survey of a tractor mounted boom sprayer was carried out in Punjab, Gujarat and Southern region of India. The results showed that 78% farmers prefer chemical methods as a major plant protection method and use of chemicals was seen more intensive mainly on cash crops such as cotton, potato, sugarcane. Spray booms in between 6.5 to 9.2 m lengths were mostly used by the farmers. Most of the farmers in India were using boom sprayer due its good efficiency and fast operation. The management time is most important in removing certain pest. The land coverage and speed of operation can be increased by increasing boom length, but previous studies showed that increasing boom length increases boom moments and distorts the spray pattern significantly. In further part of the study, a 15 m structurally stable tractor mounted spray boom has been developed. Then it was tested in laboratory and on field for evaluating its performance. The developed spray boom's performance was compared with existing one on farm performance as well as economic point of view. Statistical analysis showed that there was no significant variation in spray uniformity within ' field for all the test trials, which means existing as well as newly designed boom were produces satisfactory uniform spraying. Economic analysis showed that 15 m spray booms were most economical than the existing 9 m spray booms. It further concluded that 15 m spray boom has almost double field capacity than the existing 9 m |
| Year | 2007 |
| Corresponding Series Added Entry | Asian Institute of Technology. Thesis ; no. AE-07-01 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Department of Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources (Former title: Department of Food Agriculture, and BioResources (DFAB)) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Agricultural and Food Engineering (AE) |
| Chairperson(s) | Salokhe, Vilas M.; |
| Examination Committee(s) | Jayasuriya, Hemantha P. W.;Dhande, K. G.;Athapol Noomhorm; |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | AIT Fellowship;Protected Cultivation Project; |
| Degree | Thesis (M.Eng.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2007 |