Weed control within rows of wheat by CRIJAF nail weeder

By. Dr. Asesh Kumar Ghorai, Ex. Principal Scientist (Agronomy), ICAR-CRIJAF, Kolkata 121,WB.
Manual weeder usually controls only the weeds in between rows (80-85%). But the weeds within rows are left out which are controlled manually. The weeds within rows are also controlled by CRIJAF nail weeder. Using CRIJAF manual weeder more than 95% of weeds can be controlled following the procedure mentioned below.
Principle of operation: Operate the tool in between crop rows at field capacity (5-7 days after sowing) to remove germinating composite weed flora (80-85%). To remove weeds within wheat rows, at 15 days after wheat germination (12-15 cm seedling height) remove the central nail (3rd from either side) from the nail assmbly. Keep the crop rows in between front wheels of CRIJAF nail weeder and set the open space (in between 2nd and 4th nails) over the crop rows for operation. At fielfd capacity stage by to and fro movement of the weeder, operate the tool over crop rows (15 days old and 12-15 cm seedling height)as usual. Weeds within the crop rows are removed (80-90%) and soils with in the crop rows are pulverised. The disturbances to the young seedlinds are minimum( Photo 3).More than 95% of total weeds can be controlled using CRIJAF nail weeder and its assemblies at different time. The necessity of the manual weeding and herbicides can be eliminated.
Reference: Ghorai.A.K. (2023).Agricultural weeder with nail assembly for weed control, soil moisture conservation, soil aeration and increasing crop productivity.Current science, 124 (5):635-640.