DEVELOPMENT OF THE MECHANICAL CULTIVATION-OPERATION FOR SUGAR-BEET CROP

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Prof. of Ag. Eng., Fac. of Eng., Assuit Univ., Egypt.

2 Prof. and Head of Mech. Sys. of Ag. Mechanization, Ag. Eng. Res. Inst., Ag. Res. Center, Dokki, Giza, Egypt.

3 Prof. of Ag. Eng., Fac. of Ag. Eng., Al-Azhar Univ., Assuit, Egypt.

4 Eng., Ag. Eng. Res. Inst., Ag. Res. Center, Dokki, Giza, Egypt.

Abstract

The aim of this study is to develop the mechanical inter-row cultivation operation for sugar-beet crop at big-scale projects. The investigated parameters were inter-row cultivator forward speed (4, 5, 6 and 7 km/h), number of shares (1, 2, 3) and weed intensity (without, low “< 20 weed/m2”, moderate “20 - 30 weed/m2”, high “30 - 40 weed/m2, and very high “> 40 weed/m2). The main results were:The maximum cultivation-efficiency of 100 % was obtained using forward speed of 4 km/h, number of shares of 3 and at low weed intensity (< 20 weed/m2). Meanwhile, the minimum cultivation-efficiency of 58.7 % was obtained using forward speed of 7 km/h, number of shares of 1 and at very high weed intensity (> 40 weed/m2). The maximum sugar-beet root yield of 35.5 ton/fed was obtained using forward speed of 4 km/h, number of shares of 3 and without weed. Meanwhile, the minimum sugar-beet root yield of 22.39 ton/fed was obtained using forward speed of 7 km/h, number of shares of 1 and at very high weed intensity (> 40 weed/m2).

Main Subjects


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