List of implements used for intercultural operations: 1. Spade 2. Khurpi and Nirani 3. Country Bida 4. Harrows 5. Cultivators.
Implement # 1. Spade:
The spade is a very common implement used in different agriculture activities including intercultural operation. The spade is made up of iron. The blade of the spade is broad. A wooden handle is attached to the blade. The standard sized spade is 25 cm long and 16.5 cm broad. The size of the spade varies according to their mode of uses.
The spade is used for performing different agricultural operation as follow:
(i) To control weeds and to make the soil loose in open space of row crop.
(ii) To make seedbed and preparation of land in case of small area for sowing seeds or transplanting of seedlings particularly vegetable crops.
(iii) To earthing up of some crop such as potato (Solanum tuberosum L), Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L), Arum (Colocasia antiquorum), Brinjal (Solanum melongena L), Chilli (Capsicum sp), Cabbage (Brassica oleracea var.capitata L), Cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botytis L), Beet (Beeta vulgaris L) etc.
(iv) To make pit or furrow for planting and harvesting of some crops such as Potato (Solanum tuberosum L), Sweet Potato (Ipomea batatas), Groundnut (Arachis hypogeal). Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarumL), Onion (Allium cepaL) etc. About 12-15 labors can inter-cultivate an acre of land in a working day of 8 hour.
Implement # 2. Khurpi and Nirani:
The Khurpi and Nirani are made up of iron and their handles are made-up of wood Khurpi consists of a Sharpe edges triangular shaped blade whereas Nirani consists of sickle shaped blade. They are used for weeding, thinning, loosening the surface soil and making pit for planting the seedlings of some crops.
Such as Cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata), Cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var.botrytis L), Brinjal (Solanum melongenaL), Chilli (Capsicum sp). Beet (Beta vulgaris L), Carrot (Dancus carota L) and sowing of seeds of some crop and fruit tree such as Cucurbita, Mango (Mangifera indicaL), Litchi (Litchi chinensis), Papaya (Carica papaya), Guava (Psidium guajava L) etc. The users have to squat while working with Khurpi and Nirani.
Implement # 3. Country Bida:
The country bida is common implement used for inter-cultivating the crops. The body of this implement is made up of Babul (Acasia arabica L) wood which is cut into rectangular shape. The length of the body is 3-6 feet (90-120 cm.) and width is 10-12 inches (90-120 cm). This implement is simple in design, easy to make and cheap.
The blades that are made up of bamboo are attached to the log on its underside by means of two slanting wooden or bamboo pegs. This implement is used for weeding, thinning and loosening of surface soil of broadcasted Paddy (Oryza sativa L) and Mesta (Hibiscus sp). It is also used for preparing seed bed and covering of seed already sown in the field.
Implement # 4. Harrows:
The harrow is an implement used for secondary tillage which pulverizes and smoothens the soil, levels the soil, prevent and eradicate the weeds and covers the seeds. It is particularly used for breaking the clods in hard soil.
The different types of harrows are as follows:
(i) Spike Tooth Harrow:
The spike tooth harrow is so called because the teeth resembles long spike. The spike tooth harrow is made in sections. Each section may be 4-5 feet (120-150 cm.) wide having 25-30, 30 or 35 teeth. The teeth are attached to bars which may be made of steel or wood. The teeth may be made in different shapes such as round, oval, square, triangular or diamond. The teeth are held firmly against the edges by means of clamps.
The teeth should have wide range of adjustment varying from horizontal to vertical position. There is a tooth with head that is long and curved and fitted at each corner or section in such a manner that when teeth are placed flat, this tooth serves runners. This harrow consists of teeth, toothbar, clamps, guard, liver, hooks, and brakes.
Uses:
The spike tooth harrow is used to break clods, stir the soil, uproot the weeds, break the soil crust, cover the seeds and level the soil. The leveling the soil directly after ploughing is its principal use.
(ii) Spring Tooth Harrow:
The spring tooth harrow is designed in independent sections having tough flexible teeth. Since it gives springing action in working condition, it is suitable to work in hard and stony soil. The tine pulverizes the soil and helps in killing the weeds. The spring tooth harrow consists of frame, tooth bar, tooth, clamps, clevies, links, and guard rail. The levers are provided for setting teeth for varying depth of harrowing.
Uses:
The spring tooth harrow is used for ploughing the land full of weeds and seed bed preparation.
(iii) Disc Harrow:
In the disc harrow, a set of rotating steel discs are mounted on a common shaft, which is called gang.
Discs harrows are of two types according to the nature of power employed as follows:
(a) Tractor drawn disc harrow.
(b) Animal drawn disc harrow.
(c) Tractor drawn disc harrow.
The animal drawn disc harrow mainly consists of a disc, gang fame, gang angle mechanism, beam scraper, saucer, clevis, an axle, middle tire and bearing. In disc harrow, discs are smaller in size than plough.
Disc harrows are of two types depending upon the arrangement of disc as follows:
(i) Single action disc harrow – The single action disc harrow consists of two gangs, placed opposite each other which throws the soil in opposite direction i.e. the left gang throws the soil toward the right and left gang throws the soil towards the right.
(ii) Double action disc harrow – The double action disc harrow consists of two single harrows which are attached together, one behind the other. The front and back gang throws the soil in opposite direction.
Uses:
The disc harrow is found suitable for hard soil, full of stalks and grasses. The dishes cut through the soil and pulverizes the soil very effectively.
(iv) Acme Harrow:
The cutting blades of ache harrow consist of a large knife, so it is sometimes called “Knife harrow”. The harrow consists of a series of knives which are attached securely to the frame. The knives used in this harrow may be straight or curved.
Uses:
The acme harrow is fund suitable for leveling the soil.
Implement # 5. Cultivators:
The cultivator is an implement used for tilling the soil between the standing rows of crop. Cultivator is also known as “Tiller” or Tooth harrow”. A cultivator has two rows of tine attached to its frame. Cultivator is generally used for intercultural operation, mainly for destruction of weeds, aeration of soil, conservation of soil moisture by natural mulching etc.
Cultivators are of two types according to the power employed for the implements as follows:
(i) Bullock drawn cultivator.
(ii) Tractor drawn cultivator.
The different types of cultivators available in our country are as follows:
(i) Horse Hoe Cultivator:
In horse hoe cultivator, the hoes are attached at an interval of 45-90 cm. It covers 1.2 hectare for performing intercultural operation and 0.08 hectare for making furrow for sowing of seed in a working day of eight hours. The five tined lever.
Horse hoe cultivator is used for weeding in Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) and vegetables. In this implement 8-10 cm. long hoes or tines are attached at an interval of 30 cm. This implement is provided with a lever for controlling depth of tillage. The implement is pulled by a pair of bullock.
Uses:
The horse hoe cultivator is used for shallow tillage and control of weeds in between the standing rows of crops.
(ii) Planet Junior Cultivator or Wheel Hoe:
The wheel hoe is a small implement pushed by manual labor. Wheel hoe consists of a body, handle and wheel.
The duck foot type tines of 15 cm. long are attached to its body at an interval of 10- 15 cm. They may be adjusted according to the spacing of crops. The front fork is reversible, combination etc., can also be used in place of duck foot tine. The implement is provided with wheel and a handle.
Uses:
The implement wheel hoe is found suitable for shallow ploughing and control of weeds in between the standing rows of crops. It is also used for making furrow for the sowing of seed and manures incorporation in the soil. The working with this implement is easier due to having a wheel.
Paddy Weeder:
Paddy (Oryza sativa) Weeder is also called “Japanese rotary weeder”. It is operated by manual labor.
The implement consists of different parts as follows:
(a) Body – The body is made of iron to which other parts are attached.
(b) Float – A float is provided infront of the spike tooth drum to avoid Sinking of implement in the puddle field. An adjustment is provided with it to control the depth of ploughing.
(c) Puddler or rotary drum – The puddler consists of small spikes which stir the soil when the implement pushed forward.
(d) Handle – The handle is made of wood and is used for pushing the implement.
Uses:
The paddy (Oryza sativa) weedier is useful for weeding and incorporation of fertilizers in line sown low land Paddy (Oryza sativa L) field. It covers 0.24-0.26 hectares of land for inter-cultivation of Paddy (Oryza sativa L).
Besides these, Akala, Trifali and Baroda hoe are also used for intercultural operation.