Technical and Economic Assessment of a Tractor Operated Boom Sprayer on Tomato Crop

Abstract

Efficient pesticide application is essential for sustainable agriculture, especially in large-scale farms where manual spraying is labor-intensive and inconsistent. This study evaluates the performance of a tractor-operated boom sprayer under laboratory and field conditions. Key operational parameters such as nozzle discharge rate, spray uniformity, field capacity, efficiency, and fuel consumption were analyzed. Laboratory tests indicated nozzle discharge increased with pressure, with uniform spray coverage achieved at 3-4 kg/cm2. Field evaluations on tomato crops revealed an effective field capacity of 1.27 – 1.84 ha/hr, field efficiency between 78–85%, and a fuel consumption rate of 2.24–2.4 l/hr. The estimated operational cost ranged between INR 265 – 384 per hectare, significantly lower than manual spraying costs. Results demonstrate that the boom sprayer ensures uniform pesticide application, reduces labor requirements, and enhances operational efficiency, making it suitable for medium to large-scale farms. While the findings are crop and region-specific, they highlight the potential of tractor operated sprayers as a sustainable mechanization tool. Future integration with precision agriculture technologies, such as variable rate nozzles and IoT enabled monitoring systems, could further enhance its efficiency and sustainability.