The Economic Benefits of Non Glyphosate Cultivation for the Removal of Alfalfa Before Rhodes. (Udesh Belpagodagamage and Andrew Carver –Aljouf arable farms Almarai )

Introduction – Today agriculture face to two main barriers which are rising of agrochemical price and increase environmental pollution. Objective of this study ‘the economic benefits of non glyphosate cultivation for the removal of alfalfa before rhodes grass.

3. Machinery cost (SAR) –Tractor model JD 9330 and Horsch Terrano Diesel consumption 9.01Ltr /ha –Cost- 2.25Point(Coulter carbide-1132962)-740ha(10 pivots) per one set - cost /ha = 11.5 Wings (Coulter wing 1722.55mm –(Left/RS1120765/64) – 740ha per One set – Cost/ha= 23.5Sprayer Diesel Consumption –2.13Ltr/ha - Cost -0.5

Area Total cost of Herbicide/ha Machinery cost /ha Diesel cost /ha Terrano+ Sprayer

Labor cost -Terrano +Sprayer Total cost /ha Saving /ha

LS 132.75 70 4.5+0.5 4+1 212.75116.2RS (183.2+103.5) 286.7 35 2.25+1 2+2 328.95

4. Cost of Labors - Operator cost /Hour-7 SAR (Skill operator -1 (Salary grade O5)1680 SAR/month) , Time requirement for Terrano cultivation per ha – 16 minutes ,Time requirement for sprayer per ha – 7 minutes Terrano operating cost ( SAR) per ha - 2Sprayer operating cost (SAR) per ha – 1

Average seedling/ m2 at 5 leaves stage(21 days old) ,

LS- 128 (Range 98 to 142) * sample size 12 m2 plots each side RS -130 (Range 91 to 139)

Average tillers/plant at 9 leaves stage (30 days old)LS- 5 tillers and RS- 4.5 tillers

Average yield/ha cut 1 cut 2 cut 3 Total/year DifferentLS- 4.5 9 8.1 21.6 0.6t/ha RS - 4.6 8.3 8.1 21

•Non Glyphosate method was 116.2 Riyal cheaper than Glyphosate method

•There were not significant affects on seeds germination ,tillering ,yield and hay quality

• Rhodes grass can be cultivated successfully without chemically removing Alfalfa in an Alfalfa field

4.Conclusions

Summary- There are no any advance affects on germination, tillering, yield and hay quality between non glyphosate and glyphosate cultivation for Rhodes grass seeds bed preparing following alfalfa. Also non glyphosate cultivation could saved 31$/ha compare with glyphosate cultivation.

Methodology- Glyphosate was sprayed to removed Alfalfa on the right side(RS) of the pivot at rate 6l/ha plus Captain and 1kg of Urea/ha before final cut and didn’t sprayed in left right(LS) . Land preparation- 1.Primary- Single Terrano cultivation on the RS and double on the LS because there was more alfalfa re growth due to unexpected rain (18mm) and 2 weeks delayed cultivation. 2.Secondary- Before planting both sides were completed with a pass of a Carrier(dices and press wheels) and land plane.

Calculation- 1. Glyphosate Cost for Alfalfa Removing

2. Chemical cost for post emerged weed/Alfalfa removing

Post emergence herbicide sprayed at 6leaf stage (25 days old seedling )

Area Glyphosate (l/ha) Unite price (SAR) Captain [1gal/tank)+ urea[1kg/ha) cost Total cost/ ha

LS 0 30.03 0 0RS 6 30.03 1.6+1.6 183.2

Area MCPA (l/ha) 2/4 D [l/ha] Unite price (SAR) Captain (SAR/ha) Total cost/ ha (SAR)LS 2 3 MCPA- 21.7

2/4D – 29.251.6 132.75

RS 2 2 1.6 103.5

Results and discussion

2. Rhodes germination and growth

1. Total cultivation cost

3. Rhodes yield(t/ha) in first year

Post Emergence Alfalfa Around 5-8 % Alfalfa re growth after cultivation in LS as well as few amount of Alfalfa re growth in RS alsoThere were some death big Alfalfa bushes over the grass after sprayed off in LS But after rolling nothing remained over the grasses No any Alfalfa re growth /showing before 1st cut and through out the season in LS