1. 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- 2.25
Point(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= 23.5
Sprayer 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+1 212.75
116.2RS (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 - 2
Sprayer 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 Different
LS- 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 0
RS 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 – 29.25
1.6 132.75
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 also
There 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