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Sudan Journal of Agricultural Research

Design and performance evaluation of a manual push weeder for weed control between ridges in faba bean in River Nile State

Alaeldin M.Elhassan

Abstract:

A manual push weeder (MPW) was designed and its performance was evaluated in control of weeds between ridges in faba bean fields in River Nile State. The performance in terms of weeding efficiency and work rate was compared with manual weeding using a hand-held tool and herbicides to control weeds. Weeding was carried out once at 4 weeks and twice at 4 and 6 weeks after sowing for the MPW and manual weeding using hand-held tool, Pursuit plus Stomp mixture in a tank as pre-emergence herbicides were applied at the recommended rates. The MPW gave a promising weeding efficiency at 4 weeks after sowing of up to 70.6%. Comparison of means showed that there was no significant difference in faba bean yield using the MPW and manual weeding with hand –held tool. Economic analysis showed that weeding by the MPW at 4 and 4 plus 6 weeks after sowing and application of pre-emergence herbicides meet or exceeded the target of return by 1369, 643, and 70% respectively. However, manual weeding with hand-held tool was found to be economically not feasible.

 

Sudan Journal of Agricultural Research Vol. 12  (2008) PP. 109-116