Comparative economic analysis of the use of cover crops, mulch materials and herbicides as weed management options in Sweet Orange (Citrus sinensis l. Osbeck var. Agege-1) orchard

Abstract

Weed management is imperative to achieve adequate growth and economic returns in Sweet Orange orchard. Field experiments were carried out to evaluate economics of the use of cover crops: Pumpkin, Egusi melon at 40,000 plants/ha, Sweet potato (10,000 plants/ha), Akidi (53,333 plants/ha), Hand slashing at 6 times/year and No weeding as control. Also, black polyethylene sheet (0.2μ), cassava peel 30 t/ha, and sawdust (25 t/ha) as mulch, paraquat (276g a.i/L), glyphosate (480g a.i/L) as (post-emergence application) herbicide and no weeding as control. The spacing for Sweet Orange was 5m x 5m, while the experiment was laid out in randomized complete block designs in four replications. Data were collected on cost of inputs, labour and output from the cover crops at the prevailing market prices. Budgeting analysis was used to estimate level of profitability. Results revealed that hand slashing treatments recorded higher costs of production ( N 248,165.00/ha) compared to the cover crops combination of Sweet Orange and Akidi in the first year (N209,315/ha). For the mulch materials and herbicide treated plots, highest cost (N217,165/ha) was incurred with Cassava Peel plots, while No Weeding plots gave the lowest (N148,165/ha) production cost in the first season. Highest revenue of N125,125/ha was obtained in the pumpkin plots in the first year. Cover Crop plots gave returns to investment in the 2 season of production compared to mulch materials and herbicide treatment plots. The study recommends appropriate Cover Crop combination that may help farmers manage weeds and also lessen the cost of management especially when the Sweet Orange are in the unproductive phase.