Economic assessment of some pre- emergence herbicides in the Sudan Savanna Zone of Nigeria

Field trials were conducted in 2006 and 2007 cropping seasons at the University of Maiduguri Teaching and Research Farm located in Maiduguri (11°50’N; 13°10’E) to carry out an economic analysis of the use of some pre-emergence herbicides for the production of sesame. The experiment consisted of 22 treatments which included 4 different pre-emergence herbicides applied at 5 different rates viz: butachlor, metolachlor, diuron and pendimethalin at 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 and 2.5 kg a.i. /ha, weeding at 3 and 6 weeks after sowing (WAS) and weedy check. The treatment was laid out in randomized complete block design (RCBD) replicated 3 times. Result showed that although two hoe weedings resulted in the highest yield, percentage  yield increase over check and income in both years, it was less beneficial and profitable than butachlor at 1.5 and 2.0 kg a.i /ha in 2006 and metolachlor at 1.5 kg a.i./ha in both years. Therefore, metolachlor at 1.5 kg a.i. /ha was more economical, profitable and beneficial than two hoe weedings in the production of sesame in the Sudan Savanna Zone of Nigeria.   Key words: Cropping seasons, pre-emergence herbicides, millet-cowpea intercrop.