Yield, Weed Control, and Labor-use Efficiency of by Farming Sudangrass (Sorghum sudanense (Piper) Stapf) without Tillage

Abstract

We evaluated the farming of sudangrass both in experimental and farmer’s fields with conventional tillage or without tillage. Firstly, we evaluated the yield of sudangrass and weeds under three treatments: tillage, no tillage and no herbicides, and no tillage with glyphosate application at the seeding, in experimental fields. There were no differences in dry matter yield of sudangrass between tillage and no-tillage farming systems. However, in the first crop, weed yield was significantly higher under the no-tillage, whereas the growth of weeds was controlled under the no tillage with glyphosate application treatment. These results showed that sudangrass yield is not reduced by not performing tillage, and that applying glyphosate to the emergence weeds is effective for controlling weeds. Secondly, to estimate the laborsaving effect of farming without tillage, we compared the working time at seeding between the conventional-tillage and no-tillage farming systems in farmer’s fields. Conventional tillage farming took 0.46h/10a, whereas farming without tillage required only 0.37h/10a, thereby reducing the working hours by 23%. Moreover, farming without tillage decreased diesel fuel consumption by 68%. In conclusion, farming sudangrass without tillage is a useful practice for reducing labor costs without reducing dry matter yield.