Cost analysis of EFRICAD equipment use in weed control in forest nurseries

In the forest nurseries with a large area, the effective weed control necessitates the use of modern mechanization techniques. In this study, we aimed at fighting against the weeds in seedbeds easily and quickly and in a more economical and effective way with the development of EFRICAD (Aegean Forestry Research Institute Computer Aided Design). There is no such a trailer type-seedbed spraying equipment that is used in the forest nurseries today. In this context, the EFRICAD equipment was tested in the Muradiye (Manisa) Forest Nursery, and cost analysis was performed and by comparing the cost of existing control methods, the economic returns of the equipment were calculated. Results of the plot application in a 50-decare (da) area in the nursery production program showed that the costs calculated in nursery for weed control on 1+0 year old bare-root seedlings, were 11.94 times higher in General Directorate of Forestry (GDF) unit prices and 12.56 times higher in local market conditions than the use of EFRICAD equipment. As a result, we suggest that using EFRICAD equipment on seedling beds in the forest nurseries for weed control will provide more efficient and productive results