The Economic Impact of Site-Specific Weed Control

In order to evaluate economic and ecological benefits, site-specific weed control was realised in a 4-year experiment on five fields with a GPS-guided sprayer. An average of 54% of the herbicides could be saved. Savings were strongly dependent on crop and year. For grass weed herbicides, the savings were 90% in winter cereals, 78% in maize, and 36% in sugar beet. For herbicides against broadleaf weeds, 60% were saved in winter cereals, 11% in maize, and 41% in sugar beet. The monetary savings resulting from the reduction in herbicide use varied between the crops, depending on the amount of herbicides saved and the price of the herbicides. In maize, savings of 42euro/ha were realised, in winter wheat of 32euro/ha, in winter barley of 27euro/ha and in sugar beet of 20euro/ha. Large sections of the fields needed herbicide treatment significantly less frequently. In those areas where weed density remained below the weed control threshold, flora and fauna were allowed to establish largely without disturbance.