SPROUT-LESS Performance
Experimental Results
Measurements of SLHA performance since 1998 show that the tool is highly effective for weed control.
In this particular study, progress in regrowth of both unwanted crop trees and competitive species in
a black spruce plantation were measured. Results show that
without the tool, competitive species reach heights of an average of 165% of the crop trees, thus smothering them.
The amout of pesticide used can be controlled in order to ensure adequate reminants of vegetation for browsing
fauna such as deer and moose. A more detailed report is available
here
Sprout-Less Herbicide Applicator requires a smaller amount of herbicide per
hectare than do other methods of stump-regrowth control (table 1).
Comparison of herbicide dosage per hectare using various techniques including
the Sprout-Less Herbicide Applicator:
| Herbicide |
Technique |
Concentration (%) |
Net herbicide required (l/ha) |
Remarks |
|
|
|
Stem density/ha |
|
| 12 000 |
40 000 |
| Killex ® |
Broadcast |
|
12.50 |
|
Net herbicide use |
| Killex ® |
SLHA |
100 |
0.72 |
|
Experimental |
| Vision ® |
SL Herb. Applicator |
50 |
061 |
1.60 |
|
| Vision ® |
SL Herb. Applicator |
75 |
0.54 |
1.80 |
|
| Vision ® |
SL Herb. Applicator |
100 |
0.50 |
|
|
| Vision ® |
EZJECT Lance*** |
50 |
2.50 |
|
Net herbicide use |
| Vision ® |
Broadcast |
|
3.00 |
|
Arial or ground
Net herbicide use |
| Vision ® |
Broadcast |
|
6.00 |
|
Arial or ground
maximum |
| Release ® |
Back-pack sprayer |
20 to 30 (1) |
recomm. dosage 20 to 30 l/ha |
|
|
| Release ® |
SL Herb. Applicator |
100 |
1.50 |
2.00 |
Experimental |
| Release ® |
SL Herb. Applicator |
50 |
|
2.00 |
Experimental |
Note: The data above are obtained from
sampling plots established during 1995 and 1996 test plots. Field operations
require at least 50% higher than the dose mentioned above.
Killex ® is registered trade-mark of Monsanto
USA, Monsanto Canada is registered user. Active ingredients: 95 g/l 2-4-D; 50
g/l Mecoprop; 9 g/l Dicamba. Used for Experimental comparison
only
Vision ® and Round-up ® are registered
trade-marks of Monsanto USA, Monsanto Canada is registered user. Active
ingredient: Glyphosate 359 g/l.
EZJECT Lance (TM): It works on capsule
injection principal without removing the trees.
Release ® or Garlon 4 ®: Registered Trade Mark
of Dow Elanco USA, Dow Agro-Sceince Canada is licenced user. Active ingredient:
Triclopyr 480 g/l. Concentration
used outside the label recommendations are for experimental purposes
only).
Operational advantages
Feric published the results of their study conducted in 1998 on the Sprout Less tool during field operations. To view a synopsis of
their report, click here
Economical value and
savings potential
The SLHA is also economically advantageous in addition to being environmentally advantageous.
The potential savings of stump treatment operation costs include:
- Reduction of labor cost: The brush cutting and herbicide application are
carried out in one step
- Reduction of herbicide consumption due to a strictly-on-target
application
- Expansion of daily operation time due to independence from temperature and
wind conditions
- Expansion of seasonal operation time due to the ability to work during the
growth season of sensitive species, as well as during dormant season
- Reduced maintenance, operational and administration costs
- The SLHA provides a complementary opportunity to be added to
traditional herbicide application works, or to the brush cutting operation..
Table 4 shows an example to calculate the potential savings. Note:
the Sprout-Less Herbicide
Applicator has been compared with brush saw and back-pack spraying
in repeated brush saw operations.
EXAMPLE
FOR CALCULATING THE POTENTIAL OF SAVINGS FOR COMPANIES DIRECTLY USING THE
SPROUT-LESS HERBICIDE APPLICATOR FOR BRUSH-SAWS.
Cost Saving Potential of the
SPROUT-LESS Herbicide Applicator ($/ha)
Note: This is an
example only |
|
Type of
Operation Forest
Management |
Brush Saw
only |
Herbicide
applic. labor |
Herbicide
solution cost |
TOTAL
'$/unit area |
SAVINGS
Potential
(%) |
| Brush Saw + Backpack Spraying |
648.00 |
463.00 |
278.00 |
1389.00 |
|
| Brush Saw + SLHA |
648.00 |
194.40 |
30.00 |
872.40 |
37 |
| '(Plantations / sensitive sites)
Brush saw, the first
time |
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.00 |
0.00 |
648.00 |
|
| Brush Saw , 2nd time |
500.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
500.00 |
|
| Total Brush Saw operations |
|
|
|
1148.00 |
|
| Brush Saw + SLHA |
648.00 |
194.40 |
30.00 |
872.40 |
24 |
| '(Natural young stands or plantations) |
|
|
|
|
|
| Electric Power line or
other
industrial brush control |
|
|
|
|
|
| Brush saw, the first
time |
550.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
550.00 |
|
| Brush Saw, 5 or 6 years later |
600.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
600.00 |
|
| Total Brush Saw Operations |
|
|
|
1150.00 |
|
| Brush saw + SLHA |
550.00 |
165.00 |
30.00 |
745.00 |
35 |
SLHA = Sprout-Less Herbicide Applicator
Notes:
1: Sensitive sites: sites where a
broadcast herbicide application is not possible such as near habitation,
hardwoods and larix plantations and other species treated during the
growth season; |
| 2: Operation cost is based
on average stem density of 25,000 to 30,000 stems per hectare, with
average stump diameter of 4 to 5 centimeters |
| 3: Utility and industrial
land clearing may realize long term savings by stem diameter and stem
count reductions, even with higher potential of re-growth due to full sun
light.. |
| 4- A contractor may add
extra cost of: Special training, certification, insurance, equipment
return on investment , higher
labor cost (for motivation) and
supervision. |
|
