Effect of Integrated Weed Management Practices on Weeds Infestation, Yield Components and Yield of Cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] in Eastern Wollo, Northern Ethiopia
Journal Title: Journal of Experimental Agriculture International - Year 2015, Vol 7, Issue 5
Abstract
Cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] is usually infested and its yield is adversely affected by a number of weed species that compete with the crop from germination to harvest, affecting the crop yield adversely. Therefore, an experiment was conducted at Sirinka and Jari, northern Ethiopia during the 2013 main cropping season (July-October). The objectives were to assess the effect of pre-emergence s-metolachlor and pendimethalin on weeds, and growth, yield components and yield of cowpea and to investigate the possibilities of supplementing low doses of herbicides with hand weeding for effective and cost effective weed management. There were 12 treatments comprising: s-metolachlor (1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 kg ha-1); pendimethalin (1.0, 1.3 and 1.6 kg ha-1), s-metolachlor at 1.0 kg ha-1 + hand-weeding at 5 weeks after crop emergence (WAE), pendimethalin at 1.0 kg ha-1 + handweeding at 5 WAE, one handweeding at 2 WAE, two handweeding at 2 and 5 WAE, weed free and weedy checks. The treatments were arranged in randomized complete block design with three replications. 78.6% of the weeds comprised in the experimental sites were the broadleaved. At 20 DAE, application of 2.0 kg ha-1s-metolachlor at both locations resulted in the lowest broadleaved weeds, sedge and total weed density. Pendimethalin failed to control Commelina benghalensis and Xanthium strumarium. At 55 DAE, low rate of s-metolachlor and pendimethalin when superimposed with one hand weeding were as effective as complete weed free treatment in reducing the broadleaved weeds and sedge density. The minimum weed dry weight was registered with the application 2.0 kg ha-1 of s-metolachlor in both locations; however, at 55 days and harvest, weeds accumulated significantly lower dry weight due to1.0 kg ha-1 s-metolachlor 1.0 kg ha-1 pendimethalin superimposed with hand weeding at both locations. The interaction of location with weed management practices was significant on days to 50% flowering and physiological maturity of the crop, number of pods plant-1, grain and aboveground dry biomass yield and yield loss. The maximum grain yield (4277 kg ha-1) was obtained in complete weed free treatment at Sirinka which was statistically equivalent with complete weed free and two hand weeding treatments at Jari and Sirinka experimental sites respectively. Due to weed infestation throughout the crop growth, the highest yield loss (70.8%) was recorded at Jari while it was 47.5% at Sirinka. The highest gross benefit was obtained with the application of 1.0 kg ha-1 of s-metolachlor superimposed with hand weeding followed by two hand-weeding at 2 and 5 WAE. Therefore, managing the weeds with the application of 1.0 kg ha-1 of s- metolachlor + hand weeding and hoeing 35 DAE proved to be the most profitable practice. However, under the condition of labour constraint and timely availability of the herbicide, pre emergence application of 2.0 kg ha-1 of s-metolachlor should be used to preclude the yield loss and to ensure maximum benefits.
Authors and Affiliations
Getachew Mekonnen, J. J. Sharma, Lisanework Negatu, Tamado Tana
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP354280
- DOI 10.9734/AJEA/2015/14513
- Views 100
- Downloads 0
Evaluation of Guinea White Yam (Dioscorea rotundata Poir.) for Yield and Yield Components in Nigeria
A study was conducted at the Experimental Farm of the Cross River Basin Development Authority, Oku-Iboku, Itu in Akwa Ibom State in 2012 and 2013 cropping seasons. The aim was to evaluate seven genotypes of guinea white...
Effect of Transplanting Time and Rainfall on the Establishment, Growth, Development and Yield of Oil Palm in the Semi-deciduous Forest Zone of Ghana
Oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq) establishment, growth and yield depend to a large extent on physical and climatic characteristics of the environment in which the palm is established. A ten (10) year researcher managed...
Profitability of Yam-Maize-Soybean Enterprise among Resource Poor Farmers Using Herbicide for Weed Control in the Northern Guinea Savanna
This study examined the profitability of herbicide weed control in yam-maize-soybean enterprise, factors influencing it, as well as the problems encountered by the farmers using this weed control measures. The study was...
Correlation and Path Coefficient Analysis of Yield Components in NERICA Mutant Rice Lines under Rainfed Conditions
Morphological and yield related traits of 31 genotypes were studied to ascertain the genetic and phenotypic correlations among some morphological traits and contribution of these traits to the yield under rainfed conditi...
Factors Affecting the Involvement of Women in Income Generating Activities in Sabon-Gari Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Nigeria
This study examines factors affecting the involvement of women in income generating activities. Data for this study were obtained by the use of structured questionnaire. A total of 120 respondents were interviewed consis...