International Journal of Agriculture and Agricultural Science Vol. 2 (1), pp. 018-020, September, 2015. © Advanced Scholars Journals

Full length Research paper

Effect of Weed Management Strategies on Maize Yield

Amosun J.O, *Aluko O.A. and O.N. Adeniyan

Institute of Agricultural Research and Training, Obafemi Awolowo University, P.M.B. 5029, Moor Plantation, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria.

Email:[email protected]

Accepted 26 June, 2015

Abstract

Weed management strategies differed in weed control rate and this influenced crop performance. An experiment was conducted at the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training, Moor-Plantation, Ibadan in 2006 and 2007, to compare four weed management strategies in maize farms. Maize + mucuna, Maize + sweet potato, Maize + primextra 5L/ha (1.45 kg/ha S-metolachlor + 1.85 kg/ha atrazine), Maize + handweeding at 3 and 6 weeks after planting. A  control experiment was set up where there was no weeding in the maize plot.Results showed that, weed control rating (WCR) was higher in maize + handweeding and maize + mucuna treatments in 2006. All the treatments applied had similar WCR in 2007. Treatments applied significantly reduced the density and biomass of Mimosa invisa and Euphorbia heterophylla in 2006. The disappearance of M. invisa from maize + Mucuna, Maize + herbicide and Maize + hand-weeding treatment in 2007 led to upsurge of E. heterophylla. Maize plant height was significantly different with tallest plants in Maize + hand-weeded plots and shortest in weedy control at 8 WAP in 2006. Grain yield was doubled in Maize + hand-weeded compared to other treatments in 2006.  Weed infestation accounted for 66% reduction in maize yield in weedy control compared to the average grain yield. Lower grain yield in maize + mucuna and maize + sweet potato may be due to inter-specific competition between maize and the cover crops. Density and biomass of M. invisa and E. heterophilla were reduced by over 60% at 12 WAP in maize + handweeded and maize + herbicide giving optimum grain yield.

Keywords: Mimosa invisa, Euphorbia heterophylla and weed control rating (WCR).