Journal of Applied Biosciences (J. Appl. Biosci.) [ISSN 1997 - 5902]
Volume 22: 1283 - 1288. Published October 7, 2009.
Preliminary evaluation of weed management method x crop variety interaction on weed control and okra yield
Smith, M.A.K.*, Oloyede K. O. and Adedeji A. B.
*Department of Crop, Soil and Pest Management, The Federal University of Technology, P.M.B. 704, Akure Nigeria.
*Corresponding author e-mail: mksmith@futa.edu.ng
ABSTRACT
Objectives: Seedling morphology influences the competitiveness of crop varieties against weeds. This study evaluated the additive effect of weed management method x crop variety interaction on weed control, which is desirable for sustainable yield and produce quality in vegetable crops.Methodology and results: The effects of weedy (wy), weed free (Wf), pendimethalin at 0.33 kg a.i./ha (P1), P1 + weeding 3 weeks after treatment (WAT, W3), P1 + W5 and P1 + atrazine at 2.05 kg a.i./ha (A1) on weed control and yield of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench) var. NHAE 47-4 and Jokoso were evaluated in a field experiment. Both NHAE and Jokoso carried diverse weed flora, which were predominantly annual broadleaves. More weeds infested Jokoso (75.9%) than NHAE (57.7%). Annual weeds were more in NHAE (85%) while perennial weeds were more in Jokoso (33.3%). Crop variety did not influence weed growth but early weed resurgence, and late weed cover and dry matter differed significantly with weed management method. P1+A1, P1 +W3 and Wf suppressed early-emerged weeds, late weed cover and weed dry matter most, compared to other weed management methods; early weed cover was most extensive in Wf. Crop growth and yield differed widely with both crop variety and weed management method. Seedling emergence, leaf and pod production were better in NHAE than in Jokoso. Emergence was best in P1+W5, followed by P1+W3, P1, Wf and Wy and poorest in P1+A1. Pods per plant and pod yield were highest in P1+W5 and Wf, and lowest in P1+W3, P1+A1, P1 and Wy. Differences in crop growth and yield response were primarily due to crop variety, weed association, effectiveness of weed management method and herbicide injury. Conclusion and application of findings: It is concluded that the use of pendimethalin-based integrated weed management system (IWM) will enhance production and farmers’ livelihood in polyculture-based small farms involving main crops of maize, sorghum, etc. and minor vegetable crops such as okra, Indian spinach, cabbage and onion.
Key words: Abelmoschus esculentus, variety, weed management.
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