Authors:
Uko, I.
, Ekeleme, F.
, Amadioha, A.C.
and Chukwu, L.I., Nigeria |
Abstract:
A field experiment was conducted during 2015 and 2016 cropping seasons at the National Root
Crop Research Institute, Umudike to evaluate the effect of vegetation residue management and
weed control methods on the emergence pattern and density of mimosa under two cassava
varieties of contrasting morpho-types. The sites used for the experiments were predominately
infested with M. invisa Mart. The experiment was laid out in split-split plot in randomized
complete block design with three replications. The main plot consisted of two residue
management practices (burning and no burning). The sub-plot consisted of two cassava varieties
of contrasting morphology (TME 419 and NR 8082) and the sub-sub-plot consisted of four weed
control methods (hoe weeding at 4, 8 and 12 weeks after planting (WAP), S-metolachlor (1160
g/ha) + atrazine (1480 g/ha) applied pre-emergence followed by hoe weeding at 12 and 16 WAP,
S-metolachlor (1160 g/ha) + atrazine (1480 g/ha) applied pre-emergence followed by
trifloxysulfuron sodium (8 g/ha) applied post-emergence at 8 WAP and Weedy check). Data
collected were subjected to analysis of variance and means separated using least significant
difference. The results obtained indicated that the different vegetation residue management
practices had no significant effect on the emergence pattern and density of M. invisa in cassava
farms. However, burning of vegetation residue in-situ caused rapid germination of M. invisa
before tillage operations compared to when the residues were incorporated into the soil whereas,
M. invisa density was excellently controlled by all the three weed control methods used in this
study up to 10 months after planting. |
