The effects of seed covering method and weed type on the economics of alternative weed control practices for bread wheat in Arsi region
1997
Regasa Ensermu | Mohamed Hasena (IAR, Addis Abeba (Ethiopia)) | Oumer Taha
Planting wheat with the local plow results in poor stand establishment due to irregular or uneven placement of seeds. An oxen-drawn spike tooth harrow was developed during the era of the Chilalo Agricultural Development Unit (and later modified by the Asella Rural Technology Promotion Center) to alleviate this problem. The use of the implement for seed covering has reportedly reduced weed density by 20 percent and increased wheat yield by 20-30 percent relative to use of the local plow in 1994/95, trials were laid out on six farmers' fields in Asasa and Gonder zones of Arsi region to confirm the advantages of the implement. Significant grain yield differences were detected between the seed covering methods (P caps less than 0.05 and weed control practices P caps less than 0.1). Seed covering with the spike tooth harrow and the use of 2,4-D for control of broad leaved weeds and puma super for grass weeds was found to be the most economical combination with a marginal rate of return well above the minimum acceptable rate. The economic and yield advantage of chemical weed control over hand weeding was compromised in areas where Bromus spp. was dominant and the weed spectrum.
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