Evaluation of weed control methods in corn (Zea mays L.) in Cameroon.
1992
Daelemans A. | Ngouajio M.
Weeds constitute one of the most important constraints of corn (Zea mays L.) production in Cameroon. Different weed control methods are available, but manual weeding is most practiced by peasants who constitute the most important corn producers. Two field experiments were conducted on two corn varieties (COCA and Z290) in Dschang (Cameroon) to evaluate the efficacy of different weed control methods. These included the traditional manual weeding (one weeding and two weedings, preemergence herbicide application (pendimethalin and simazine), postemergence herbicide application (primisulfuron and primisulfuron + 2,4-D). Our results indicate that in situations of no control, there is a heavy weed infestation in corn with major species being: Mimosa pudica, Ageratum conyzoides, Cynodon dactylon and Brachiaria xantholeuca. Preemergence herbicides proved better weed control compared to postemergence herbicides. Pendimethalin provided over 75% control of grass species, followed by simazine with at least 65% control. When tank mixed with 2,4-D, the activity of primisulfuron on B. xantholeuca and C. dactylon was signicantly reduced. Postemergence herbicides resulted in more than 80% control of broadleaf species. A single manual weeding at the mid season provided grain yield comparable to double manual weeding (one early and the other late in the season). In terms of net income pendimenthalin and simazine proved to be more beneficial than primisulfuron and manual weeding.
Show more [+] Less [-]AGROVOC Keywords
Bibliographic information
This bibliographic record has been provided by Wolters Kluwer