Effect of different weed management methods on grain yield of maize in Western Ethiopia
1995
Tadious, T. | Bogale, T.
Weeds are a constant and important problem for farmers producing maize in western Ethiopia (Kefa and Illubabor Region) and can be tackled by different forms of crop management. Trials were conducted from 1986-1988 and 1989-1990 at Jima and Metu sub center on two composite (UCB and UCA) late varieties to determine the optimum frequency of hand weeding, the critical period of weed competition, the content of yield loss, and to compare different cultural weeding methods on maize. In general the major weed species observed at both locations were Gizotia scabra, Galinsoga parviflora, Datura stramonium, Amaranthus spp., Nicandra physaloides, Ageratum conyzoides, Plantago lanceolata, Convolvulus spp., Cynodon dactylon, Digitaria scalarum, Eleusine indica and Cyperus spp, and other broadleaf and grass spp. Between Melko and Metu the weed population and severity of weed infestation were different. There were significant differences in mean yield with the treatments (P'0.01) and the highest crop damage and consequently the lowest mean grain yield, 1.91 t ha-l was obtained from zero weeding. Other combinations of ox cultivation, hand pulling and hoe weeding, ranged from 3.77 t ha-l to 4.23 t ha-l. The yield loss due to weed competition in maize was 30.4 percent in Jima and 57.2 percent in Metu. However, depending on the severity of weed infestation and the weed population, hand weeding twice (hoeing followed by pulling) at 2 and 4 weeks, and three times hand weeding at 2, 4, and 6 weeks after emergence was found to be economical for Melko and Metu areas respectively. Hand pulling at 3-4, 5-7, and 8-10 leaf stages, or hoeing by hand and oxen cultivation between rows, "shilshallo," is an alternative method of weed management.
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