Alternative weed control methods for food barley in the Bale highlands
2005
Kedir Nefo | Tilahun Geleto | Feyissa Tadesse
Farmers plough their fields repeatedly to control weeds. This exposes the soil to a high risk of soil erosion and decreases soil fertility. With minimum tillage, a crop can be produced if there is an alternative means to control weeds. This study was executed in two districts of the Bale highlands during the main rainy season of 1997 and 1998 to identify the economical and effective weed control options for the production of the local food barley cultivar, Aruso. Efficacy of weed control measures varied from year to year and from site to site due to variations in weather conditions and weed growth patterns before and after control of target weeds and better grain yields were obtained. For the effectiveness of glyphosate, an optimum gap between application and planting were important. Granstar 75 DF (tribenuron methyl) and 2,4-D controlled most of the broadleaf weed species when applied during an active and succulent growth stage, except for Galium spurium. 2,4-D produced the best grain yield by increasing biomass yield and number of kernels squared -m, which had a strong association with and contribution to grain yield. In general, when there was sufficient moisture before control application and up to grain filling, 2,4-D was the most economical treatment under high broadleaf weed infestation As an alternative, selective hand weeding and tribenuron methyl can be used to avoid continuous use of the same herbicide. Glyphosate-based minimum tillage resulted in the highest grain yield under normal rainfall amount and distribution, but it was not economical for local food barley production under present market price conditions.
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