Effect of Maize –Legume Intercrop and Fertilizer on Weed Suppression and Maize Performance in South Eastern, Nigeria

Maize is one of the most commonly cultivated arable crops in the rain forest zone of South Eastern Nigeria. Globally soil fertility and weed pressure are the most important constraints limiting increase productivity of Maize especially in Sub Saharan Africa (SSA). Unavailability and cost of inorganic fertilizer as well as cost of labour for weeding have engendered low productivity of maize. Hence this trial was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of maize-legume systems on weed suppression and maize performance. The trial was carried out at the Teaching and Research Farm of Faculty of Agriculture, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria located within latitude 04°54’N and longitude 6°55’ E). The trial was conducted between April 4th and July 5th, 2017. The experiment was a 3 x 3 factorial arrangement fitted into a randomized complete block design (RCBD) consisting of 3 types of legume systems (Mucuna pruriens, Lablab purpurens and No legume) and three levels of NPK 15:15:15 fertilizer (0, 15, and 30 kg NPK/ha). The 9 treatment combinations were replicated thrice to give 27 plots. Data collected were on maize yield and yield components, weed and legume parameters at 4, 8 and 16 weeks after sowing (WAS). Result showed that legume significantly reduced weed biomass when compared to the natural fallow. The effect of weed biomass reduction was Mucuna 34.8% >Lablab 29.2%. The legume system significantly suppressed weed compared to natural fallow and the weed suppression ability average 56% and 30% respectively for Mucuna and Lablab whether or not they received NPK. Result of this trial also revealed that within 8 weeks after sowing legumes (8 WASL) 26% N and 22% N can be harvested by integrating this legume cover in cropping system and that NPK application has little or no effect in the performance of these legumes. Mucuna was not sensitive to fertilizer application while Lablab responded to fertilizer application. Maize was sensitive to Mucuna due to early integration; hence, it is recommended that these legumes be integrated at six weeks after sowing maize.

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Maize and Weed Response to Legume Cover Short Fallow and Fertilizer in Port Harcourt South Eastern Nigeria

Journal of Applied Life Sciences International ◽

10.9734/jalsi/2019/v20i230078 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 1-13

Author(s):

E. N. Nzeako ◽

U. E. Udensi ◽

S. Omovbude ◽

J. A. Orluchukwu

Keyword(s):

Cover Crop ◽

Block Design ◽

Dry Weight ◽

Weed Suppression ◽

Mucuna Pruriens ◽

Eastern Region ◽

South Eastern ◽

Port Harcourt ◽

Natural Fallow ◽

Legume Cover Crop

Field experiment was conducted in Faculty of Agriculture Teaching and Research Farm University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, South Eastern Region of Nigeria between March and September 2017; to evaluate the effect of planted short fallow legume cover crop on maize performance and weed growth. The experimental design was a 5 x 2 factorial in randomized complete block design (RCBD) in a plot size of 4 m x 4 m with four replicates. The treatments consisted of four different legumes cover species fallow and a natural fallow as follows: Mucuna [Velvet bean (Mucuna pruriens (L.) DC var. utilis), Lablab (Lablab purpureus (L.) Sweet), Pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan (L.) Mill spp)], Centrosema (Centrosema pascuorum (L.) and a natural fallow (No Legume Cover) and two levels of inorganic fertilizer as NPK 15: 15: 15 (0 and 15 Kg ha-1 NPK). All legume cover growth characteristics were negatively correlated with weed cover and weed dry weight (r = -0.58 and r = -0.59 at P=0.0001). Legume dry weight had a positive correlation with all maize parameter (r =0.64 at P=0.0001) except for stem diameter (r = -0.43 at P=0.0051). Similarly, all weed attributes were negatively correlated to maize parameters. Maize height was better in plots that received short fallow legumes than natural fallow. There was increase in soil Nitrogen level after 10 weeks of fallow. Legume cover crop short fallow has the potentials for weed suppression, soil fertility and productivity improvement in maize culture.

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Screening Cover Crops for Weed Suppression in Conservation Agriculture

Sustainable Agriculture Research ◽

10.5539/sar.v6n4p124 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 6 (4) ◽

pp. 124

Author(s):

Mutondwa M. Phophi ◽

Paramu L. Mafongoya ◽

Alfred O. Odindo ◽

Lembe S. Magwaza

Keyword(s):

Cover Crops ◽

Smallholder Farmers ◽

Block Design ◽

Biomass Accumulation ◽

Conservation Agriculture ◽

Weed Suppression ◽

Mucuna Pruriens ◽

Lablab Purpureus ◽

Velvet Bean ◽

Weed Biomass

The use of herbicides amongst smallholder farmers is minimal because herbicides are expensive and they require specialized application equipments. Weeds are problematic in conservation agriculture where herbicides are expensive for smallholder farmers. The use of cover crops can help to suppress weed growth and development by creating an environment which is not suitable for weeds survival. Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp) dolichos lablab (Lablab purpureus L.) and velvet bean (Mucuna pruriens (L.) DC) were evaluated for biomass accumulation and weed suppression under conservation agriculture system in two contrasting experimental sites: Ukulinga and Bergville in KwaZulu-Natal. Bare plot and herbicide treatments served as controls. Treatments were laid in a randomized complete block design, replicated three times. Mucuna pruriens (L.) DC had the highest biomass accumulation in both sites Bergville (0.72 t/ha) and Ukulinga (1.59 t/ha). Cowpea had the lowest biomass accumulation in Bergville (0.59 t/ha) and lablab was the lowest in Ukulinga (0.88 t/ha). Lablab was effective in suppressing weed biomass in Bergville (P < 0.05). Cowpea performed best in suppressing weed biomass in Ukulinga (P < 0.05). The results suggest that cowpea and lablab can be effective for weed suppression and therefore can be recommended for use in conservation agricultural systems.

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Spring-planted cover crops for weed control in soybean

Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems ◽

10.1017/s1742170521000107 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-8

Author(s):

Katja Koehler-Cole ◽

Christopher A. Proctor ◽

Roger W. Elmore ◽

David A. Wedin

Keyword(s):

Weed Control ◽

Biomass Production ◽

Cover Crops ◽

Weed Management ◽

Block Design ◽

Weed Suppression ◽

Crop Species ◽

Cold Temperatures ◽

Weed Biomass ◽

Small Grains

Abstract Replacing tillage with cover crops (CC) for weed management in corn (Zea mays L.)-soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] systems with mechanical weed control has many soil health benefits but in the western Corn Belt, CC establishment after harvest is hampered by cold temperatures, limited labor and few compatible CC species. Spring-planted CC may be an alternative, but information is lacking on suitable CC species. Our objective was to evaluate four spring-planted CC with respect to biomass production and weed suppression, concurrent with CC growth and post-termination. Cover crop species tested were oat (Avena sativa L.), barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), brown mustard [Brassica juncea (L.) Czern.] and yellow mustard (Brassica hirta Moench). They were compared to no-CC treatments that were either tilled pre- and post-planting of soybean (no-CC tilled) or not tilled at all (no-CC weedy). CC were planted in late March to early April, terminated 52–59 days later using an undercutter, and soybean was planted within a week. The experiment had a randomized complete block design with four replications and was repeated for 3 years. Mustards and small grains produced similar amounts of biomass (1.54 Mg ha−1) but mustard biomass production was more consistent (0.85–2.72 Mg ha−1) than that of the small grains (0.35–3.81 Mg ha−1). Relative to the no-CC weedy treatment, mustards suppressed concurrent weed biomass in two out of 3 years, by 31–97%, and small grains suppressed concurrent weed biomass in only 1 year, by 98%. Six weeks after soybean planting, small grains suppressed weed biomass in one out of 3 years, by 79% relative to the no-CC weedy treatment, but mustards did not provide significant weed suppression. The no-CC tilled treatment suppressed weeds each year relative to the no-CC weedy treatment, on average 87%. The ineffective weed control by CC reduced soybean biomass by about 50% six weeks after planting. While spring-planted CC have the potential for pre-plant weed control, they do not provide adequate early season weed suppression for soybean.

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Weed suppression ability of six soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] varieties under natural weed development conditions

Acta Agronomica Hungarica ◽

10.1556/aagr.61.2013.1.5 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 61 (1) ◽

pp. 43-53 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

M. Rezvani ◽

F. Zaefarian ◽

M. Jovieni

Keyword(s):

Competitive Ability ◽

Block Design ◽

Weed Suppression ◽

Maximum Height ◽

Competitive Balance ◽

Weed Biomass ◽

Randomized Complete Block Design ◽

Weed Suppressive Ability ◽

Glycine Max L ◽

Hand Weeding

The weed suppression ability of different soybean varieties was studied in a field experiment in 2010. The experiment was carried out in a randomized complete block design using a split-plot arrangement with 3 replicates. The main plots were either weedfree (hand weeding) or infested with the natural weed population (weedy). Six soybean varieties (Sari, Telar, Sahar, Hill, 032 and 033) were randomized within the main plots. The relative biomass total (RBT), relative crowding coefficient (RCCcw) and competitive balance index (Cb) were recorded and were regressed against crop traits under weedy conditions. The results showed a reduction in the maximum height of the soybean varieties under weedy conditions. No significant relationship was found between weed biomass and the canopy height of the varieties. Competition indices and the weed suppressive ability of soybean showed intergenotypic variation in competitive ability between the varieties tested. Weed pressure reduced the yield and yield components of all the soybean varieties. Under weedy conditions the soybean variety Hill gave a higher economic yield than the others, with high weed biomass suppression ability.

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Screening Cover Crops for Soil Macrofauna Abundance and Diversity in Conservation Agriculture

Sustainable Agriculture Research ◽

10.5539/sar.v6n4p142 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 6 (4) ◽

pp. 142 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Mutondwa M. Phophi ◽

Paramu L. Mafongoya ◽

Alfred O. Odindo ◽

Lembe S. Magwaza

Keyword(s):

Species Diversity ◽

Cover Crops ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Block Design ◽

Soil Health ◽

Conservation Agriculture ◽

Mucuna Pruriens ◽

Velvet Bean ◽

Soil Macrofauna ◽

Natural Fallow

Soil health is important for sustainable crop production. Frequent soil cultivation has a negative impact on soil health, resulting in loss of soil macrofauna. Conservation agriculture can be practiced to improve soil health by improving the abundance of soil macrofauna. Three leguminous cover crops were tested for soil macrofauna abundance Vigna unguiculata, (cowpea) Lablab purpureus L. (dolichos lablab) and Mucuna pruriens (L.) DC (velvet bean). The experiment was done in two contrasting experimental sites of KwaZulu-Natal (Ukulinga and Bergville) in a randomised complete block design replicated three times. Bare plot and herbicide treatments served as controls. Natural fallow was used to make a comparison to all the other treatments. Cowpea (39 species) had the highest soil macrofauna abundance in Bergville. Lablab (57 species) had the highest soil macrofauna in Ukulinga. Cowpea (0.75 species) and lablab (0.61 species) improved soil macrofauna diversity respectively in Bergville. Natural fallow (0.46 species) had the lowest soil macrofauna diversity in Bergville. Lablab (0.56 species) and velvet bean (0.74 species) had high soil macrofauna species diversity in Ukulinga. Bare plot (0.3 species) had the lowest soil macrofauna species diversity respectively. It can be concluded that cowpea and lablab can be recommended for improving soil macrofauna abundance in conservation agriculture.

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Rolled Mixtures of Barley and Cereal Rye for Weed Suppression in Cover Crop–based Organic No-Till Planted Soybean

Weed Science ◽

10.1017/wsc.2016.23 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 65 (3) ◽

pp. 426-439 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Jeffrey A. Liebert ◽

Antonio DiTommaso ◽

Matthew R. Ryan

Keyword(s):

Cover Crops ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Block Design ◽

Weed Suppression ◽

Management Tool ◽

Weed Biomass ◽

Cereal Rye ◽

No Till ◽

Lower Cover ◽

Crop Biomass

Maximizing cereal rye biomass has been recommended for weed suppression in cover crop–based organic no-till planted soybean; however, achieving high biomass can be challenging, and thick mulch can interfere with soybean seed placement. An experiment was conducted from 2012 to 2014 in New York to test whether mixing barley and cereal rye would (1) increase weed suppression via enhanced shading prior to termination and (2) provide acceptable weed suppression at lower cover crop biomass levels compared with cereal rye alone. This experiment was also designed to assess high-residue cultivation as a supplemental weed management tool. Barley and cereal rye were seeded in a replacement series, and a split-block design with four replications was used with management treatments as main plots and cover crop seeding ratio treatments (barley:cereal rye, 0:100, 50:50, and 100:0) as subplots. Management treatments included high-residue cultivation and standard no-till management without high-residue cultivation. Despite wider leaves in barley, mixing the species did not increase shading, and cereal rye dominated cover crop biomass in the 50:50 mixtures in 2013 and 2014, representing 82 and 93% of the biomass, respectively. Across all treatments, average weed biomass (primarily common ragweed, giant foxtail, and yellow foxtail) in late summer ranged from 0.5 to 1.1 Mg ha−1in 2013 and 0.6 to 1.3 Mg ha−1in 2014, and weed biomass tended to decrease as the proportion of cereal rye, and thus total cover crop biomass, increased. However, soybean population also decreased by 29,100 plants ha−1for every 1 Mg ha−1increase in cover crop biomass in 2013 (P=0.05). There was no relationship between cover crop biomass and soybean population in 2014 (P=0.35). Soybean yield under no-till management averaged 2.9 Mg ha−1in 2013 and 2.6 Mg ha−1in 2014 and was not affected by cover crop ratio or management treatment. Partial correlation analyses demonstrated that shading from cover crops prior to termination explained more variation in weed biomass than cover crop biomass. Our results indicate that cover crop management practices that enhance shading at slightly lower cover crop biomass levels might reduce the challenges associated with excessive biomass production without sacrificing weed suppression in organic no-till planted soybean.

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Effectiveness of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) living mulch on weed suppression and yield of maize (Zea mays L.)

Open Agriculture ◽

10.1515/opag-2021-0031 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 6 (1) ◽

pp. 489-497

Author(s):

Mustapha Mas-Ud ◽

Fuseini Dokurugu ◽

James Seutra Kaba

Keyword(s):

Block Design ◽

Canopy Cover ◽

Maize Yield ◽

Weed Suppression ◽

Northern Ghana ◽

Growth Stages ◽

Living Mulch ◽

Weed Biomass ◽

Maize Varieties ◽

Cowpea Varieties

Abstract Weed control plays a vital role in achieving higher maize yield. We tested the hypothesis that interseeding cowpea as living mulch with maize will reduce biomass and diversity of weeds, and improve soil physical properties and maize yield. In 2017/2018 cropping seasons, a 2 × 4 factorial experiment was laid in a randomized complete block design with three replications at the Savelugu Municipality of Northern Ghana. The factorial treatment consisted of three cowpea varieties interseeded with two maize genotypes and a control (maize with no living mulch). Our result showed that, in both seasons, weed biomass and diversity, soil temperature, and grain yield were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in control plots than in cowpea living mulch plots at all growth stages of both maize varieties. However, maize growth was not affected by weeds at tasseling. We established that cowpea varieties as living mulch in maize cropping have similar effect on soil moisture and temperature but have varying degrees of suppressing weeds and improving maize yield. The cowpea living mulch had weed biomass of 0.5 t ha−1 compared to 2.6 t ha−1 in the control. In addition, living mulch plots had maize grain of 2 t ha−1 and stover yield of 3 t ha−1 compared to 0.98 and 2 t ha−1 respectively in the control. In conclusion, choosing the appropriate time for intercropping living mulches and selection of plant species (growth and canopy cover) for living mulch are essential in suppressing growth of weeds.

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Influence of Manuring on Growth and Yield of Tomato Varieties in Akure, a Rain Forest Zone of South West Nigeria

Journal of Experimental Agriculture International ◽

10.9734/jeai/2020/v42i930595 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 147-157

Author(s):

Oladitan Titilayo ◽

Oluwasemire Olatunji ◽

Agele Samuel

Keyword(s):

Block Design ◽

Organic Fertilizer ◽

Mineral Fertilizer ◽

Fertilizer Application ◽

Fruit Yield ◽

Growth And Yield ◽

Soil Fertility Management ◽

Forest Zone ◽

Yield Responses ◽

And Control

Tomato a highly nutritious and income relevance crop. The optimum productivity is constrained by a number of factors such as soil fertility management. A field experiment was conducted at Teaching and Research Farm, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria between December 2012 to April 2013 (irrigated) and March – August 2013 (rainfed) to investigate the effect manuring on the growth and yield of tomato varieties. Four manuring sources (Organic, Organo-mineral, Urea and No fertilizer) and four tomato varieties (Beske, Ibadan local, Roma and UC) laid out as a randomized complete block design in a factorial arrangement and replicated three times. Results showed that manuring influenced on set of flowering in tomato, organic fertilizer prolonged day to anthesis (22.72 day) closely followed by organomineral (22.49 days) while control (no fertilizer) was earliest (20.88 days). Beske significantly showed earliness to flowering, Ibadan local and Roma were delayed but had similar flowering dates (P≤ 0.05). The varieties had distinct fruit yield responses to fertilizer application, fruit produced were in order of Beske, Ibadan local and UC (721.9;626.4) g;(683.6; 696.2) g; (550.0; 463.6) g (384.4; 431.5) g for rainfed and irrigation respectively. Varietal effect was significant on fruit yields for irrigated, Beske recorded heaviest fruit yield (6.03g) followed by Ibadan local (4.72), Roma (2.6) and UC (2.14). Harvested fruit among the varieties in both seasons were (3978.5t/ha;3484.9t/ha;1229.8t/ha and 985.2 t/ha) and (3947.2t/ha; 3452.8t/ha; 1197.8t/ha; 953.2t/ha) for Beske, Ibadan local, Roma and UC respectively. Fertilizer application were significant for both season on harvested fruits weight in magnitude order of Organomineral, organic fertilizer urea and control (3535.9;3503.9t/ha),organic fertilizer (2935.2;2903.2t/ha), Urea (2078.8;2047.4t/ha) and control (1128.0;1096.5t/ha). Beske and Ibadan local varieties performed better in the rainforest zone of Nigeria. Organic fertilizer sources complimented with mineral fertilizer timely applied with good agronomic managements are measures to enhance growth and yield performance of tomato.

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Decomposition of cover crop mulch and weed control under a no-till system for organic maize

Bioscience Journal ◽

10.14393/bj-v35n5a2019-41836 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 35 (5) ◽

Author(s):

Lamara Freitas Brito ◽

João Carlos Cardoso Galvão ◽

Jeferson Giehl ◽

Steliane Pereira Coellho ◽

Silvane de Almeida Campos ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cover Crops ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Block Design ◽

Organic Production ◽

Weed Suppression ◽

Production Model ◽

Growth Stages ◽

Weed Biomass ◽

Jack Bean ◽

White Lupine

The decomposition dynamics of cover crop mulch influence the nutrient supply of successor crops and weed suppression. This is even more relevant in organic production systems, due to their limited use of chemical fertilizers and herbicides. As such, the aim of this study was to quantify biomass production, model the decomposition and N, P and K release of the mulch of different cover crops, and assess the weed suppression of cover crops in the form of mulch and in consortium with organic maize. A randomized block design was used, with a 7x2 factorial scheme (7 cover crop management strategies and 2 cropping systems - maize in monoculture and intercropped with jack bean) and 4 replicates. The management practices that produced the most biomass were white lupine intercropped with black oat and the white lupine, black oat and sunflower monocultures. The use of cover crops did not differ from manual weeding in terms of weed biomass, but did affect the relative importance (RI) of nutgrass. Additionally, maize intercropped with jack bean reduced weed biomass in subsequent crop growth stages.

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Effect of Sunflower Residues and Herbicide on Weed Suppression, Grain Yield and Economics of Transplanted Aman Rice

Bangladesh Agronomy Journal ◽

10.3329/baj.v23i1.50116 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 23 (1) ◽

pp. 47-58

Author(s):

SS Tanu ◽

P Biswas ◽

S Ahmed ◽

SC Samanta

Keyword(s):

Grain Yield ◽

Dry Matter ◽

Block Design ◽

Weed Suppression ◽

Cost Ratio ◽

Gross Margin ◽

Weed Density ◽

Benefit Cost Ratio ◽

Hand Weeding ◽

Environmentally Sound

A field experiment was conducted at Agronomy Field Laboratory, Patuakhali Science and Technology University, Dumki, Patuakhali from July 2018 to November 2018 to evaluate the effect of sunflower residues and herbicides on the yield and economic performance of transplanted Aman rice. Weed control methods tested were T1 = weedy check (Unweeded control), T2 = Weed-free check by hand weeding twice, T3 = Pendimethalin, T4 = Pretilachlor, T5 = Butachlor, T6 = Pyrazosulfuron ethyl, T7 = Bensulfuron methyl + Acetachlor, T8 = Bispyriback sodium, T9 = 2,4-D amine, T10 = MCPA, T11 = Sunflower residues, T12 = Sunflower residues + 100% Pyrazosulfuron ethyl, T13 = Sunflower residues + 75% Pyrazosulfuron ethyl, T14 = Sunflower residues + 50% Pyrazosulfuron ethyl. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with fourteen treatments replicated thrice. Weedy check registered significantly the highest total weed density (354.67 m-2) and total weed dry matter (51.81 g-2) while weed-free treatment by hand weeding twice recorded significantly the lowest total weed density (6.67 m-2) and total weed dry matter 0.49 g-2) . Weedy check produced the highest weed index (34.24%) and hand weeding produced the lowest. Among different herbicides applied alone, butachlor had the lowest total weed density (15 m-2) and total weed dry matter (6.43 g-2) after hand weeding. Hand weeding recorded the highest grain yield (5.14 t ha-1) which was statistically similar to pendimethalin, pretilachlor, butachlor, bensulfuron methyl + acetachlor and sunflower residues + 100% pyrazosulfuron ethyl. Higher grain yield was attributed to a higher number of panicle m-2, number of filled grains panicle-1 and 1000-grain weight. The highest gross margin (22955 Tk. ha-1) and benefit-cost ratio (1.32) were obtained from butachlor. Integration of sunflower residues with pyrazosulfuron ethyl produced effective weed suppression and satisfactory yield comparable to butachlor. Although the integration is less profitable than butachlor the farmers can use this technology as a feasible and environmentally sound approach in transplanted Aman rice field. Bangladesh Agron. J. 2020, 23(1): 47-58

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