WEED CONTROL EFFECTIVENESS OF COVER CROPS AND WEEDING REGIMES IN MAIZE (Zea mays L.)
Keywords:
Maize, Weed intensity, weeding frequency, biological control, efficiencyAbstract
The effectiveness of cover crops in controlling weed infestation varies with variety and weed intensity. The weed control effectiveness of three cover crops: sweet potato, forage cowpea and mucuna were investigated between 2009 and 2012 in a split plot arrangement of a randomized complete block design with four replications. Main plot was weeding regimes of once at 3 weeks after planting and twice at 3 and 6 weeks after planting. Cropping systems of sole crops and maize intercropped with cover crops were the sub-plots. Field experiments were conducted at Ilora Outstation of the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training, Moor Plantation, Ibadan. The cover crops were introduced two weeks after maize was sown. Generally the intercrops had reduced weed biomass relative to sole crops. A progressive weed biomass reduction was observed from 2009 to 2012. The intercrops in one and two weeding regimes maintained a similar trend where weed biomass from maize + cowpea > maize + sweet potato > maize + mucuna. Maize yielded higher in response to two weedings as observed in sole maize (1879.8 kg/ha) and maize + sweet potato intercrop (1690.5 kg/ha) during 2009 cropping season. The associated crops in the intercrops responded better to a second weeding than the maize crop. Sole sweet potato yield was 67% higher with one weeding and 82% higher with two weeding regimes than its yield from the intercrop. Yields from the sole crops were higher than the intercrops, irrespective of the weeding regime. Sweet potato spreads rapidly, covering the ground and suppressing weeds as well as providing additional income for the farmer. A good option of managing weeds effectively in maize cropping is sweet potato intercropping and two weeding regimes at 3 and 6 weeks after sowing.
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