Effect of Pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo) Sowing Density on Weed Dynamic and Water Yam (Dioscorea alata) Yield in Southeastern Nigeria.
Volume 2, Issue 3, Summer 2019, Pages 180-189
https://doi.org/10.26655/jrweedsci.2019.2.3.1
D.M Esang, O.R Akata, A.O Ikeh, A.C Opara
Abstract A field study was carried out in Uyo, Southeastern Nigeria in 2011 and 2012 to compare the potential of using pumpkin intercrop as a means of cost effective weed management in water yam (Dioscorea alata) farm. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design. The treatments were included no weeding, weeded (3x), chemical weeding (Raft 500) + supplemented hoe weeding at 12 weeks after planting (WAP), Dynamic population densities of 10,000, 20,000, 30,000 and 40,000 supplemented with one hoe weeding at 4 WAP. The result of the study showed that weeded 3x treatment performed better in all the growth and yield parameters assessed but not significantly (P<0.05) above the growth and yield values obtained from 30,000 population density of pumpkin. The weeded (3x) resulted to tuber yield of 22.81 and 20.75 t.ha-1 in 2011 and 2012 respectively, while, the 30,000 pumpkin population density had tuber yield of 19.81 and 19.35 t.ha-1 in 2011 and 2012 respectively. The least tuber yields 3.22 and 2.18 t.ha-1 was obtained from no weeding treatment. The weeded (3x) treatment had 9-86 and 8-90 percentage tuber yield above other treatments but 13 and 8% over 30,000 pumpkin population density alone. The study suggests that pumpkin intercrop at 30,000 stands per hectare could effectively reduce weed interference in water yam farm.
Effect of Mulching on Weed, Fruit Yield and Economic Returns of Garden Egg (Solanium melogena) in Okigwe Southeastern Nigeria
Volume 2, Issue 1, Winter 2019, Pages 52-64
https://doi.org/10.26655/jrweedsci.2019.1.5
Angus O. Ikeh, Eno .I Udoh, Azubike. C Opara
Abstract The experiment was carried out at Umulolo in Okigwe Imo State in 2016 and 2017 seasons. The experiment was laid in randomized complete block design, replicated three times. The treatments were mulching materials (two synthetic materials-polythene sheet, trampoline sheet) while natural or organic materials were 6/ha sawdust and grasses and control treatment (no mulching). Result showed significant difference in all the weed infestation parameters, vegetative growth and yield parameters assessed. In both cropping seasons, the control had significant higher weed density and biomass. Garden egg fruit yield as influenced by different mulching materials was also significantly different (p<0.05) in both cropping seasons. The highest fruit yield; 22.27 and 23.63 t/ha in 2016 and 2017, respectively was from the plot mulched with sawdust. The grasses mulched plot had 21.19 and 22.17 t/ha fruit yield, respectively. The trampoline plot produced 18.77 and 17.18 t/ha fruit, respectively. The least fruit yield was 5.43 and 6.54 t/ha in both cropping seasons in control treatment. The result showed that the plot mulched with sawdust had 7-76% and 6-72% greater fruit yield compared to the other mulching materials in both cropping seasons. The result of indicated that application of grasses and sawdust were more cost effective in weed management and higher economic returns to management compared to trampoline and polythene sheets. Farmers in the study area were advised to mulch their garden egg field during off-season with sawdust. The application of sawdust would reduce weed infestation and also enhances high fruit yield.