ISSN 2375-1231
African Journal of Crop Science ISSN 2375-1231 Vol. 5 (9), pp. 001-009, September, 2017. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Effect of pre-emergence herbicides on weed infestation and productivity of sesame ( Sesamum indicum L.) in the Sudan Savanna Zone of Nigeria
E. O. Imoloame1, S. D. Joshua2* and N. A. Gworgwor2
1Regional Agricultural Training School, Ngala, Borno State, Nigeria.
2Department of Crop Production, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria.
Accepted 22 February, 2017
Abstract
Field trials were conducted in 2006 and 2007 cropping seasons at the University of Maiduguri Teaching and Research Farm located in Maiduguri (11°50’N; 13°10’E), Nigeria, to evaluate the effect of different pre-emergence herbicides on weed infestation and productivity of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) The experiment consisted of 22 treatments, which included 4 different pre-emergence herbicides applied at 5 rates each namely butachlor, metolachlor, diuron and pendimethalin at 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 and 2.5 kg a.i./ha, weeding at 3 and 6 weeks after sowing (WAS) and a weedy check. The treatments were laid out in randomized complete block design (RCBD) replicated 3 times. Results showed that diuron at 1.5 to 2.5 kg a.i./ha produced significantly (P<0.05) the least weed cover and dry matter at 3 and 6 WAS, which was comparable with two-hoe-weedings at harvest. Both butachlor at 2.0 kg a.i./ha and metolachlor at 1.5 kg a.i./ha produced significantly (P<0.05) low weed cover score and weed dry matter, which were comparable with the least weed cover score in both trials and their combined means at harvest. Among the herbicides tested, butachlor at 2.0 kg a.i./ha and diuron at 1.0 kg a.i./ha produced significantly (P<0.05) the highest grain yield in 2006, while metolachlor at 1.5 kg a.i./ha produced significantly (P<0.05) the highest grain yield in 2007 and the combined means. For effective weed control and higher yield, metolachlor at 1.5 kg a.i./ha and butachlor at 2.0 kg a.i./ha are recommended as an alternative to two hoe-weedings at 3 and 6 WAS for the production of sesame in the Sudan Savanna zone of Nigeria.
Key words: Pre-emergence herbicides, weed infestation, productivity, sesame, savanna, Nigeria.