EFFECTS OF SELECTED HERBICIDES AND WEEDING ON THE PERFORMANCE OF MAIZE (Zea mays L.) IN AKURE SOUTHWESTERN NIGERIA

Abstract

Field experiments were conducted in two locations in the rain forest zone of Nigeria. The first experiment was conducted at the Teaching and Research Farm of the Federal University of Technology, Akure; while the second at Awule in Akure South Local Government Area. The study evaluates the efficacy of some selected herbicides for weed control in maize (Zea mays L). The experiments were laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) involving four replications per treatment. The treatments were: (1) weedy check where no weeding occurred, (2) glyphosate only at 1.44kg a.e ha-1, (3) glyphosate at 1.44kg a.e ha-1 + weeding at four weeks after planting (4WAP), (4) glyphosate at 1.44kg a.e ha-1 + weeding at 7 WAP, (5) paraquat only at 0.41kg a.i ha-1, (6) paraquat at 0.41kg a.i ha-1 + weeding at 4 WAP, (7) paraquat at 0.41kg a.i ha-1 + weeding at 7 WAP, (8) atrazine (80 WP) at 3.00kg a.i ha -1, (9) Primextra (500 FW) at 3.00kg a.i Ha -1 and (10) hand weeding at 3 & 7 WAP, respectively. Data were collected on maize plant height, stem girth, number of leaves, maize cob length and girth, grain yield as well as weed flora, weed density, and percentage herbicidal efficacy on weed density. The results from the study showed that weed flora identified with maize production were different for both locations; plots treated with atrazine plus metolachlor (Primextra) gave better performance inn terms of maize growth. Maize cob length and grain weight were higher in plots treated with atrazine (80WP) at 0.41kg a.i/ha. Herbicidal efficacy was higher (61%) in plots treated with glyphosate plus weeding at 4 WAP on pooled basis but did not differ significantly (p<0.05) from other treatments.