Weed control by glyphosate associated with maize production

2020

English

Weed control is one of the important management strategies for economic crop production. A 2-year study (2012 and 2013) was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of glyphosate for weed control associated with maize (Zea mays L.) at two different locations (Mamponteng-Kumasi vs. University of Cape Coast research farm) in southern Ghana. Treatments were the control (hoe and hand weeding), glyphosate applied at 400, 800 and 1200 g a.i ha-1, and atrazine applied at 1000 g a.i/ha (as a reference) laid-out in a randomized complete block (RCB) design. Treatments were replicated five times in 3.2-m x 2-m plots at each location. Results showed that herbicide treatments significantly reduce weed survival, growth and biomass production across the sites and growing seasons. Both glyphosate and atrazine were equally effective to control weeds. Glyphosate when applied at 800 and 1200-g a.i/ha consistently suppressed weed growth by more than 80%, without affecting maize yield. Moreover, glyphosate control of weeds significantly improved the maize yield when compared with the reference herbicide (atrazine). Maize yield produced under herbicide (glyphosate and atrazine) treatments was significantly higher compared to the control. Our results suggested that glyphosate applied at 800-g a.i/ha is effective to control weeds associated with the maize production

Amoakwah, E.; Frimpong-Manso, J.; Essumang, K. D.; Islam, K. R.
URI: https://doi.org/10.35495/jbra.2020.01.04