Effects of integrated nutrient management on weed infestation and yield of soybean in Southern Guinea Savanna zone of Nigeria

Abstract

Field trials were conducted at Lapai, Minna and Mokwa Local Governments area of Niger State, Nigeria to evaluate the effect of integrated nutrient management on weed growth and yield of soybean. The study was aimed to determine the effect of integrated nutrient management on weed infestation and yield of soybean. The treatments were: - No-input, Farmers practice (NPK only) at rate of 200 kg/ha, Agric Lime at the rate of 0.5 tons ha-1 + NPK at 200 kg/ha, Agric Lime at the of 0.5 tons ha-1 + Farmyard manure at the of 5 tons ha-1 + NPK at the rate of 200 kg ha-1 and Farmyard manure at the rate of 5 tons ha-1 + NPK at the rate of 200 kg ha-1 arranged in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) and replicated three times. Results revealed that, the important weed species of soybeans are Hyptis suaveolens, Tridax procumbens, Digitaria horizontalis, Paspalum scrobiculatum and Commelina benghalensis. Application of No-input reduced weed infestation than in terms of weed density and dry weight. The application of combination of Agric lime + Farm Yard Manure + NPK increased the grain yield of soybean by 56.5 %, 95.3%, 80.0% and 77.4 % in Lapai, Minna, Mokwa and across the location, respectively. It is recommended that farmers in this agro-ecological zone of Nigeria should apply Agric lime + Farm Yard Manure+ NPK for higher soybean yield.