Weeding frequency effect on growth and yield of maize in Southguinea savannah

Abstract

A field trial was conducted in 2018 cropping season on the Teaching and Research Farm of the Federal University of Technology, Gidan Kwano campus to investigate the effect of weeds on the growth and yield of maize and determine the best time and frequency of weeding for optimum yield. The Treatments (no weeding (control), weeding at 2WAS, weeding at 4WAS, weeding at 6WAS, weeding at 8WAS, weeding at 10WAS, weeding at 2 and 4WAS, weeding at 4 and 6WAS, weeding at 6 and 8WAS, weeding at 8 and 10WAS) were layout in a randomized complete block design (RCBD), replicated three (3) times. The data collected on various parameters were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) using statistical package (SAS 2016) and means were partitioned using Duncan multiple range test (DMRT) at 5% level of probability. The results obtained showed that the use of hybrid maize variety with early weeding at 4 and 6WAS which resulted in lower weed cover score, lower weed dry weight, lower number of days to 50% tasseling, maize taller plant, high maize cob weight and high yield could be an effective weed management strategy.