INFLUENCE OF WEED CONTROL MEASURES ON THE GROWTH AND YIELD OF MAIZE (Zea mays L) IN AN ULTISOL SANDY LOAM

Abstract

In Nigeria, maize is one of the most important crops for human consumption. It is also an essential component for feed production. However, maize production is constrained by weed infestation. This experiment was carried out to study the effect of different weed control measures on the growth and yield of maize in Anyigba, Dekina Local Government area of Kogi State. Two herbicides (atrazine at the rate of 3 kg/ha and Nicosulfuron at the rate of 1 kg/ha) and hand hoeing were used solely or in combinations to obtain nine (9) treatments and replicated three times in a randomized complete block design. Results showed significant differences in growth characteristics such as plant height and sheath length at 8 weeks after sowing on plots that received atrazine 3 kg a.i/ha + hand hoeing once + Nicosulfuron 1 kg a.i/ha treatment. Yield components of maize such as ear length, number of kernels per row, number of kernels per ear, kernel weight per ear and hundred kernel weight showed highly significant differences at 0.01 level of probability. The major weeds observed during the study were elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum) and Milkweed (Euphorbia heterophylla). In conclusion, plots that were treated with Atrazine 3 kg a.i/ha + Hand hoeing once + Nicosulfuron 1 kg a.i/ha outperformed the other treated plots in terms of growth and yield of maize. The treatments tested for the control of Elephant grass and Milkweed showed similarity in performance but were different from the untreated plots except for Milkweed count at 77 days after sowing.