Author : Bichi B. I, Yawale M. A and Shehu A. D

Field experiments were conducted during 2011 rainy season at Bayero University Kano, Teaching and Research Dry land Farm and Bichi in Bichi Local Government Area, Farmer’s Dry land Farm of Kano State to determine the effect of variety and weed control methods on yield performance of maize (Zea mays L.). The treatments consisted of eight weed control treatments [Atrazine (1.25 and 1.75 kg a. i ha-1), post emergence 2, 4-D (0.5 and 1.0 kg a. i ha-1) with or without supplementary hoe weeding, weed free check, weedy check and two improved varieties (2008 SynEE – WDTSTR, EV99DT – WSTR] which were planted 25cm between stands with double row planting on 75cm ridges. The treatments were factorially combined and laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) and replicated three times. Important weed species observed in the experimental plots were Cynodon dactylon, Digitaria marginata, Dinebra retroflexa, Cyperus rotundus, Ageratum conyzoides, Alternanthera sessilis, Amaranthus viridis, Euphorbia spp., Commelina benghalensis, Cynotis cyculata, and Digera arvensis. Among the herbicide treatments, pre-emergence application of atrazine (1.75kg a. i ha-1) + 2, 4-D (1.0 kg a. i ha-1) at 5 WAS recorded higher weed control efficiency (WCE %) and lower weed index (WI %) followed by pre-emergence application of atrazine (1.25kg a. i ha-1) + 2, 4-D (1.0 kg a. i ha-1) at 5 WAS in both locations. Weed free check recorded the highest value of WCE % and lowest WI % followed by pre-emergence application of atrazine (1.75kg a. i ha-1) + 2, 4 – D (1.0 kg a. i ha-1) at 5 WAS where as weedy check significantly recorded lowest values of WCE % with highest WI % in both locations. Based on the result obtained, it could be deduced that pre-emergence application of atrazine (1.75kg a. i ha-1) + 2, 4-D (1.0 kg a. i ha-1) at 5 WAS resulted to the production higher grain yields with EV99DT-W STR variety in both locations among other herbicide treatments.

Keywords: Weeds, pre-emergence, Atrazine, Double Row Planting, Yield

Article published in International Journal of Current Engineering and Technology, Vol.5, No.5 (Oct-2015)