Weed Control Efficiency of Management Practices of Lowland Paddy Production in Sudan Savanna Ecology

Two concurrent experiments were conducted during the wet season of 2012 and 2013 at research farms of the Irrigation Research Stations of Institute for Agricultural Research (I.A.R), Ahmadu Bello University, Talata Mafara (12o 34’ N; 06o 04’E) and Kadawa (11o39`N; 08o02’E ) in the Sudan Savanna ecological zone of Nigeria to assess the efficiency of rice production practices in controlling weeds in rice. The treatment consisted of four (4) weed management practice (Oxadiazon at 1.0 kg a.i ha-1 [pre-emergence], orizo-plus [propanil 360 g/l + 2,4-D 200 g/l] at 2.8 kg a.i ha-1 [post emergence at 3 WAS], manual weeding [at 3 and 6 WAS] and weedy check [control]); three (3) each of seeding method (Drilling, Dibbling and Broadcast) and seed rate (40 kg ha-1; 70 kg ha-1; 100 kg ha-1). The experiment was laid in a split plot design replicated three times. Weed management practice was assigned to the main plots while the combination of seeding method and seed rate to the subplots. The result indicated that weedy check was consistent in recording the highest weed growth in terms of weed dry weight and weed cover score. Manual weeding at 3 and 6 WAS was significantly more efficient in controlling the weeds followed by oxadiazon at 1.0 kg a.i ha-1 then orizoplus at 2.8 kg a.i ha-1. Broadcast method of seeding recorded significantly lower values for weed control efficiency and weed growth when compared with drilling and dibbling seeding methods at both locations and years of study. A higher than 40 kg ha-1seed  rate increased weed suppression by decreasing weed dry weight indicating better weed suppression. Keywords: Weed control efficiency, weed dry weight, lowland padd

Correlation and Path Analysis between Seed Yield and some Weed and Quantitative Components in Two Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) Varieties as influenced by Seed Rate and Nitrogen Fertilizer

Field experiment was conducted in the wet seasons of 2009 to 2011, at the Farm of the Institute for Agricultural Research, Ahmadu Bello University, Samaru (Lat., 11o 11´ N, Long. 7o 38´ E, 686 m above sea level); to determine the contributions of some weed and quantitative characters to seed yield of two sesame varieties as affected by seed rate and nitrogen fertilizer The treatments consisted of four seed rates (2, 4, 6 and 8 kg ha-1) and four levels of nitrogen (0, 30, 60 and 90 kg N ha-1) and two sesame varieties ( NCRIBEN 01M and E8). The treatments were laid out in a split plot design with three replications. Seed and nitrogen rates were assigned to the main plot, while crop variety was assigned to the sub plot. Seed yield correlated positively and significantly with plant height, branches per plant, leaves per plant, capsules per plant, seeds per capsule and 1000 - seed weight;  and seeds per capsule contributed more to seed yield compared with other growth and yield characters measured. Path analysis revealed that greatest direct effect and individual factor contribution to seed yield was made by number of seeds per capsule. The highest indirect effect to seed yield was made by number of seeds per capsule through 1000 – seed weight; and highest combined contribution was by number of seeds per capsule through number of branches per plant. From this study it was observed that seeds per capsule made the most contribution to seed yield and should therefore be used as a selection index for sesame improvement. Keywords: correlation, path analysis, quantitative component, sesam

Yield and Yield Attributes of Extra-early Maize (Zea Mays L.) as Affected by Rates of Npk Fertilizer Succeeding Chilli Pepper (Capsicum Frutescens) Supplied with Different Rates Sheep Manure

Field experiment was conducted in 2005 and 2006 to study response of extra-early maize variety (95TZEE-Y1) to rates of NPK (0, 40:20:20, 80:40:40 and 120:60:60 kg N:P2O5:K2O ha-1) and residual FYM (0, 5, 10 and 15 t ha-1 applied to chilli pepper the previous season) in the semi-arid zone of Nigeria. Randomized complete block design with three replicates was used. Higher values for soil physical and chemical properties were obtained in plots supplied with manure the previous season with soil from 2006 experiment more fertile than for the first year, hence produced 21% more grain yield. All the applied NPK rates in 2005 and except 40:20:20 ha1 in 2006 had resulted in early maize crop as compared to control. Husked and de-husked cob and 100-grain weights and grain yield/ha were higher at 120:60:60 kg NPK ha-1. Maize grown in plot supplied with 15 t FYM ha1 the previous year matured earlier. Cobs and 100-grain weights and grain yield were highest in plot supplied with 10 t FYM ha1. The 10t FYM ha-1 had 69% and 68% more grain yield than the control in 2005 and 2006, respectively. Highest maize yield was obtained at 120:60:60 kg NPK ha-1 or 10t FYM ha-1. All the parameters measured significantly and positively related to each other when the two years data were combined

CORRELATIONS AND PATH COEFFICIENTS ANALYSIS BETWEEN POD YIELD AND SOME QUANTITATIVE PARAMETERS IN GROUND NUTS (ARACHIS HYPOGAEA L.)

Abstract The analysis of the association between pod yield and quantitative characters in ground -nut (Arachis hypogaea L.) revealed a positive and significant association. Partitioning the total yield contributions into individual and combined effect showed that total dry matter made the highest individual contribution to pod yield. The combination of total dry matter and haulm yield had the highest combined effect but when the contribution was converted into percentage, the duo of haulm yield and total dry matter made the highest combined or indirect percentage contribution to pod yield

Effect of maize-legume mixture and nitrogen rates on the n-uptake and fertilizer n-recovery by maize inercrop

No Abstract. IJOTAFS Vol. 1 (2) 2007: pp. 149-15