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

Effect Of Age Of Seedling At Ransplanting And Variety On Yield And Yield Components Of Tomato (Lycopersicon Esculentum Mill).

Field Experiments Were Conducted During The 1995/96 And 1996/97 Dry Seasons At The Irrigation Research Farm Of The Institute For Agricultural Research, Samaru, To Study The Effect Of Age Of Seedling At Transplanting And Variety On The Yield And Yield Components Of Tomato Crop. The Treatments Consisted Of Four Seedling Ages (4 7 Weeks Old) And Three Tomato Varieties (Ti 106, Ti 468 And Ti 539). Factprial Combinations Of The Treatments Were Laid Out In A Randomized Complete Block Design, With Three Replications. Results Of The Combined Analysis Showed That The Number Of Flowers Per Plant Of 4 6 Weeks Old Seedlings Were Significantly Higher Than Those Of 7 Weeks Old. The Seedlings Of 4 6 Weeks Old Also Attained 50% Flowering Much Earlier Than The 7 Weeks Old. Fruits Of 6 And 7 Weeks Old Seedlings Were Heavier Than Those Of 4 And 5 Weeks Old. Total Fruit Yield (T/Ha) Of 4 Weeks Old Seedlings Was Significantly Higher Than Those Of 5 7 Weeks Old Seedlings. Similar Trend Was Recorded On The Number Of Fruits Per Plant. All Parameters Assessed Were Not Significantly Influenced By Variety Except The Average Fruit Weight, Where Ti 106 And Ti 468 Gave Similar And Heavier Fruits Than Ti 539