Effect of weed control methods on growth and yield of rice (Oryza sativa var. faro 52)

Abstract

Field experiment was conducted at Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching and Research Fadama Farm, Sokoto during the 2017/2018 dry cropping season to evaluate the effect of different weed control methods in irrigated lowland rice (FARO 52). The experiment consisted of five (5) weed control methods; T₁- Hoe weeding at 3,6,9 weeks after transplanting (WAT), T₃ – Pendimethalin + 2 hoe weeding at 3 and 6 WAT + 2, 4-D at 9 WAT, T₄- Pendimethalin + 1 hoe weeding at 3 WAT, T5- Pendimethalin + 2 hoe weeding at 3 and 6 WAT, T6 – Pendimethalin + 1 hoe weeding at 3 WAT + 2, 4-D at 9 WAT with weedy check (T₂) arranged in a randomized complete block design (RCBD). Data were collected on growth, yield and weed parameters. There was no significant difference (p≥0.05) in plant height, leaf number at 3 WAT. Significant difference existed for plant height, number of leaves, days to booting, days to heading, number of spikelets per spike, number of spike per panicle, number of seeds per panicle, 1000 grain weight and yield per plot. T₃ recorded the highest mean value for plant height (114.7cm), leaf number (27) and yield (2.4t/ha) and the lowest in weedy check.