Economic analysis of the effect of mulch on weed control and yield of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench)

Abstract

Field experiments were conducted at the National Horticultural Research Institute, Ibadan, Nigeria between November 2009 and February 2010 under irrigation condition. This was done to assess the economics o f the control of weed by mulching in Okra production. The treatment consisted of dried leaves of Terminalia catappa (Tropical almond), Azadirachta indica (Neem), combination of Terminalia catappa and Azadirachta indica, plastic mulch, hoe-weeding, grass mulch and no weeding (control). The experimental design was randomized complete block design with three replicates; data collected were analyzed using Duncans multiple range test and budgetary analysis. Mulching controlled weed better than the hoe-weeding method. Mulching significantly affected Okra fruit yield (P=0.05) with the highest resulting from plastic mulch followed by Azadirachta indica, Terminalia catappa, and the least from the control (no weeding). The budgetary analysis revealed that all the mulch methods were profitable with Azadirachta indica (N236,656.10/ha) topping the least followed by the plastic mulch (N227,7I3.98/ha), while the least (N100,163.39) was from the control (no weeding). The return/naira outlay revealed that plastic mulch though profitable was not cost-effective.