Glyphosate-based herbicides on weeds management and maize performance under conservation agriculture practices in eastern Kenya
Loading...
Date
2014
Authors
Mburu, D. N.
Micheni, Alfred
Kanampiu, Fred
Mugai, Njue
Kihanda, Francis
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Inderscience
Abstract
A three-season research study was conducted at Embu Agricultural Research Station farm to determine the effect of glyphosate-based herbicides on weeds management and maize (Zea mays L.) performance under zero-tillage conservation agriculture practice. Glyphosate herbicide sprays were prepared from Roundup Turbo product at the rate of 2.5 L ha−1 and Roundup Weathermax at 1.5, 2.5 and 3.0 L ha−1 rates. Significant (p ≤ 0.05) differences in weeds management were observed under the tested rate of Roundup Turbo compared to un-weeded control plots. The average grain yield from conventionally tilled plots was 3.6 t ha−1. This did not differ significantly from those of herbicide-managed plots. Low-grain yield (0.1 t ha−1) was observed from un-weeded plots compared to those from zero-tilled plots that had also exhibited significantly (p ≤ 0.05) higher net-benefits. The study concluded that the application of herbicides improves weeds control and maize performance.
Description
DOI: 10.1504/IJARGE.2014.064001
Keywords
zero tillage, conventional tillage, glyphosate herbicides, weed control, maize performance, net benefits, weed management, conservation agriculture, Kenya
Citation
Int. J. of Agricultural Resources, Governance and Ecology, 2014 Vol.10, No.3, pp.257 - 268