EFFECT OF DIFFERENT WEED CONTROL METHODS ON GROWTH AND YIELD OF TURMERIC (CURCUMA LONGA L.) AT AFAKA KADUNA, NIGERIA

Abstract

A field experiment was carried out at Department of Agricultural Technology Experimental Farm, Federal College of Forestry, Afaka, Kaduna, Nigeria to determine the effect of different weed control methods on growth and yield of turmeric. The experiment was carried out between 2018 and 2019 cropping/rainy seasons. Turmeric was subjected to ten weed control regimes using randomized complete block design with three replications. Data were collected on weed samples on the experimental field, growth parameters such as leaf area, number of leaves per plant, plant height and yield parameters such as number of rhizomes per plant and number of rhizomes per plot. Data collected were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the mean separated using Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT). The result showed that the major weeds recorded were: Commelina benghalensis, Cyperus rotundus linn, Digitaria nuda schumach, Digitaria longiflora, Eleusine indica, Eragrostis ciliaris ans. The result also revealed that turmeric leaf area was significantly (p<0.05) affected by weed control method regimes at 4 and 12WAT. Plant height was also significantly (p<0.05) affected by weed control method regimes at 8 WAT. The result also revealed that yield in term of number of rhizomes produced per plant and per plot were also significantly (p<0.05) affected by weed control method regimes at harvest with highest yield recorded for turmeric plants that were treated with pre emergence Metolachlor at the rate of 1.0 litre per hectare plus two supplementary hoe weeding at 4 and 8 WAT. The study therefore recommend the use of Metolachlor at the rate of 1.0 litre per hectare plus two supplementary hoe weeding at 4 and 8 WAT for farmers in the ecological zone of study area.

Keywords

• effect
• weed control methods
• weed samples
• growth parameters
• yield
• turmeric