Abstract
The impact of weed competition on crop growth is a universal concern to farmers. This study was conducted in 2010 at the Teaching and Research Farm, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife to evaluate the impact of cassava canopy on weed diversity and identify shade-tolerant weed species in response to varying canopy structure at Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching and Research Farm, Ile-Ife ecological zone. The treatments consist of hand-weeded, herbicidal treatment, and unweeded checks in the main plot. The sub-plots constituted the cassava cultivars (TMS 30572 and TME 1) laid out in a randomized complete block with a split-plot arrangement in three replications. Fifteen weed species survived under the shade of TMS 30572 where two families were monocots while four families were dicots. However, twenty weed species were recorded where TME 1 was cultivated of which two families were monocots while five families were dicots. TMS 30572 suppressed weeds by 20% when compared to TME 1. In conclusion, TME 30572 is recommended for cultivation in this agroecology to obtain a maximum benefit on cassava production. Keywords: Weed, TMS 30572, TME 1, Shade-tolerant, and Weed diversity. DOI: 10.7176/JNSR/12-12-05 Publication date: June 30 th 2021
Highlights
IntroductionThe common weeds found in cassava are grasses (Imperata cylindrica, Panicum maximum), sedges (Mariscus alternifolius, Cyperus rotundus), and broadleaf weeds (Chromolaena odorata, Ageratum conyzoides) (Melifonwu et al, 2000)
The most common weed species found on the two sites were broadleaved weeds (64%) while the percentage of sedges and grasses was 18 (Table 1)
The weed species families recorded in Location 1 were ten of which monocotyledons (Commelinaceae, Cyperaceae, and Poaceae) were 30% of the entire flora while dicotyledons (Amaranthaceae, Asteraceae, Euphorbiaceae, Fabaceae, Lamiaceae, Malvaceae, and Rubiaceae) represented 70% (Table 2)
Summary
The common weeds found in cassava are grasses (Imperata cylindrica, Panicum maximum), sedges (Mariscus alternifolius, Cyperus rotundus), and broadleaf weeds (Chromolaena odorata, Ageratum conyzoides) (Melifonwu et al, 2000). These weeds are controlled by various methods such as mechanical, cultural, and chemical measures. A vivid knowledge of the existence of various weed flora under the shade of different crops is essential to ensure the use of appropriate herbicide(s) and formulate other appropriate management strategies (Sit et al, 2007). The objectives of this study are (i) to determine the influence of cassava canopy on weed flora composition and (ii) to identify shade-tolerant weed species in response to varying canopy structures at Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching and Research Farm, Ile-Ife ecological zone
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