Abstract
This paper examines the effects of planting date (early planting, mid-season planting and late-season planting) and weeding regimes (two weeding before harvesting, three weeding before harvesting and weed free plots) on yield of Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench) in the Tolon district of Northern Ghana. The results show that different weed species, categorized as broad leaves, grasses and sedges, were dominant depending on the planting date and weeding regime. While there was no significant interaction (p>0.05) between planting date and weeding regime on fruit yield, nor significant impact of planting date as a sole treatment on fruit yield, the results showed the existence of significant effect of weeding regime as a sole treatment on yield and yield parameters of okra (p<0.05). Triple weeding resulted in okra yields comparable to the weed-free treatments (mean of 6000 kg/ha to 6300 kg/ha, p>0.05) but significantly higher (p<0.05) and about triple the yield observed in the treatments with double weeding regimes (mean of 1800 kg/ha to 2300 kg/ha). As cost of production, besides the cost of weeding, remains same for all treatments, Triple weeding is recommended for the small-holder farmer. It is associated with less labor cost compared to continuous weeding in the weed free treatments, and the triple gains in yield could offset the additional labor cost incurred in the triple weeding compared to the double weeding regimes.
Highlights
The major challenges facing wheat productivity in Ethiopia is lower productivity as compared to its potentials
Farm size in hectare: Regarding farm size, the results indicate that an increase in the farm size by a unit hectare decrease use intensity of improved wheat varieties by 3.169quintal per hectare, hold constant other variables
As double hurdle model result shows: family size, availability of oxen and attitude towards risk affect the status of adoption positively, under 1st stage independent double hurdle model while experience of farming, and off-farm income affect the level of improved wheat variety adoption positively 2nd stage independent double hurdle model as well as farm size in hectare and well cultivated farm land influence the extent of improved wheat varieties adoption negatively
Summary
The major challenges facing wheat productivity in Ethiopia is lower productivity as compared to its potentials. The national wheat productivity is during 2013/14 cropping season was 25.43Qt/ha. In 2015/16declined to 25.35 Qt/ha which shows 0.825.35 Qt/ha production lag as compare to the previous years .More recently, In 2016/17 copping season the average national yield of wheat is 26.75 Qt/ha which shows slight improvement to the previous years [1,2,3]. Is the lowest yield as compared to the world average of 40 Qt/ha which is by far lower [4]. The low yield has made the country unable to meet the high demand, and the country remains net importer despite its good potential for wheat production. Food insecurity and poverty are prevalent throughout the country over the last years
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