Abstract
ABSTRACT: Weed infestation is among the main factors which decrease cotton yield. Allelopathy has been well-documented as a phenomenon offering natural weed control in agro-ecosystems. An experiment was conducted to figure out the herbicidal potential of a mixture of sorghum and brassica water extracts (SBWE) against weeds in cotton. Combinations of SBWE each at 16 L ha-1 were sprayed alone and in combination in a tank mixed with and ¼ doses of both pendimethalin (0.625 and 0.416 kg a.i. ha-1) and S-metolachlor (1.075 and 0.716 kg a.i. ha-1). Recommended doses of pendimethalin (1.25 kg a.i. ha-1) and S-metolachlor (2.15 kg a.i. ha-1) were also sprayed for comparison. As control, a weedy check treatment where nothing was sprayed was also included in the experiment. Lower doses () of both herbicides in combination with SBWE gave approximately the same level of weed reduction and crop improvement as given by the recommended doses of herbicides. Furthermore, economic and marginal analysis showed that maximum net benefits were obtained in using allelopathic water extracts alone and in combination with lower rates of commercial herbicides. Thus, in conclusion, allelopathy can be employed for weed management and yield maximization in modern agriculture.
Highlights
Weeds are a serious jeopardy which impairs improvement in crop yields
Cotton crop is severely infested by weeds and cotton yield is estimated to decrease by 62-85% (Dogan et al, 2014) depending on the degree of severity
To get better weed control as given by the standard herbicides, lower doses of herbicides can be tested with allelopathic sorghum and brassica water extracts (SBWE)
Summary
Weeds are a serious jeopardy which impairs improvement in crop yields. Cotton crop is severely infested by weeds and cotton yield is estimated to decrease by 62-85% (Dogan et al, 2014) depending on the degree of severity. To get better weed control as given by the standard herbicides, lower doses of herbicides can be tested with allelopathic SBWE Allelopathic crops such as sorghum and brassica contain allelochemicals (Nimbal et al, 1996; Turk and Tawaha, 2003) which are nature’s own herbicides (Jabran, 2017), are water soluble, have short half-life and are considered to be environmentally safe (Duke et al, 2002). Two selective herbicides (pendimethalin and S-metolachlor) with lower rates were tested in combination with SBWE in a field experiment to check whether total reliance upon synthetic herbicides can be minimized and concerns about environment, health and weed resistance can be addressed through the use of allelopathy
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