Integrated Weed Management in Common Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) at Wolaita Sodo, Southern Ethiopia

Abstract

Common bean production is severely infested by weeds in Wolaita Zone, Southern Ethiopia. Field experiment was conducted to assess the integrated effect of different weed management practices and herbicides on the growth and yield of common bean in 2014 at Wolaita Sodo. The experiment comprises of fifteen treatments which included two herbicides (MET and PEN ) applied as pre-emergence alone and in different combinations, HWH, weedy check all with and without mulching and weed free check laid out in randomized block design with three replications. Weed community recorded included 55.6% broadleaved, 33.3% grass and 11.1% sedge. The density of broadleaved, grass and sedge was significantly influenced by weed management practices both at 2 and 12 weeks after crop emergence (WAE). At 2 WAE, application of PEN 1.0 kg ha -1 + mulching resulted in significant decrease in total weed density over weedy check. At 12 WAE PEN 1.0 kg ha -1 + HWH 5 WAE significantly reduced broadleaved and total weed densities over the other treatments, while in case of grass weed, it was statistically in parity with MET 0.50 kg ha -1 + PEN 0.75 kg ha -1 + mulching, HWH at 2 and 5 WAE and HWH at 2 WAE supplemented with mulching. Weed dry weight varied significantly in response to weed management practices at 2 WAE. However, at 12 WAE this has no significant difference with PEN 1.0 kg ha -1 + HWH 5 WAE, MET 0.75 kg ha -1 + PEN 0.75 kg ha -1 + mulching and HWH at 2 and 5 WAE. Herbicide mixtures and mulching did not alter weeds infestation to a considerable level. Application of PEN 1.0 kg ha 1 + HWH 5 WAE performed better than other herbicidal treatments in enhancing days to flowering and physiological maturity and increased yield attributing characters of common bean. Keywords: Herbicides combination, mulch, PEN , preemergence, MET , weeds, yield DOI : 10.7176/JBAH/10-1-02 Publication date: January 31 st 2020