Comparative Efficiency of Tillage Practices in Maize

B. N. Ita^1*, E. S. Ariga², R. W. Michieka², W. M. Muiru²

¹Kenya Agricultural Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya.

²Department of Plant Science and Crop protection, University of Nairobi,Nairobi, Kenya.

DOI : http://dx.doi.org/10.12944/CARJ.2.2.04

Abstract:

Weed management practices used by small scale farmers determine maize productivity. The trials were executed in Kigumo district during the long and short rains in 2010 to compare effectiveness of glyphosate and hand weeding on weed management in maize (Zea  mays L.). Treatments were arranged in a Completely Randomized Complete Block Design replicated three times in a split plot arrangement. The main plots were two maize varieties DUMA SC 41 and DK 8031 and the subplots three weed management practices,(glyphosate, hand weeding and no tillage). Data collected included weed count by species,fresh and dry weed biomass and maize grain yield. Data was subjected to ANOVA using Genstat computer software package at P<0.05. Treatments means were separated by Student-Newman Keuls Test. Results revealed that there were significant differences in weed count among weed management practices (P < 0.05). Weeds, significantly established faster under hand weeding than other weed management practices. There were no significant differences among weed management practices in biomass and maize grain yield (P < 0.05). The two maize varieties significantly differed in grain yield under different weed management practices, DK 8031 under glyphosate had the highest yield among the tillage practices involved.

Keywords:

Small Scale Farmers; Tillage Practices; Weed Management; Maize

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