African Journal of Agronomy

African Journal of Agronomy Vol. 1 (1), pp. 001-006, June, 2013. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Growth and yield responses of ginger (Zingiber officinale) to three sources of organic manures in a typical rainforest zone, Nigeria

Egbuchua, C. N.* and Enujeke, E. C.

Department of Agronomy, Delta State University, Asaba Campus, Asaba, Delta State, Nigeria.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected].

Accepted 11 April, 2013

Abstract

A field study was carried out in the 2011/2012 cropping seasons at the Teaching and Research, Farms of the Delta State University, Asaba Campus, Asaba, a typical rainforest zone in Nigeria. The aim was to evaluate the responses of ginger to three sources of organic manures namely; cow-dung manure, poultry manure and pig manure at the rate of 20 t/ha. The experiment was a randomized complete block design with three replicates. Growth and yield parameters of ginger were taken at the 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 and 14 weeks after planting (WAP), while fresh weight was taken at 16^th week after planting (WAP). The growth parameters observed were plant height, number of leaves, leaf area and number of tillers. Data collected were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) and significantly different means in the F-test were separated using the Least Significant Difference (LSD) at 5% level of probability. Results showed significant increase in plant height, number of leaves and leaf area at the 6^th to 12^th WAP compared to the control. Growth parameters were not significantly different (P > 0.05) at the 4^th WAP. Plots treated with poultry manure produced the highest plant height of 12.67 cm, highest number of leaves of 14.87 and leaf area of 231.8. This was followed by pig manure with values of 12.12, 14.25 and 222.5 cm. The least mean values of 7.14, 12.58 and 210.5 cm were obtained from the control. The general results indicated that organic manures in the forms of cow dung, poultry and pig manures have great tendency to increase growth characters and yield of ginger in a rainforest zone, Nigeria.

Key words: Growth and yield responses, ginger, organic manures rainforest zone, Nigeria.

African Journal of Agronomy Vol. 1 (1), pp. 010-016, June, 2013. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Bio-economic assessment of chemical and non-chemical weed management strategies in dry seeded fine rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Abdul Khaliq*, Muhammad Yasir Riaz and Amar Matloob

Department of Agronomy, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected].

Accepted 8 April, 2013

Abstract

Dry seeding of rice offers potential to be opted as a resource conservation technology but its sustainability is endangered by heavy weed infestation. Experiments were conducted during summer season of 2009 to look for effective and economically viable weed control method(s) in dry seeded rice. Four mulching materials of natural origin as sorghum, sunflower and wheat residues each soil incorporated at 8 t ha^-1 and black polyethylene sheet strips as artificial origins were used. A weedy check and manual weeding were included for comparison. Label doses of post emergence herbicides, bis-pyribac sodium and penoxsulam, at 30 and 15 g a.i. ha^-1 were also used. Manual weeding accounted for maximum (99%) inhibition in weed density and dry weight. Bispyribac sodium suppressed weed count and dry weight by ≈ 80%. Among non-chemical weed management strategies, sorghum residues scored over 50% reduction in weed density and dry weight. Plastic sheet strips were least effective against weeds. Manual weeding scored highest paddy yield of 4.17 t ha^-1. Bispyribac sodium with 3.51 t ha^-1 paddy yield appeared superior to penoxsulam. Sorghum, sunflower and wheat residues resulted in statistically similar paddy yields of 2.85, 2.80 and 2.58 t ha^-1, respectively. Bispyribac sodium exhibited maximum marginal rate of return of 23076%. Chemical control proved to be a viable strategy with higher economic returns.

Key words: Weeds, crop residues, bispyribac sodium, penoxsulam, weed suppression, grain yield.