Effect of weed control methods on the yield and starch content of storage root of cassava (Manihot esculenta) and soil health

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted to study the effect of different weed control methods on the yield and starch content of storage root of cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) grown under irrigated conditions. The results revealed that weed control ground cover (WCGC)/weed control mat mulching and four manual weeding at 1, 2, 3 and 4 MAP significantly reduced the dry weed biomass. The mean fresh storage root yield of cassava obtained from the plots where WCGC was used statistically at par with the storage root yield of cassava from the plots where four manual weedings were done. Compared to four manual weedings, pre-emergence application of oxyfluorfen along with two manual weedings at 2, 3 MAP and two manual weedings at 1, 2 MAP along with post-emergence application of glyphosate at 3 MAP resulted in insignificant reduction (9.6 and 10.1%, respectively) in the storage root yield. Compared to other methods of weed control, WCGC resulted in maximum dry matter partitioning efficiency and soil microbial population. Application of glyphosate had no adverse effect on the starch content of storage root but resulted in higher soil organic carbon.