Weed biomass and productivity of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L)Moench) as influenced by spacing and pendimethalin-based weed management

Abstract

Field trials were conducted at the Teaching and Research Farm of the Kwara State University, Malete, Nigeria, to determine the effect of plant spacing and weed control methods on weed infestation, growth and yield of okra during the 2016 and 2017 cropping seasons. The experiment consisted of twelve treatments comprising six weed control methods and two plant spacings. The method of weed control consisted of pre-emergence application of pendimethalin at 1.0 kg a.i. ha-1, pendimethalin at 2.0 kg a.i. ha-1, pendimathalin at 1.0 kg a.i. ha-1 + one supplementary hoe weeding (SHW) at 6 weeks after sowing (WAS), two hoe weedings at 3 and 6 weeks after sowing (WAS), weeding at 4 and 8 weeks after sowing (WAS) and a weedy check. The plant spacings were 60cm x 30cm and 60cm x 50cm. These treatments were laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with split plot arrangements and three replications. Weed control and plant spacing treatments were allocated to the subplots and the main plot respectively. Results showed that a plant spacing of 60cm x 30cm minimized weed infestation and resulted in a higher total number of pods/plot and okra fresh weight, while pendimethalin at 1.0 kg a.i. ha-1 + one supplementary hoe weeding at 6 WAS minimized weed infestation in the plots, and led to the highest total number of pods and yield of okra. This combination also promoted higher economic returns.nema