EFFICACY OF COMMANDER 240EC (OXYFLUORFEN) IN WEED CONTROL

Transcription

1 EFFICACY OF COMMANDER 240EC (OXYFLUORFEN) IN WEED CONTROL

2 The aim of weed control is to reduce competition below a given economic damage threshold to achieve optimum yield Weeds compete with crops for nutrients, water light, space, oxygen and carbon dioxide. The extent of yield reduction depends upon the time, duration and intensity of weed infestation. Where agrochemicals are introduced as a new product it is useful to demonstrate the profitability of the new practice and the impact of the treatment cost on the whole economy of crop system. We need to establish environmental and application methods that facilitate rapidity and increased duration of action of the product

3 The active ingredient (oxyfluorfen) is a member of the diphenyl ether group of herbicides. The product has the inhibitor of Protoporphyrinogen oxidase mode of action. Protoporphyrinogen oxidase (PPO) is an enzyme in the chloroplast of the plant cell that oxidizes Protoporphyrinogen to produce protoporphyrin IX. This product is important because it is a precursor molecule for both chlorophyll (needed for photosynthesis) and heme (needed for electron transfer chains).

4 This is a cereal crop taken from maize, harvested early when the ears are very young small and immature It is actually eaten whole crop included in contrast with mature maize that usually has a tough cob

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6 To determine efficacy of commander 240 EC (Oxyfluorfen) at different rates in control of different weeds species. To determine the tolerance limit of baby corn to the herbicide at different rates. To determine net return and cost/benefit ratio accruing from use of the herbicide in baby corn.

7 The trial will be carried out at the Efficacy trial site at the College of agriculture and veterinary services of the University of Nairobi, kabete field station farm during short rains in Land will be conventionally prepared by ploughing followed by harrowing and finally hand hoeing. The experimental design will be complete randomized block design with each of seven treatment replicated three times for the crop. The crop will be allocated 21 plots measuring 3 by 3 square meters

8 Treatment description Rate 1 Weed free No weeding to be done in the plot 2 Weedy throughout Complete weeding to be done prior to planting and at 2 nd, 5 th and 8 th Weeks after planting 3 Farmers practice Weeded at 4 th and 8 th WAP 4 Below recommended rate of herbicide 5 Recommended herbicide rate 6 Above recommended herbicide rate 1L/Ha commander 240EC (Oxyfluorfen) in 350L/Ha of H 2 O 1.5L/Ha commander 240EC (Oxyfluorfen) in 350L/Ha of H 2 O 2L/Ha commander 240EC (Oxyfluorfen) in 350L/Ha of H 2 O 7 Standard herbicide 1L/Ha Galigan 240 EC(oxyfluorfen) in

9 Commander 240 EC (oxyfluorfen) will be applied preemergent to baby corn and pre- and post-emergent early to weeds. Baby corn will be planted at a spacing of 75cm by 30cm, this will make a crop stand of 840 plants. Overhead sprinkler irrigation will be used to supplement rainfall.

10 BLOCK 3 BLOCK 1 BLOCK 2 PLOT 1: Treatment 7 PLOT 1: Treatment 4 PLOT 1: Treatment 6 PLOT 2: Treatment 5 PLOT 2: Treatment 1 PLOT 2: Treatment 3 PLOT3: Treatment 3 PLOT3: Treatment 6 PLOT 3: Treatment 2 PLOT 4: Treatment 4 PLOT 4: Treatment 3 PLOT 4: Treatment 5 PLOT 5: Treatment 2 PLOT 5: Treatment 7 PLOT 5: Treatment 1 PLOT 6:Treatment 1 PLOT 6: Treatment 5 PLOT 6: Treatment 4 PLOT 7: Treatment 6 PLOT 7 :Treatment 2 PLOT 7: Treatment 7

11 Germination and survival rate Crop tolerance/ phytotoxicity of the test chemical to baby corn Weed count by species Climatic data-rainfall and temperature data shall be collected from the meteorological station at field station Yield components Cost benefit analysis; Total production cost will be compared with total income from yield to determine Net return in each of the treatments

12 DATE ACTIVITY 21 st Dec 2012 Land preparation 28 th Dec 2012 Sowing Application of all treatments 12 th Jan 2013 Collection of data No th Jan 2013 Application of treatment 2 27 th Jan 2013 Collection of data number 2 Application of treatments 2 & 3 Weeding in the paths 29 th Jan 2013 Application of CAN 12 th Feb 2013 Collection of data number 3 Application of treatment 2 26 th Feb 2013 Collection of data number 4 Application of treatments 2 & 3 Weeding in the paths 11 th march 2013 Collection of data number 5 Application of treatment 2 28 th march 2013 Collection of yield data

13 FUNCTION AMOUNT RATE (Ksh) TOTAL (Ksh ) Payment of casuals Purchase of seeds 1Kg Purchase of DAP 4Kg Purchase of CAN 4Kg Printing and photocopies 36 copies Irrigation TOTAL 18450

14 Data collected will be summarized and subjected to statistical analysis by Genstat software package and subjected top ANOVAanalysis of variance with significant treatments separated by Student Newman Keuls at p< 0.05 level of confidence

15 Ciba-Geigy, Manual for trials in plant protection. Werner Puntener, agricultural Division, Ciba-Geigy Limited< Switzerland. Nyandat N.N. and D.O. Michieka Soils in kirima kimwe, faculty of agriculture farm. National Agricultural Laboratory. Ministry of agriculture. Kenya (Washington state university portal) (EXTOXNET- Extension Toxicology Network, portal)