EFFECT OF SOWING DATE AND WEED INFESTATION ON THE PERFORMANCE OF TWO VARIETIES OF IRRIGATED WHEAT (Triticum aestivum L).
EFFECT OF SOWING DATE AND WEED INFESTATION ON THE PERFORMANCE OF TWO VARIETIES OF IRRIGATED WHEAT (Triticum aestivum L).
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Date
1998
Authors
SHUAIBU, UBOSHARU ADAMU
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Abstract
A field trial to study the effect of sowing date and weed infestation on the
performance of two varieties (Siete cerros (Samwhit-5) and (Florence Aurore 8193
(Samwhit-2) of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Sown under irrigation was conducted on the
Farm of the Institute for Agricultural Research, Ahmadu Bello University, Samaru - Zaria
during the 1994/95 and 1995/1996 dry seasons. The growth and performance of the two
varieties of wheat sown at ten dates (S1-S10) and kept weedy or weed free were evaluated in
the two dry seasons. In each dry season, the ten sowing dates were spaced at ten days
interval beginning from November 18 to February 16.
Delay in sowing date, significantly increased weed population and dry weight. The
highest weed dry weight was generally recorded at the last sowing date at all the sampling
periods in the two dry seasons. Unchecked weed, significantly reduced plant count, Leaf
Area Index, plant height, effective tillers per m2 length of spike, spikelet/spike, grain/spike,
grain weight/spike straw weight and hence the grain yield of wheat. The growth and yield
attributes of wheat such as plant count, tiller count. LAI, plant height effective tillers, length
of spike, spikelet/spike grain/spike grain weight/spike, 1000-grain weight straw weight, were
also significantly depressed as the sowing date was delayed. The grain yield of the crop was
consequently depressed by later sowing. However, the grain yield obtained with the first
three sowing dates 18/11, 28/11 and 8/12 did not differ significantly in the two dry seasons.
Delay to the third sowing date, caused a yield reduction of 9.8% and 11.5% for 1994/95 and
1995/96 dry seasons respectively while further delay to the last date caused 81.4% and 94.9%
yield reduction for 1994/95 and 1995/96 dry seasons respectively. It is therefore
recommended that sowing of wheat should not be beyond 8th December to avoid weed
problems and reduction in grain yield.
Description
A Thesis submitted to the Postgraduate School, Ahmadu BelloUniversity, Zaria in partial
fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in Agronomy
DEPARTMENT OF AGRONOMY
FACULTY OF AGRICULTURE
AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA
NIGERIA
NOVEMBER, 1998
Keywords
EFFECT,, SOWING,, WEED INFESTATION,, TWO VARIETIES,, IRRIGATED WHEAT,, Triticum aestivum