MICROCLIMATE MODIFICATION AND WEED GROWTH IN TRADITIONAL MILLET/COWPEA AND MILLET/ SORGHUM/COWPEA INTERCROPS IN TOE SUDAN SAVANNA OF NIGERIA
MICROCLIMATE MODIFICATION AND WEED GROWTH IN TRADITIONAL MILLET/COWPEA AND MILLET/ SORGHUM/COWPEA INTERCROPS IN TOE SUDAN SAVANNA OF NIGERIA
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Date
1996
Authors
UDO-INYANG, CHALES UDUAK
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Abstract
Crop environment and weed interaction were assessed in
miliet/cowpea and millet/cowpea/sorghum cropping systems
under traditional and improved agronomic conditions in Che
Sudan Savanna zone of Nigeria. The specific objectives of the
experiment were to measure the effect of the intercropping
on light transmission, assess the effect of intercropping on
the soil and canopy temperature, and to quantity the effect
of the intercropped environment on the type, yield ana
frequency of weed growth, one variety of millet (EX bornu),
two varieties of sorghum (1CSV-400 and Gaya Early) ana two
varieties of cowpea (Dan-ilia and IT89KD-3/4) were used for
this study in the intercropped combination. Two fertility
levels (organic manure and inorganic fertilizer) were also
employed. Microclimatological and plant indices measured
include light transmission, soil temperature, canopy
temperature, weed frequency, weed and crop shoot biomass.
Results show that canopy temperature, soil temperature,
and light transmission within the canopy were lower in the
intercropped combinations than in the sole, weed dry weights
were also lower on the average in the intercrops than in sole
plots, although sole crops of millet and sorqnum were planted
at a higher density than the intercrops, in intercropping
combinations associated with sorghum, sorghum lCSV-400 was
observed to be more efficient in suppressing weeds than the
local Gaya Early variety, it was also observed that Digitaria
horizontalis and Cyperus esculentus showed the hignest
frequency of occurrence for both trials. This study indicates
that controlling the weed regime of the cropping systems of
the study area is dependent upon understanding the light
reactions of these two notorious weeds.
Description
A thesis submitted to the Postgraduate School, Ahmadu Bello
University, Zaria in partial fulfillment for the award of
Master of Science degree.
Department of Soil Science
Faculty of Agriculture
Ahmadu Bello University
Zaria
1996
Keywords
MICROCLIMATE,, MODIFICATION,, WEED,, GROWTH,, TRADITIONAL,, MILLET/COWPEA, MILLET/SORGHUM/COWPEA, INTERCROPS,, TOE,, SUDAN,, SAVANNA,, NIGERIAN.