Work

Evaluation of a pre-formulated post-emergence herbicide mixture of topramezone and dicamba on annual weeds and Bermuda grass in maize in a sub-tropical agro-ecology

Year: 2019

Type: article

Abstract: Weed infestation is one of the major causes of low maize grain yield in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The perennial grass weed, Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers., is one of the most problematic weeds in maize in SSA. A pre-formulated post-emergence herbicide mixture (50 g a.i. topramezone litre −1 + 160 g a.i. dicamba litre −1 ), sold under the trade name Stellar-Star ® , was evaluated for C. dactylon and general weed control in the 2013/14 and 2014/15 season. The experiment was laid out as a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with six treatments replicated thrice, namely; weedy control, hoe weeding at 3 and 6 weeks after crop emergence (WACE), a label recommended dose of Stellar-Star at 3 WACE, a reduced Stellar-Star dose (75% of label dose) at 3 WACE, a double dose of Stellar-Star split applied at 3 and 6 WACE and a tank mix of label doses of Stellar-Star + Atrazine applied at 3 WACE. The Stellar-Star herbicide treatments did not significantly (P > 0.05) affect C. dactylon density at 5 WACE but significantly reduced (P < 0.001) its density at 10 WACE. The Stellar-Star herbicide treatments significantly reduced (P < 0.001) weed biomass compared to the weedy-check at 5 and 10 WACE in both seasons. The Stellar-Star double dose split application and the Stellar-Star Atrazine tank mix were most effective in controlling C.dactylon (90–97% control) followed by the Stellar-Star label dose and Stellar-Star reduced dose (75%–88% control), however, the results of this study suggest that the Stellar-Star Atrazine tank mix provided the most effective early season and overall weed control and resulted in the highest yield, rainfall use efficiency (RUE) and gross margin and is recommended.

Source: Heliyon

DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2019.e01712

Authors: Justin Chipomho, Solomon Mupeti, Caroline Chipomho, Nilton Mashavakure, Arnold Bray Mashingaidze

Institutions: University of Zimbabwe, Marondera University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Chinhoyi University of Technology

Language: English

Topic: Weed Control and Herbicide Applications

Subfield: Plant Science

Field: Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Zero hunger

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,500