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.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.