Weed cloth, an option for integrated weed management for short‐duration cassava

Abstract

Weeds, a major constraint in cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz), cause 45-75% yield loss. Weed management in short-duration cassava is unexplored. Field experiment was conducted during 2013-2015 at ICAR-Central Tuber Crops Research Institute (CTCRI), Kerala, India, in a split-plot design. Main plots comprised three shortduration cassava varieties (H-165, Sree Vijaya, and Vellayani Hraswa) and subplots five weed control methods, chemical (using pre-emergence herbicide, oxyfluorfen at 0.2 kg a.i. ha −1 on the day of planting), mulching with crop residues and green manure, weed control ground cover cloth (WCGCC), hand-weeded, and unweeded controls. Weed flora was dominated by broad-leaved weeds, hog weed or red spiderling (Boerhavia diffusa L.), colored fleabane (Vernonia cinerea L.), red tassel flower [Emilia sonchifolia (L.)], Asian spiderflower or tick weed (Cleome viscosa L.) and the nutsedge (Cyperus rotundus L.), which were absent under WCGCC. Plant height, stem girth, leaf production, tuber biomass, total biomass, crop growth rate, and tuber yield under WCGCC and chemical treatment were greater. The yield under WCGCC was 35 and 15% greater than hand-weeding and chemical methods, respectively. The yield in chemical method was 17% greater than hand-weeding. Combination of crop residues and green manuring were alternatives to chemical and handweeding methods. Unrestricted weed growth reduced yield by 74% over hand-weeding. Weed index was lowest in WCGCC, but similar to chemical and eco-friendly practices. Chemical method generated highest net income and benefit/cost ratio (US$3,315 and 3.4, respectively). The WCGCC, pre-emergence herbicide, and biomass mulching can be components of integrated weed management in cassava.

Effects of microwave, ultrasound, and various treatments on the reduction of antinutritional factors in elephant foot yam: A review

“…Oxalates can bind to calcium during this process, forming insoluble calcium oxalate, which subsequently builds up in the kidneys. This calcium oxalate is thought to make up about 75% of all kidney stones (Suja et al, 2021).…”