Weed management strategies for the control of <i>Rottboellia cochinchinensis</i> in maize in Trinidad

Pot and field studies were conducted to determine the effect of the duration of Rottboellia cochinchinensis [Lour.] W. D. Clayton presence or absence on the growth, development and yield of Z. mays L., and to establish the length of the critical period of weed interference. The crop was maintained weed-free or weedinfested throughout the growth season or for periods of 0, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 weeks after emergence (w.a.e.), respectively. The crop and weed densities used were 55 000 plants/ha, and 55 plants/m 2 , respectively. Regression models were fitted to the growth data and comparison of the relevant regression lines made. The results indicated that the presence or absence of the weed for the varying periods had no effect on the crop plant height, leaf area ratio (LAR), relative growth rate (RGR), net assimilation rate (NAR), and crop growth rate (CGR), but there was consistent trend of reduced LAI and shoot dry weight in the weed-infested treatments. Increasing the periods of weed-free treatments increased yields exponentially, while increasing the periods of the weed infestation decreased yields exponentially. The study demonstrated a critical period of R. cochinchinensis interference on Z. mays growth and development, and yield from 0 to 63 d.a.e., and suggests that the reduction in crop yield may be through non-competitive interference by the weed on the crop. Madrid etal. (1972), considered the 42 days after planting as the critical period of competition for a 120-day maturity period maize where R. cochinchinensis was the predominent weed at high densities in the Philippines. Sharma and Zelaya (1986), in Honduras, found the critical period of competition to be between 30 and 45 days after emergence, and recommended that plots should be kept weed-free during this period to avoid significant yield reductions.Detailed studies on the factors causing reduced maize yield due to the weed interference are lacking, and it is unclear whether the critical period indicates a stage when weeds are most actively interfering with crop growth (Burnside and Wicks, 1967), or rather simply a stage at which weed removal will prevent subsequent loss in yield (McWhorter and Anderson, 1979).The objectives of this research were to determine the effects of different periods of R. cochinchinensis presence and absence on the growth, development and yield of maize, and to establish whether there is a critical period of interference by R. cochinchinensis, and if so, its duration.

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“…These results are similar to those obtained by Bridgemohan and Brathwaite (1989) for maize grown under similar conditions in Trinidad.…”

Section: Plant Heightsupporting

confidence: 90%

The effects ofRottboellia cochinchinensison the growth, development and yield of maize

Bridgemohan¹,

McDavid²,

Bekele³

et al. 1992

Tropical Pest Management

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“…These data suggest that L. ledermannii will tolerate a lower fertility level than will itchgrass. This is consistent with the findings that itchgrass is a weed species for food crops such as maize and cassava [27][28][29][30], which require important investments for high productivities in the tropics. However, the ash and nitrogen contents did not change significantly from May to August.…”

Section: Effect Of Season On Foliar Silica Accumulationsupporting

confidence: 81%

“…While it is feared by farmers because of its difficult control and progress [27][28][29][30], R. cochinchinensis largely contributes to grassland biomass production for feeding herbivores in West African tropical grasslands including the northern Benin as its maximum biomass in the studied area is 1018 ± 678 g DM ha −1 [16,18]. The species and a complex of other grass and broadleaved plants are routinely grazed by herbivores [16,31] and its fruits are used in feeding poultry [32].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Effect of Seasonal Variations, Covariations with Minerals and Forage Value on Itchgrass’ Foliar Silicification from Sudanian Benin

Kindomihou

Sinsin

Ambouta

et al. 2015

Silicon

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“…mays L.) in Trinidad and Tobago. More than 40% of maize production is seriously infested, and populations of 90 to 150 plants mp2 are observed in large scale maize production systems even when the recommended management practices are used (Bridgemohan & Brathwaite, 1989). The weed displays a high level of persistence (40% to 60% endogenous dormancy) on cultivated soils and is able to remain viable at depths of 45 cm (Bridgemohan, Brathwaite & McDavid, 1991).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A model of the competitive relationships between R. cochinchinensis and Z. mays

Bridgemohan

McDavid

1993

Annals of Applied Biology

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An understanding of the competitive relationship between weed and crop can be used in assessing what physiological aspects of the association can be exploited in the control of the weed. Field and greenhouse studies were conducted with Z. mays L. and Rottboellia cochinchinensis (Lour.) W D Clayton using a modified replacement series model in which the overall weed crop density in each treatment was maintained as a constant, but the proportion of the two species varied. The results indicated that the crop had greater competitive ability (KmJ than the weed even at increasing weed densities. Under field conditions, the values of the Plant Relative Yield (PRY) indicated that severe specific competition was occurring and suggested that some environmental factor was limiting, while the Relative Yield Total (RYT) suggest that either the crop and the weed were exploiting the resources in mutual antagonism or that allelopathy was occurring. The limiting environmental factor that both species exploited in mutual antagonism in the field was light under conditions of adequate soil moisture and nutrients.

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Weed management strategies for the control of Rottboellia cochinchinensis in maize in Trinidad

Cited by 15 publications

References 7 publications

The effects ofRottboellia cochinchinensison the growth, development and yield of maize

The effects ofRottboellia cochinchinensison the growth, development and yield of maize

The Effect of Seasonal Variations, Covariations with Minerals and Forage Value on Itchgrass’ Foliar Silicification from Sudanian Benin

A model of the competitive relationships between R. cochinchinensis and Z. mays

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