International Journal of Agriculture and Agricultural Sciences Vol. 1 (1), pp. 001-008, September, 2013. © Advanced Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Effects of Pendimenthalin and its Atrazine mixture on the weeds and Jute (Corchorus olitorius) seed

*Aluko O.A¹, Smith M.A.K², Olasoji J.O¹, Amosun J.O¹, Olayiwola L.O¹, Adeniyan N.O¹ and Kareem K.O¹.

¹Institute of Agricultural research and Training, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ibadan.

²Department of Crop, Soil and Pest Management,  Federal University of Technology, Akure.

*Corresponding author.E-mail:[email protected]

Acceptance 9 September, 2013

 Abstract

The effectiveness of pendimenthalin (Stomp^R) and pendimethalin mixture with atrazine for early weed control in Corchorus olitorius L. was evaluated in Akure in the tropical rainforest zone of southwestern Nigeria. Stomp^R was applied at 1, 2, 3 and 4 L.ha^-1 while the herbicide mixture was applied sequentially at 4 + 4 L.ha^-1. Plots were kept weedy and weeded twice to serve as controls. All herbicide treatments were significantly phytotoxic in plots treated with 1 to 2 L.ha^-1 stomp^R. Herbicide phytotoxicity to the crop was more distinct in laboratory bioassay test suggesting the inhibitory action of herbicide on seedling radicle growth. Weed occurrence decreased significantly with herbicide application compared to untreated plots at 2 weeks after treatment (WAT) and more distinctly at the highest rates of herbicide application at 4 WAT. Thereafter however, weed occurrence and growth increased rapidly but weed cover reduced from 83.5% in Stomp^R treated plot to 34.9%, in plots treated with herbicide mixture. Also, surviving weed stands had comparable growth in plots treated with 1-2 L.ha^-1 Stomp^R. Euphorbia heterophylla, Calopogonium mucunoides, Chromolaena odorata, Ageratum conyzoides, Synedrella nodiflora Rottboella cochinchinensis and Commelina spp. were predominant at the lower herbicide rates, but only E. heterophylla and C. mucunoides persisted as major weeds at the higher rates. Stomp at 1-2 L.ha-¹ gave relatively effective weed control, but lower rates need to be used to minimize residue poisoning in harvested green leaves.

Keywords: Pendimenthalin, atrazine, weedy control and weed free control, weed occurrence.