EFFECTS OF PENDIMETHALIN AND OXYFLUROFEN HERBICIDES ON WEED CONTROL IN ONION NURSERY

Abstract

This study was conducted at Shambat Research Station farm (ARC), during the winter season of 2004-2005, to evaluate the efficacy of weed control using two pre-emergence herbicides. Goal herbicide (Oxyflurofen) applied at three doses (0.0625kg.a.i/fed), (0.050kga.i/fed), (0.03750kg,a.i/fed) and Stomp (Pendimethalin) (0.4687 kg.a.i./fed) (0.3750kg.a.i/fed) (0.2812kg.a.i/fed) to see the tolerance of the onion crop (Allium cepa L) to these herbicide treatments. Results have shown that the herbicide Goal at its high dose (0.0625kg a.i/fed) gave a significant increase in plant height, compared to the unweeded control. At dose (0.4687 Kga.i./fed) of good significant increase was achieved in length of leaves compared to the control. The two herbicides, Stomp at rate (0.4687 kg.a.i/fed) and Goal at rate (0.0625kg a. I/fed) gave excellent and persistent control of annual grasses. However, they gave moderate control on annual broad – leaved weeds. In comparing, the two herbicides from results it is evident that the best weed control was achieved with Stomp herbicide at rate (0.4687 kg a.i./fed). Some of the weed species in the experimental site such as Datura stramonium L. (Sakaran) Datura innoxia Mill. Xanthium brasillicum Waller, Merremia emarginata (Brun), and Ipomea 7 cordofana, have shown some tolerance as manifested by their appearance in the herbicide treated plots. The effect of Stomp herbicide at rates ( (0.2812),(0.375), (0.4687)kg a.i./fed) on yield of onion seedlings significantly increased the yield over the control and gave comparable yields to weeded control. Goal at rates ((0.0375),(0.050),(0.0625) kg.a.i/fed)) significantly increased the onion seedlings yield ,but at highest rate ( 0.0625 kg .a.i./fed ) the yield obtained was not significant over the control and gave yield lower the weeded plots.