Evaluation of Siam and Mimosa Bioherbicides as Alternative Weed Control in Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) Production
*Daramola, D. S.; Oyekale, K. O.; Denton, O. A.; Nwangburuka, C. C.; Nwokocha, A. G. and Koleowo, Y. A.
Department of Agronomy and Landscape Design
School of Agricultural Sciences Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo Nigeria
*Correspondence: kenoye3@yahoo.com
樂威壯
Accepted on July 23, 2014
Abstract
This study aimed at evaluating the potentials of Siam and Mimosa weeds as bioherbicides along with a chemical herbicide, Force-Uron and their combinations for weed control efficacy, growth and nodulation of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata). It was a pot experiment carried out at the Farm House of the School of Agriculture and Industrial Technology, Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, Nigeria with six treatments, namely: Control (no herbicides), chemical herbicide (Force-Uron) applied sole at 4 liters/ha, Siam weed (bioherbicide) applied sole at 30 kg/ha, Mimosa weed (bioherbicide) applied sole at 30 kg/ha, 50:50 chemical herbicide/ bioherbicide (Siam weed) and 50:50 chemical herbicide/ bioherbicide (Mimosa weed); with four replications in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD). Results showed that Siam bioherbicide was superior in terms of weed control, stimulation of higher nodule weight and higher cowpea shoot, tissue N concentration than the Mimosa bioherbicide. The applications of the two 50:50 chemical herbicide/bioherbicide combinations showed higher efficacy in weed control in terms of low weed count and dry matter weight, as well as nodulation especially nodule dry weight, than the application of the sole herbicide types- an expression of synergy in respect of combined use of chemical herbicide and bioherbicides.