INFLUENCE OF WEED CONTROL ON GROWTH AND YIELD OF RICE (Oryza sativa L.) IN SUDAN SAVANNAH OF KEBBI STATE, NIGERIA

Weeds are unwanted plants that cause reduction growth and yield on rice production through
competition for light, nutrient, water and space. Rice is one of the most important staple cereal
crop in Africa. A field trial was conducted at the Teaching and Research Fadama Farm of
Abdullahi Fodio University of Science and Technology Aleiro, Nigeria, to evaluate the effect
of weed control treatments on growth and yield of rice. The experiment consisted of five weed
control treatments which included three rates of Patriac herbicide (0.2L/ha at 10DAT, 0.3L/ha
at 20DAT, and 0.2 + 0.3L/ha at 10 and 20 DAT), manual weeding and weedy check. The
treatments were laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three
replications. Data were collected on Plant Height (cm), Number of Leaf, Leaf Length (cm), Flag
Leaf Length (cm), Tiller Count, Weed Density, Number of Days to 50% Flowering, Panicle
Length (cm), Number of Seed/Spike, Total Grain Weight (Kg), Fresh Straw Yield (g) and 100
Grain Weight (g). Data obtained were subjected to Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and
significant means were separated using Least Significance Difference at 5% Probability level.
The results showed that there is a statistical difference among treatments at 0.05% probability
level except for the 20DAT and Number of Days to 50% flowering. Application of Partriac at
0.2l/ha + 0.3l/ha at 10 and 20DAT tallest plant with (39.13
a
), (46.80a), (55.47
a
) (84.67
a
), (99.80
a
)
at 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60DAT respectively. It could be concluded that the combine application of
Patriarc herbicide dosages (0.2 and 0.3L/ha at 10 and 20 DAT) gave better performance on weed
control, as it’s enhances the growth and yield of rice than the single dose application and
therefore recommended for usage by farmers.