International Journal of Agriculture and Technology
Open AccessOptimising Groundnut (Arachis Hypogea L.) Yield: The Impact of Tillage Systems and Integrated Weed-Control Strategies on Growth, Soil Properties, and Productivity
Authors: Ndam Lawrence Monah, Nkongho Raymond Ndip, Ulrich Malanfeh Taliah, Njilar Rita Mungfu
Abstract
While the low yield of groundnuts is attributed mostly to poor tillage practices, weed infestation significantly affects the yield of groundnuts. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of tillage systems and weed-control methods on the growth and yield of groundnut and soil physical properties. A two-factor experiment comprising tillage (complete and minimum) and weed control (control, free weed check, hand weeding at 20 and 60 DAS, Metropole pre-emergence herbicide at 480g/l/h, Paraq post-emergence herbicide at 200g/l/ha, integrated Metropole at 240g/l/ha, Paraq at 100g/l/ha and hand weeding) was conducted at the University of Buea, randomly assigned with three replicates. The results showed that tillage systems and weed control methods, and their interaction, had a significant effect on groundnut growth parameters. The yield of groundnut was higher in complete tillage (2.09t/ ha), while free weed check had a higher yield (2.59t/ha), and complete tillage interaction with free weed check had the highest yield (2.85t/ha). The soil moisture, bulk density, and porosity were significantly influenced by different tillage practices and weed control methods. All weed control methods effectively reduced weed density, increased species richness and decreased abundance, hence improved groundnut yield. It is observed that conventional tillage in combination with hand-weeding or weed-free check is recommended for effective weed control and improvement of groundnut yield.
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