ABSTRACT
To determine the contribution
of the interactive effect of weed control methods and fungicides application on
groundnut growth, yield and quality, two experiments were conducted in the
major and minor seasons of 2015 at the Council for Scientific and Industrial
Research – Crops Research Institute (CSIR-CRI), Kwadaso station. Experiments
were factorial laid in RCBD with four replications and variety Yenyawso was
planted. Weed control treatments in the major season were: 3X Hand weeding
(HW), Butachlor (preemergence), Bentazone @ 3 weeks after planting (WAP),
Propaquizafop @ 3 WAP + HW @ 5 WAP, Bentazone + Propaquizafop @ 3 WAP,
Butachlor + Bentazone + Propaquizafop @ 5 WAP, and Butachlor + HW @ 5 WAP.
Minor season weed control treatments were: Metolachlor (PRE), Imazethapyr
(POST) @ 3
WAP, PRE + POST, PRE + HW @ 5 WAP, POST + HW @ 5WAP, PRE + POST + HW @ 5 WAP,
2X HW, and a Non-weeded control. Fungicide treatments were: No Fungicides
application or Terbuconazole (4 and 6 WAP) followed by Azoxystrobin (5 and 7
WAP) for both seasons. No fungicides and herbicide interaction (p>0.05) were
recorded due to the dry weather conditions in 2015, which did not support
disease development, apart from the tolerance of the variety planted. Bentazone
was effective on Commelina benghalensis while Imazethapyr effectively
suppressed Commelina benghalensis and Euphorbia heterophylla. All
weed control treatments except preemergence only or the non -weeded
effectively (p<0 -2.3="" -="" .05="" 1.6="" 1.7="" 100="" 2-3x="" 2.1="" 2.2="" 43="" 71="" and="" density="" enhanced="" followed-up="" for="" growth="" ha.="" ha="" herbicides="" however="" hw="" in="" integration="" loss="" lots="" manual="" non-weeded="" of="" only="" peanut="" pod="" postemergence="" preemergence="" recorded="" reduced="" resulted="" seed="" similar="" the="" tons="" was="" weed="" weeding="" weight="" were="" with="" yield.="" yield="">0.05) regardless of treatments. While preemergence
herbicides only or non-weeded treatments had ≤ 55% unfilled pods, ≤ 20% unfilled pods
were recorded for other weed control treatments. Aflatoxin levels of fresh and
dried seeds were very low (≤ 2.0 ppb). Herbicides – manual weeding integration
reduced weed control time requirement by 55 – 70% relative to manual weeding
only (64 -67 man-days/hectare/season). Cost of manual weeding was GH₵790.00 –
1,668.00 depending on farmer practice and herbicide – manual weeding
integration reduced manual weeding cost by 26 – 66%.
CHAPTER ONE
1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background
Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) has attained status as a food
and cash crop due to its importance in both the domestic and export markets.
Being the fourth most important oilseed crop and second most important source
of vegetable oil in the world, its products are for both domestic and
industrial use (Guchi, 2015; Kombiok et al., 2012).
Groundnut is cultivated in over 100 countries worldwide
(Khidir, 1997). Developing countries cultivate 97% of the global area under
cultivation and over 90% of the world’s groundnuts are produced in developing
countries. The production of groundnut is concentrated in Asia and Sub-Saharan
Africa (56% and 40% of the global area and 68% and 26% of the global
production, respectively) (El Naim et al., 2010; Angelucci and Bazzucchi,
2013).
Groundnut production and area under cultivation in Ghana
increased by 69 and 47% respectively between 1999 and 2010 even though
production is done mainly by peasants with less than one hectare to four
hectares of arable lands (Angelucci and Bazzucchi, 2013; Bolfrey-Arku et al,.
2006; Yussif,
2014). Though groundnuts form significant part of Ghanaian diet, production
is constrained by poor cultural practices, inadequate pest (including weeds)
and disease management practices coupled with improper postharvest handling
which often leads to high levels of produce and product contamination.
Consequently, aflatoxin levels in most products exceed those defined as safe
for human consumption.
Early management of weeds within 3–6 weeks after planting is
important in groundnut production because the crop is not able to compete
effectively with weeds, particularly before flowering and during pegging (SARI,
2014). Prolonged weed-groundnut interference is a contributing factor to low
haulm and pod yield. Early good weed control together with other agronomic
practices if followed, promotes vigorous crop growth that can suppress
subsequent weed growth (El Naim et al., 2010) especially crop cultivars with
running growth habit.
Hand weeding (hoeing) is the most widely practiced cultural
weed control method for most field crop production because of the assumed
prohibitive costs of herbicides, fear of toxic residue coupled with the lack of
knowledge on appropriate herbicides and rates for various crops including
groundnut production (El Naim et al., 2010; Bolfrey-Arku, personal
communication). Chikoye et al. (2007) reported that 50 – 70% of total labour
time of the smallholder farmers is spent on hand weeding; while women provide
more than 90% of the weeding labour (Ukekje, 2004). Thus, majority of farm
women become so constrained and stressed, not having much time to engage in
other socioeconomic activities.
Disease management practices are also rarely carried out
during field production and /or post harvest handling, imposing a lot of stress
on crop; this paves way for aflatoxin contamination (Guchi, 2015). Hence,
developing countries are not able to sell large quantities of groundnuts on the
international market because of aflatoxin contamination (FAO, 2002) and more
than $750 million is lost due to aflatoxin contamination of groundnuts and
other cereals (Coulibaly et al., 2008).
To mitigate these constraints was the inception of the Peanut
and Mycotoxin Innovation Laboratory (PMIL), a collaborative project between the
US and Ghana, aimed at improving groundnut production, storage and processing
and as well encourages practices that will reduce aflatoxin contamination.
1.2 Problem
statement
Smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa including Ghana
realize 70% lower yields than on research fields mostly due to inappropriate
and untimely weed and disease management practices as well as labour
constraints. About 40% to 70% of agricultural cost of production worldwide is
accounted for by labour and weed control alone is reported to constitute about
40% of the total farm labour. Previous surveys indicate that about 96% of
groundnut farmers in Ghana rely on manual weed control (hoe – 91% and cutlass -
4%), whereas only 4% use herbicides. It is believed that most farmers in Ghana
cultivate small areas principally because of weed control issues, and
unavailability and high cost of labour for manual weed control in the
production regions. Agricultural productivity consequently has become limited
through time consumption, drudgery and increased monetary investments.
Aflatoxin contamination of the rather limited yields also occurs and increases
at all steps of the groundnut supply chain including production in the field.
Hence, a well-timed weed and disease management practices including a
comprehensive cost analysis are major key operations needed for yield and
quality improvement for a sustainable groundnut industry.
1.3 Justification
It is evidently clear that, effective weed management and
disease control regimes which remove weed interference and disease incidence
will increase cultivated area and groundnut haulm, pod and kernel yield.
Control of noxious weeds which affect pod development and create secondary pathways for pathogens
and disease incidence will also improve pod and kernel quality. A combined
method approach toward weed and disease management therefore has the potential
to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of weed and disease control,
reduce time spent on weed management, reduce cost of weed control, reduce the
possible health risks involved in manual weeding (especially hoeing), increase
cultivated area and yields, reduce stresses on the crop and hence aflatoxin
incidence, and ultimately increase profit of both peasants and large scale
farmers.
1.4 Main Objective
The major objective of the study was to assess pest and
disease management options for enhanced groundnut productivity to mitigate
aflatoxin incidence.
1.5 Specific
Objectives
The specific objectives were to:
Evaluate the effect of herbicides and hand weeding on weed
incidence and control.
Determine the interactive effect of herbicides and fungicides
application on groundnut growth, yield, and pod and kernel quality/aflatoxin
level.
Assess the economics of the weed management strategies.
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