Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-gb8f7 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-30T15:22:39.400Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Frequency of Weeding Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) for Optimum Growth and Yield

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 October 2008

G. O. Iremiren
Affiliation:
Department of Crop Production, Federal University of Technology, PMB 704, Akure, Nigeria

Summary

Field experiments were carried out during the rainy seasons of 1985 and 1986 to examine the frequency of weeding necessary for the optimum growth and yield of okra in Nigeria. Weed removal within 12 weeks of sowing generally resulted in significantly better crop growth and yield than that in the weedy check. Weeding once as early as four weeks was as beneficial to okra growth and yield as two or three weedings later in the 12 week period. Weed removal four times at 3, 6, 9 and 12 weeks significantly enhanced crop growth and pod yield over all other treatments. For good pod yields, protection from weed competition over most of the duration of crop growth is therefore essential. Such weed removal may enhance crop yield partly by increasing aeration and water movement in the soil.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1988

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

Akobundu, I. O. (1981). Weed interference and control in white yam (Discorea rotundata Poir). Weed Research 21:267272.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Drennan, D. S. H. & Jennings, E. A. (1977). Weed competition in irrigated cotton (Gossypium barbadense L.) and groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) in the Sudan Gezira. Weed Research 17:39.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Iremiren, G. O. (1987). Effects of artificial defoliation on the growth and yield of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus). Experimental Agriculture 23:17.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Nieto, H. J., Bernado, M. A. & Gonzalez, J. T. (1968). Critical periods of the crop growth cycle for competition from weeds. PANS (C)14:159166.Google Scholar
Onochie, B. E. (1975). Critical period for weed control in cassava in Nigeria. PANS 21:5457.Google Scholar
Roberts, H. A. (1976). Weed competition in vegetable crops. Annals of Applied Biology 83:321324.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Scott, R. K., Wilcockson, S. J. & Moisey, F. R. (1979). The effects of time of weed removal on growth and yield of sugar beet. Journal of Agricultural Science, Cambridge 93:693709.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Yadav, S. K., Bhan, V. M. & Singh, S. P. (1983). Crop-weed competition studies in mung beans (Vigna radiata). Experimental Agriculture 19:337340.CrossRefGoogle Scholar