Effect of Herbicide Application on the Shoot Biomass of two Cowpea Varieties_ Esther Afolabi

Abstract

This project work was aimed at investigating the effect of pre-emergence and post-emergence herbicide application on the shoot biomass of two cowpea varieties in Minna, Nigeria. The field experiment was conducted at the Federal University of Technology, Minna, which lies within the southern Guinea Savanna of Nigeria. Two cowpea varieties (SAMPEA-8/IT93K-4521-1 and SAMPEA-16/IT07K-292-10) were used for the trial and were obtained from the Institute for Agricultural Research, Samaru Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. The experiment consisted of four weed management control treatments, including a weedy check, manual weeding, and two levels of herbicide application. The herbicides used were Botachlor and Legume Force for pre-emergence and post-emergence weed control, respectively, and Lamda Cyhalothrim for insect control. The shoot biomass of the cowpea plants was measured at weeks 3, 6, and 9 after planting. Surface soil samples were also collected at weeks 3, 6, and 9 and analyzed for their physical and chemical properties. The results showed that the use of herbicides significantly affected the shoot biomass of the cowpea plants. The pre-emergence application of Botachlor and the post-emergence application of Legume Force resulted in higher shoot biomass compared to the manual weeding and weedy check treatments. The soil analysis showed that the physical and chemical properties of the soil were not significantly affected by the different treatments. These findings suggest that the use of pre-emergence and post-emergence herbicides can enhance the growth of cowpea plants and increase their yield, without significantly affecting the physical and chemical properties of the soil. This study has implications for sustainable agriculture and food security in Nigeria, as it provides insights into the effective use of herbicides in cowpea cultivation.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Contents

COVER PAGE

TITLE PAGE

DECLARATION

CERTIFICATION

DEDICATION

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

ABSTRACT

TABLE OF CONTENT

LIST OF TABLES

           CHAPTER ONE

Page

i

ii

iii

iv

v

vi

vii

viii

xi

INTRODUCTION

1

 

Background of the study 1

Justification of the Study 2

Aim of the Study 2

Objectives of the study

Statement of hypothesis 2 3

 

CHAPTER TWO

LITERATURE REVIEW

Reviews on Cowpea

Origin and domestication of cowpea

Production of Cowpea

Importance of Cowpea

Environmental Requirement

Climate

Morphology and characteristics

Cowpea Cultivation

Herbicides

Pre Emergence Herbicides

Post Emergence Herbicides

The Shoot system

Cowpea Shoot system

Cowpea Shoot Biomass

CHAPTER THREE

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Study Site

Varieties of  Cowpea used

Source of seed

Field Experiment

Insect Control

Treatments and Experimental Design

Agronomic Practices

Soil Sampling and Analysis

Growth and Shoot Biomass Analysis

Statistical Analysis

CHAPTER FOUR

RESULTS

Physical and Chemical Properties of soil

Effect of herbicide application on the biomass of cowpea

CHAPTER FIVE

DISCUSSION, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Discussion

Conclusion

Recommendation

References

 

 

 

 

LIST OF TABLES

Page

Varieties of Cowpea used

Effect of herbicide application on the biomass of cowpea

Effect of herbicide application on the biomass of cowpea