Browsing by Author "Takim, Felix Ogar"
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Item Advantages of Maize-Cowpea Intercropping over Sole Cropping through Competition Indices(Journal of Agriculture and Biodiversity Research, 2012-06-17) Takim, Felix OgarDifferent mix-proportions and planting patterns of maize (Zea mays L.) and cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) were compared with the sole cropping of each crop during 2010 and 2011 growing seasons under the southern Guinea savanna conditions in Nigeria. The experiment comprised of 6 treatments: sole maize (51,282 plants ha-1), sole cowpea (61,538 plants ha-1) and 4 maize-cowpea intercropping mixproportion: 100 maize:100 cowpea, 50 maize:50 cowpea, 60 maize:40 cowpea and 40 maize:60 cowpea, using randomized complete block design with three replications. Evaluation of the intercropping patterns was performed on basis of several intercropping indices such as land equivalent ratio (LER), relative crowding coefficient (K), aggressivity (A), competitive ratio (CR), actual yield loss (AYL), and intercropping index (IA). The study revealed that the mix-proportion of 50 maize: 50 cowpea, gave a similar grain yield compared to other intercropped plots, better land use efficiency, significantly (p≤ 0.05) lowest actual yield loss of 23 % and a significantly (p≤ 0.05) higher intercropping advantage of +574.66. The study also revealed that intercropping systems could be an eco-friendly approach for reducing weed problems through non-chemical methods, mix-proportion of 50 maize: 50 cowpea, planted on alternate rows could be a better intercropping patternItem Effect of weed removal on insect populations and yield of Cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L) Walp](Australian Journal of Agricultural Engineering, 2010-04-01) Takim, Felix Ogar; Uddin II, R.OField studies were conducted during the cropping seasons of 2008 and 2009 at Ilorin, Nigeria to evaluate the influence of weed removal on insect population and yield of cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L) Walp]. The trial was designed as a randomized complete block in a split-plot arrangement and three replications. The main plots were two cowpea varieties while the sub plots were three weeding regimes (no-weeding, 1 hand weeding at 3 weeks after sowing and 2 hand weeding at 3 and 6 weeks after sowing). The cowpea varieties were similar in most of the parameters assessed. Reduced cowpea biomass, pods and grain yield were associated with weedy cowpea plots. Grain yield reduction due to uncontrolled weed growth was estimated to be 50-60 % and 70-80 % compared to one-hand weeding and two-hand weeding, respectively, while a yield reduction of 30-60 % in one-hand weeding compared to two-hand weeding. Weedy situation in the cowpea ecosystem supported higher insect population whereas Aphis craccivora Koch and Empoasca spp. population increased when the crops experienced weed-free situation because of the influence of groundcover on the optomotor landing response of the aphids and probably due to reduction in natural enemies of Empoasca spp. It is concluded that a search for alternative methods of Pests Management, which entails a quantitative understanding of the dynamics of weed and insect population outflow in cowpea agroecosystem in the humid tropics is needed for a profitable cowpea production.Item Influence of tillage and cropping systems on field emergence, growth of weeds and yield of maize (Zea mays L.) and cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.)(Australian Journal of Agricultural Engineering, 2010-04-01) Takim, Felix Ogar; Fadayomi, O.The effects of land tillage and cropping system on the pattern of weed seedling emergence, weed biomass production and yield of maize and cowpea were examined at Ilorin, in the southern Guinea savanna of Nigeria. Weed emergence occurred throughout the 2-12 weeks after planting (WAP) sampling period but peaked between 4 and 8 WAP. Tillage methods had limited effect on weed emergence, whereas cropping systems significantly affected weed emergence. A significantly (p≤0.05) lower number of weeds emerged in tractor ploughed, harrowed and ridged (PHR) plots compared with other tillage methods while higher weed densities and weed biomass were recorded in the sole maize and fallow plots than in the sole cowpea and maize/cowpea intercropped plots. While aggregate crop yields were significantly higher in the intercropped than in the sole plots, component crop yields were higher under the sole cropping than in the intercrop.Item A QUANTITATIVE ESTIMATE OF WEEDS OF SUGARCANE (Saccharum officinarum L.) CROP IN ILORIN, SOUTHERN GUINEA SAVANNA OF NIGERIA(Ethiopian Journal of Environmental Studies and Management, 2013-09-16) Takim, Felix Ogar; AMODU., AA survey was conducted in the sugarcane fields of Unilorin Sugar Research Institute, Ilorin in the southern Guinea savanna agro-ecological zone of Nigeria during 2011 and 2012 cropping seasons with an objective to identify the current status of prevalent weeds in rainfed and irrigated sugarcane fields. A quantitative method was employed for the enumeration of weeds. Quadrats were laid along transects and individual weed species in each quadrat was identified and counted. Simpson’s diversity index, Sorensen similarity index and relative abundance were used to determine the weed community structure. A total of 51 weed species belonging to 40 genera within 16 families were identified across the sugarcane fields. Rainfed sugarcane field was higher in weed species (41) than irrigated fields (35 weed species). Rainfed fields also had the diversity index of 28.84 % compared to 21.66% species diversity computed for irrigated fields. The result generally shows that the similarities index of weed species between rainfed and irrigated fields is about 50 %. Among the 10 abundant weed species, two grasses viz. Panicum repens L. and Imperata cylindrica (L.) Raeschel were the most abundant weeds in sugarcane fields followed by Rottboellia cochinchinensis Lour and two sedge weeds Cyperus rotundus L. and Mariscus longibracteatus Cherm. Results obtained from this study would be useful in creating a weed management programme and making informed decision on choice of herbicides. Regular weed survey to identify possible problematic weeds and weed population shifts and direct research toward new or improved weed control measures is thereby recommended.Item RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE SOIL SEEDBANK AND WEED POPULATION AS INFLUENCED BY LAND USE INTENSITY IN SOUTHERN GUINEA SAVANNA OF NIGERIA(Nigerian Journal of Agriculture, Food and Environment, 2013-09) Takim, Felix Ogar; Fadayomi, O.; Ekeleme, F; Amosun, J.OThis 2 year study investigated the relationship between the number of weed seeds in the soil seedbank and the emerged population of weed seedlings in 4 land use intensities in a southern Guinea savanna of Nigeria. Soil samples were collected soon after harrowing to a depth of 15cm and the weed seeds therein were enumerated. The emerged weed seedlings in the field sampling areas were counted over the following 12 or 15 weeks. The overall average proportion of the active weed seedbank emerging as seedlings at these fields range from 15.8 to 33.6 % of the total weed seedbank enumerated and found to be slightly differed across the cropping systems, weed control practices and land use intensities. The results showed a significant (P≤0.05) linear relationship between the weed seed numbers in the soil and the weed seedling numbers on the arable fields. The result will be valuable in aiding the prediction of likely weed infestations in arable crops and provide a valuable input in timing of weed control.Item Residual effects of legume cover plants on soil weed seed bank and weed growth in a subsequent maize crop(Weed Science Society of Nigeria, 2009-11-03) Takim, Felix OgarThe residual effects of six legume cover plants on soil weed seed bank and weed infestation was measured during the succeeding three years following the establishment of the legume species, at Ilorin, in the southern Guinea savanna of Nigeria. In the original study, the efficacy of six legume cover plant treatments (No-legume, Pueraria phaseoloides, Mucuna pruriens, Stylosanthes guianensis, Mucuna preta, and Mucuna jaspedea) integrated with either chemical and/or cultural weed control practices, on weed control and crop production was evaluated. The present study evaluated the effect of the above legume treatments on soil weed seed bank and weed growth in three succeeding crops. The volume of the soil weed seed bank was significantly affected by the legume cover crop treatments. Samples collected from P. phaseoloides and S. guianensis plots had similar number of weed seeds which were significantly lower than those from samples collected from plots planted to the Mucuna spp. Samples from the “No-legume cover” plots had the most numerous weed seeds. In the in situ field evaluations, none of legume cover crop treatments had an effect on weed growth on the portion of the field cultivated after 14 months of fallow growth/re-growth, during the first year of its cultivation. However, weed density and weed biomass were significantly affected by the legume cover crop treatments during the second year of cultivation of this portion of the field, as well as in the portion cultivated after 26 months of fallow growth/re-growth. In all cases, plots previously planted to P. phaseoloides and S. guianensis supported lower weed growth than the other plots. It can be concluded that the intercropping of perennating legume cover crops with arable crops can lead to reduction of weed infestation in succeeding crops, on the same field.Item WEED COMPETITION IN MAIZE (Zea mays L.) AS A FUNCTION OF THE TIMING OF HAND-HOEING WEED CONTROL IN THE SOUTHERN GUINEA SAVANNA ZONE OF NIGERIA(Acta Agronomica Hungarica, 2012-07-11) Takim, Felix OgarField studies were conducted in 2010 and 2011 at the Teaching and Research Farm of the University of Ilorin, Nigeria (9°29’ N, 4°35’ E) to evaluate the effect of early weed competition on the growth and yield of maize. The experiment was designed as a randomized complete block (RCBD) with a split-plot arrangement and three replications. The main plots consisted of three weed control treatments included weedy (no herbicide), grass weeds (pre-emergence atrazine) and broadleaf weeds (pre-emergence metolachlor), while the sub-plots consisted of six durations of weed infestation (3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 weeks after emergence). The pre-emergence herbicides had a greater effect on weed density and weed dry weight. Weed seedling emergence and weed dry weight increased significantly with an increase in the duration of weed interference. The grasses and broadleaf weeds had a similar influence on the growth and grain yield of maize. Three to five weeks of weed interference gave similar grain yields, which were significantly higher than those obtained in plots that had 6–8 weeks of weed interference. These results suggest that the maize crop must be kept free of weeds for 6–8 weeks after the application of pre-emergence herbicide to minimize weed–crop competition and harvest a good grain yield.