BY

Dr. R.K Wanjogu, W. O. Koukoand

KIPNGETICH K. VINCENT

NIB RESEARCH FINDINGS PRESENTATION AT K.S.M.S

ON 4th JULY 2014

THE IMPACT OF WEED COMPETITION AND CORRESPONDING INTERGRATED WEED MANAGEMENT IN PADDY RICE

Courtesy of baseline survey May 2012

Specific objectives

Assess the impact of weeds and weed control methods on the agronomic performance of rice under lowland condition.

Evaluate paddy field weeds of significance and their cost management in the scheme

OVERALL OBJECTIVE

Evaluate different integrated weed management strategies on major paddy field weeds

Research Questions

•What is the impact of weed competition and weed control methods on the agronomic performance of rice?

•What are the cost benefits of doing a weed control measure in rice production in terms of cost?

•What do farmers understand about the idea of managing weeds in rice cultivation under lowland ecosystem?

MATERIALS AND METHODS

• The trial is implemented at MIAD centre with a survey in the whole scheme

• Experimental Design; Split plot Design with 3 main plots & 5 sub-plots replicated 3 times (45trts) employed

• The plot size is 3m X 4m, with plant to plant and row to row spacing of 20cm X 20cm

Cont’

Main plots:- Popular rice cultivars Basmati 370 (V1), BW 196 (V2) and IR 2793-80-1 (V3)

Sub plots:- Different weed control measures:- +ve control (Total weed free), -ve control (unweeded), Contact herbicide), Systemic herbicide and farmers practice

Growth, weed type and their density, as well as yield parameters were measured

Scheme survey to appreciate farmers view and distribution of weeds sample size of 450 farmers across the scheme

Effect of treatments on weed biomass (g/m2)

Bs 370 BW 196 IR 2793-80-1

Effect of treatments on yields

BW 196Bs 370IR 2793

PENDING WORK

Objective one: Collate all the second season experimental data to prove hypothesis :- Yield data and as well as rank weed type and density

Compare performance of different rice Cultivars with different treatments

Objective two: Appreciate distribution of significant weeds across the scheme

Get an understanding of farmers practice in weed management and its cost

DISCUSSION

Weeds have a notable effect on performance of rice under lowland irrigated condition while weed biomass of the notorious weed was not affected by choice of variety

Cyperus difformis (Sedge)

L. Chinensis (grass)

M. Minuta (Broad leaf)