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Comparison of different weed management systems and their effects on yield of coconut plantations in Sri Lanka
Author(s) -
SENARATHNE S.H.S.,
SAMARAJEEWA A.D.,
PERERA K.C.P.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
weed biology and management
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.351
H-Index - 36
eISSN - 1445-6664
pISSN - 1444-6162
DOI - 10.1046/j.1445-6664.2003.00100.x
Subject(s) - glyphosate , weed control , agronomy , biology , pueraria , weed , nut , cropping , cover crop , agroforestry , agriculture , ecology , medicine , alternative medicine , structural engineering , pathology , engineering
The influence of five different weed management systems on nut yield of coconut were evaluated to determine an economical and effective method of controlling weeds in coconut plantations in the low country, dry zone in Sri Lanka. Treatments imposed included slashing and mulching around the palms with slash (T1), slashing and removing the slash (T2), application of glyphosate (N‐(phosphonomethyl)‐glycine) alone at 1.44 kg ai ha −1 (T3), application of glyphosate alone at 2.88 kg ai ha −1 (T4) and cover cropping with Pueraria phaseoloides (T5). All treatments were applied twice a year, except for the cover cropping treatment, T5. Based on a reduction in weed biomass, treatments T3, T4 and T5 were found to be significantly effective over other treatments. Coconut yield was increased significantly ( P < 0.05) in glyphosate‐applied plots at both tested rates. Control of weeds with the lower concentration of glyphosate (1.44 kg ai ha −1 ) resulted in a 25% increase in nut yield over the uncontrolled weed plots. At this rate, it was found to be the most effective and economical method of controlling weeds in coconut plantations. Cover cropping with Pueraria phaseoloides was effective in controlling weeds in the long‐term, but was not economical compared with the glyphosate application.