Browsing by Author "Leonard, Joseph A."

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Common weeds found in selected cassava farms in Eastern zone of Tanzania
(Greener Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 2022-04-04) Leonard, Joseph A.; Kudra, Abdul B.; Baijukya, Frederick; Tryphone, George M.
A field study was conducted at Kiimbwanindi village, Mkuranga district and Ilonga village, Kilosa district. Coast and Morogoro regions of Tanzania, respectively to identify the common weeds affecting cassava fields. A total of 24 random 1 m × 1 m quadrat were placed in each cassava field where by all weed species found in each quadrat were identified to a species level. During weed identification, weed density, uniformity and frequency were calculated according to Thomas methodology and used to determine weeds’ relative abundance. Also, a composite soil samples were collected based on random sampling procedure at a depth of 0 to 50 cm from each field before land preparation and analysed in the laboratory in order to determine the amount of nutrient content available in the soil. A total of 22 weeds species belonging to 16 families were identified, whereby out of these 14 were broad leaved weeds, 6 grassy weeds, 1 mushroom and 1 sedged weed belonging to 10 perennial and 12 annual weeds plant. During weed identification, Cyperus rotundus and Echinochloa colona were the most abundantweed species while Dactyloctenium aegyptium, Portulaca oleracea, Agaricus sp and Bidens pilosa were the least occurred weed species. Perennial weeds Cyperus rotundus, Echinochloa colona, Trichodesma zeylanicum, Reissantia sp, Mucuna pruriens and Commelina benghalensis found to be the mostly abundant weed species due to their ability to adapt into various soil types and their ability to reproduce as compared to other weeds. The study recommended that, research toward new or improved weed control measures is needed and also more survey work is needed on a regular basis to identify possible weed population shifts.
Cost-benefit analysis of the selected weed control options in cassava production system
(Greener Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 2021-12-31) Leonard, Joseph A.; Kudra, Abdul B.; Tryphone, George M.
Weeding activity is one of the major constraints in cassava production as it requires highcapital and it takes 50 to 80 percent of the total production budget. Based on this fact, there is a need to determine the most economical integrated weed control option(s) thatwill effectively control weeds and minimize cost of production. The effect of different weed control treatment combinations was studied and the most economical one(s) were determined during 2019/2020 planting season at Ilonga village, Kilosa and Kiimbwanindivillage, Mkuranga, Tanzania. Till only and till + Ridge, pre-emergence herbicides Primagram Gold a.i 290 g L S-metolachlor + 370 g L atrazine and Oxfen a.i Oxyfluorfen 24% EC), post emergence herbicides (Force up a.i 480 g/L of Glyphosate- Isopropylamine salt and back pack weeder were tested on Cassava variety Kiroba in a (2× 2 × 2) factorial experiment arranged in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Data collected were all variable costs for the inputs applied oneach weed control treatment combination, costs of cassava harvest and the price of cassava per one kilogram. Data were subjected to benefit-cost ratio analysis. Results revealed that, at Mkuranga site, till × Oxfen × Force up and till × Primagram × Force up treatment combinations had high benefit cost ratio of 2.39 and 2.04 respectively while at Integrated weed Kilosa site, only Till and Rigde × Oxfen × Force up treatment combination had high benefit cost ratio of 2.31. These high benefit cost ratios indicate feasibility of using control option(s), Benefit cost respective weed control combinations in cassava production. Therefore, good farm ratio. preparation, the use of Oxyfluorfen 24% EC herbicides as pre-emergence herbicide and -1 480 g L of Glyphosate-Isopropylamine salt as post emergence weed control treatments are recommended in cassava production systems.