Influence of Integrated Weed Management Practices on Yield and Yield Components of Chickpea in Southeastern of Ethiopia

Abstract

The experiment was conducted on research field of Sinana Agricultural Research center and Goro sub site in the highlands of Bale, south eastern Ethiopia under rain fed conditions during main cropping season of 2018 and 2019 to evaluate the integrated effects of pre-emergence (Dual gold 960 EC), post emergence (Gallant super) herbicides and hand weeding frequencies on yield and yield components of chick pea. The experiment consisted of eight weed management options; sole dual gold 960 EC, dual gold 960 EC + one time hand weeding at two weeks after crop emergence, and dual gold 960 EC at four weeks after crop emergence, sole gallant super, gallant super and one time hand weeding, weedy check, one time hand weeding at two weeks after crop emergence and two times hand weeding at two and four weeks after crop emergence along with two varieties (Dhera and Habru) laid out in randomized complete block (RCBD) with three replications. Analysis of variance showed that a significant difference in number of branches per plant, biological yield (kg ha-1), and grain yield (kg ha-1) were observed on different herbicidal treatments and hand weeding at Sinana while at Goro significant effects of integrated weed management were observed on dry matter, plant height, biological yield, grain yield and harvest index. The remains parameters studied at both locations were no significant for the treatments studied. The highest net return obtained from the application of 1.5 lit ha-1 dual gold 960 EC integrated with hand weeding at four weeks after crop emergence while the highest net return at Goro was obtained from two times hand weeding at two and four weeks after crop emergence and hence can be recommended for the end users. Moreover, similar experiments should be carried out in different cold and warmer regions of chickpea potential areas of the zone to confirm the present findings.