Financial Return from Weed and Disease Management Practices in Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) in Southern Ghana

Abstract

Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) yield and financial return can be negatively affected by weeds and the combination of early leaf spot disease [ Passalora arachidicola (Hori) U. Braun] and late leaf spot disease [ Nothopassalora personata (Berk. & M.A. Curtis) U. Braun, C. Nakash., Videira & Crous] in Ghana. Research was conducted in southern Ghana to evaluate hand-weeding, herbicide applied preemergence (PRE) or herbicide applied postemergence (POST), a combination of PRE and POST herbicides, and PRE or POST herbicides supplemented with hand-weeding and disease management practices (i.e., no fungicide or a two sequential fungicide applications 45 and 60 days after planting). Although some differences in leaf spot severity were observed based on weed management, peanut pod yield and financial return based on yield and cost of pest management practices were affected by weed management and disease management practices individually but not the interaction of these treatment factors. The weed management practices with the highest financial return included a POST herbicide with or without hand weeding and a PRE herbicide followed by hand-weeding or a POST herbicide.