Abstract
Weed flora of different management techniques under different cropping systems have been reported but no sufficient information on weed flora and its effect on yam, maize and cassava intercrop in Nnamdi Azikiwe University (NAU) Awka. This study assessed the weed flora in yam, maize, cassava intercrop system of NAU Awka. A total of 7 weed species belonging to 3 families and 4 genera were found in the experimental plots during the first year and second year of cropping seasons. The weed species consisted of 5 Poaceae, 1 Nyctaginaceae, 1 Amaranthaceae Cleomaceae. Brachiaria deflexa (Schumach), Hubbard Bulbostylis arbotiva (Steudel), Celosia sp, Boerhavia diffusa L. and Brachiaria lata (Schum) C.E. affect the growth and yield of yam, maize, and cassava positively while Andropogon gayanus Kunth and Brachiaria jubata Stapf affect the growth and yield of yam, maize, and cassava negatively.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1
Background of the Study
Intercropping is an age-old
agricultural practice that involves growing two or more crops simultaneously in
the same field (Akobundu
et al., 2016).
This practice often helps maximize land use efficiency, improve soil fertility,
and reduce pest and disease pressure. In many tropical regions, intercropping
has been widely adopted by smallholder farmers to enhance productivity and
ensure food security. Among the various intercropping combinations, the yam,
maize, and cassava intercrop system stands out due to its complementary nature.
Yam (
Dioscorea spp.) provides a high
carbohydrate yield, maize (
Zea mays)
is a staple cereal crop, and cassava (
Manihot
esculenta) is valued for its drought tolerance and carbohydrate content (Gianessi,
2013).
Despite its advantages, one of the
significant challenges in the yam, maize, and cassava intercrop system is weed
management (Rusike
et al. 2019).
Weeds
are unwanted plants that compete with crops for essential resources such as
light, nutrients, and water, leading to reduced crop growth and yield losses.
Additionally, weeds can serve as hosts for pests and diseases, further
exacerbating the challenges faced by farmers.
Weed
infestation is a significant constraint in agricultural production,
particularly in intercrop system where multiple crops are grown together
(Akobundu
et al. 2016). Yam (
Dioscorea spp), maize (
Zea mays) and cassava (
Manihot esculenta) are important crops
in many tropical regions, and are often grown in intercrop system to enhance
productivity and sustainability (Knezevic
et al. 2012).
However
the diversity and composition of weed flora in this system can vary
significantly and can have important implications for crop yields and
agricultural productivity (Chikoye
et al.
2011).
At
Nnamdi Azikiwe University, the Agricultural Research Farm serves as a vital
center for studying and improving agricultural practices in the region.
However, comprehensive research focusing on the weed flora in the yam, maize,
and cassava intercrop system is limited.
Understanding
the composition and diversity of weed flora in yam, maize and cassava intercrop
systems is therefore critical for developing effective weed management
strategies that can improve agricultural productivity and sustainability.