Studies on the Effects of Atrazine Herbicides on Growth Attributes of Telfairia occidentalis

Abstract

Understanding herbicides requires an appreciation of the significance of weed control in agriculture. Even prior to the development of chemical herbicides, the management of weeds has been essential, as their presence can adversely affect crop growth and yield. Weeds compete with crops for vital resources, including water, nutrients, and sunlight, and can also serve as habitats for insects and pathogenic fungi. The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of the herbicide Atrazine on the growth of Telfairia occidentalis. The experiment was arranged in a randomized complete block design, with each treatment replicated three times. The impact of the treatments on plant growth was assessed based on several parameters, including days to germination, plant height at germination, leaf length, number of leaves, and petiole length, all measured three weeks after germination. Result showed that the herbicides, were effective as it delayed germination, and affected plant height at germination and number of leaves, three weeks after germination, when compared with the control. The findings reveal that herbicide application before planting affects germination. The knowledge of the effects of herbicide applications and timing, will help to minimize negative impacts. Further research is needed to discover the effect of these herbicides on other living things in the environment.