Weed Population in Sweet Pepper Farms as Influenced by Land Preparation and Weeding Regime

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during the 2008 and 2009 rainy seasons to determine the effects of land preparation and weeding regime on the type of weed population in sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) farms. The experiments were laid out in a split plot design with land preparation methods (No tillage, plowed, plowed and harrowed, and Raised beds) assigned to the main plot and weeding regime (No weeding, weeded at 2 Weeks After Transplanting, weeded at 2 and 4 Weeks After Transplanting, and weeded at 2, 4 and 6 Weeks After Transplanting) were assigned to the subplots. Data were collected on days to weed emergence, weed count, weed weight and weed height. These were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) from, which means showing significant F- test were separated using Least Significance Difference (LSD). Dominant weeds specie was determined using the Relative Frequency (RF), Relative Density (RD) and the Sum Dominance Ratio (SDR) of the flora population. The results attained from the research showa significant (P<0.05) effect of weed weight in 2009. These understandings of weed in sweet pepper fields will help ameliorate dangers of weed damage in any production cycle through a carefully configured control measure. It was noticed that weeds such as Euphorbia hirta, Ipomeoa eriocarpa R., Paspalum conjugatum and Gomphrena celosioides Linn were found to grow throughout the production period while Kyllingia squamulata, Cyperus rotundus and Acanthospermum hispidum had higher occurrences with the sweet pepper in the study area.