Abstract:
Abstract: A three-season research study was conducted at Embu Agricultural
Research Station farm to determine the effect of glyphosate-based herbicides
on weeds management and maize (Zea mays L.) performance under zero-tillage
conservation agriculture practice. Glyphosate herbicide sprays were prepared
from Roundup Turbo product at the rate of 2.5 L ha
–1
and Roundup
Weathermax at 1.5, 2.5 and 3.0 L ha
–1
rates. Significant (p ≤ 0.05) differences
in weeds management were observed under the tested rate of Roundup Turbo
compared to un-weeded control plots. The average grain yield from
conventionally tilled plots was 3.6 t ha
–1
. This did not differ significantly from
those of herbicide-managed plots. Low-grain yield (0.1 t ha
–1
) was observed from un-weeded plots compared to those from zero-tilled plots that had also
exhibited significantly (p ≤ 0.05) higher net-benefits. The study concluded that
the application of herbicides improves weeds control and maize performance.
Keywords: zero tillage; conventional tillage; glyphosate herbicide; weed
control; maize performance; net-benefits; agricultural resources.
