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Journal of Biology, Agriculture and Healthcare                                                       www.iiste.org
ISSN 2224-3208 (Paper) ISSN 2225-093X (Online)
Vol 2, No.8, 2012


        Comparison of the Effectiveness of Zero Tillage and
     Intercropping on Weed Management in Maize (Zea mays L.)
                 Ita, B.Nyaga ; Michieka, W. Ratemo; Ariga, E.Safari and Muiru, W.Maina
    Department of Plant Science and Crop protection, University of Nairobi, P.O. Box 29053-00625, Nairobi
                      Ita, B.Nyaga* e-mail alfroita@gmail.com: mobile no.+254725295113
             Michieka, W. Ratemo e-mail michiekar@yahoo.com: mobile no. +254725972872
                   Ariga, E.Safari e-mail esariga@yahoo.co.uk: mobile no. +254729264854
              Muiru, W.Maina e-mail wmmuiru27@yahoo.com: mobile no. + 254738079554
       * E-mail and mobile number of the corresponding author alfroita@gmail.com: +254725295113
The research was financed through projects sponsored by ASSARECA

Abstract
Maize is an important cereal worldwide and weeds are a major constraint to production. A trial was conducted in
Kigumo, Murang’a County, Central Province of Kenya in 2010 to compare the effects of glyphosate and
intercropping maize with Dolicos lablab on weed and maize yield. Treatments comprised of DUMA SC41 and
DK8031 maize varieties, glyphosate, intercropping and weedy arranged in a randomized complete block design
in 5x3 m plots replicated three times and data collected in 3x1.5m area in each plot. Weed scores, biomass and
maize yield were recorded. Data was analysed using Gen Stat software package, treatments effects compared
using ANOVA and the means separated by Student New man Keuls. No significant differences in weed scores,
biomass weight and maize yield in both seasons between glyphosate and intercropping at P < 0.05. Intercropping
and glyphosate had similar effects on weeds and maize yield, the former can substitute herbicide use.
Key words:,,Maize, grain yield, small scale farmers, tillage methods

1. Introduction
Maize is one of the most important and popular cereals in the world and as in any other crop its productivity is
genetically controlled but other factors like climate and agronomic practices such as weed management are
crucial in determining its output (Bryan et al, 2011; FAO,2010; Mansoor,2007; Rattler et al, 2007; Dyer,1995).
Half of the world maize is produced in the developing countries where maize flour is the staple food for the poor
people while the maize stalk provide feed to their animals (Ofori et al; 2004). In the industrialized world maize
is mainly used for livestock feed and raw material for industrial products.
      In Sub-Sahara Africa maize is the staple food for an estimated 50% of the population providing 50% of
carolies. In these countries the yields are low around 1.0t/ha, while in USA, Southern Ontario and Canada maize
yields are more than 12.5t/ha (Ofori et al; 2004). According to Ofori et al, (2004) maize yields currently average
1.5t/ha in Africa, slightly more than 3t/ha in Latin America, 1.7t/ha in India and 5.5-6.3t/ha in Yugoslavia.
      Weeds pose a great challenge especially to the poor resource farmers not only in reducing crop productivity
as a result of competition with the crop but also in lowering profitability due to costs associated with the
management (Bremer, 2008; Plessis, 2003; Ntege at el, 1997). The weed management practices used in maize
production vary from hand weeding using simple tools such as panga and hoe, to use of draught animals, tractors,
crop rotation, intercropping and herbicides. Among these weed management practices hand weeding, crop
rotation and intercropping are most commonly used by the peasant farmers due to resource limitation like money
to pay for labour, draught animals, tractor or buy herbicide (Lavabre,1991). The objective of this study was to
compare glyphosate with intercropping of maize and Dolicos lablab in weed management.

2. Materials and methods
2.1Geographical and climatic characteristics of the study area
The experiment was conducted in Kigumo, Murang’a County, Central province of Kenya during the long and
short rain seasons in 2010. The district covers an area of approximately 293km2 with a total population of
123,766 people (KNBS, 2009) and average family and farm size of 4.4 and 0.81 ha respectively, (MOA, 2010 ).
The average annual rainfall and temperature range between 1200 -2400mm and 14-240C respectively (MOA,
2010), the soils are humic nitosols, (Jaetzold, et al, 2006). The experimental site was located in the Upper
midland agro ecological zone (UM1) formerly Upper midland zone (UM2) (Jaetzold, et al, 1983), which lies at
1800m above sea level and traversed by longitude 360 59’E and latitude 00 41.5’S.
2.2Experimental design and layout
The experiment was a 2 x 3 factorial, the treatments comprised of DK8031 and DUMA SC41 maize varieties
and three weed management practices namely glyphosate, intercropping with Dolicos lablab and weedy
(control). The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with plots of 5x3m in


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Journal of Biology, Agriculture and Healthcare                                                        www.iiste.org
ISSN 2224-3208 (Paper) ISSN 2225-093X (Online)
Vol 2, No.8, 2012

three replications.
2.3 Procedure
Zero tillage plots were sprayed with glyphosate 36% EC a.i at 20ml/litre, that is (4 litres of glyphosate in 200
litres of water for a hectare) five days before planting. Maize was spaced at 75 x 30 cm and paths of 1.5 m and
1.0 m were used to separate blocks and plots respectively. In intercropping plots, a row of Dolicos lablab was
factored between every two rows of maize (35cm from each maize row) and the plants spaced at 30cm apart.
Maize and Dolicos holes 5cm and 3cm deep respectively were prepared and fertilizer NPK (23:23:0) applied at
the rate of 20g per planting hole (200kg/ha). In each plot an area of 3 x 1.5m was marked for both weed and
crops’ data collection.
      The number of emerged seedlings of both maize and Dolicos was counted twice at 3rd, and 5th, week after
planting and the average percentage germination of the crops determined. Weed scoring was done at 3WAP,
7WAP, 11WAP, 15WAP and 19WAP by identification of individual species and their numbers in the sampling
area of each plot by use of weed identification manuals and herbarium specimens.
      After each of the first three weed counts (3WAP, 7WAP and 11WAP), zero tillage plots were sprayed with
glyphosate using a hood to protect the maize crop from herbicide injury, while the intercropped plots were hand
weeded using hoes but no weeding or spraying was done in weedy (control) plots until crop maturity. Top
dressing of maize was done with CAN 26% (200kg/ha) after second weeding while insect pests and diseases
were monitored and controlled accordingly. Weed biomass weight was taken once after the last weed scoring
(19WAP) by cutting at the ground level all weeds species inside the sampling area of each plot. All broad leaved
weeds from the marked area for sampling in each plot were put together and weighed when fresh, same was
done for all gramineae and all the sedges. They were in turn dried in an oven at 600C for 72 hrs and their dry
weight recorded. At maturity the height of each maize plant in the sampling area was measured in meters using a
tape.
      Yield was assessed by harvesting and counting the number of cobs per plant and weighing them. Maize
cobs for each plot were dried separately, shelled and weighed at a moisture content of 14% which was
ascertained by a moisture meter. Mean maize grain weight for each treatment was determined and used for
translation of the maize grain yield to 90 kilogram bags and tons per hectare. The number of Dolicos branches
per plant for 23 plants in the sampling area was counted 19 weeks after planting, yield of Dolicos was
determined by counting and harvesting all the mature and dry pods from each plant in the sampling area of the
plot. The number of seeds in each pod was counted, weighed and the mean for all plots was used to translate
yield to kilograms per hectare.
      All the collected data was analysed using Gen Stat computer software package (Discovery edition 12.1
PC/Windows XP Copyright 2009 by VSN International Ltd), analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to assess
the effects of intercropping and glyphosate on weed population and maize yield by comparing their means.
Difference between the means was separated using Student New man Keuls and the statistical difference
determined at p < 0.05.

3. Results and Discussion
3.1Results
3.1.1 Maize and Dolicos percentage germination
In both seasons there were no significant differences in percentage germination and interactions between the two
maize varieties and the two tillage practices at p < 0.05. The percentage germination of the two maize varieties
for the two seasons ranged from 55.6 to 70% for intercrop and 53.9 to 65% for glyphosate (Table 1). During the
same period percentage germination of Dolicos lablab under both maize varieties ranged between 53.5% and
60.2% (Table 2).
3.1.2 Weed population
A total of forty one weed species were identified while another eight species could not be identified by either
common or scientific names except by local names. For the weed counts during the long rain season, there were
no significant differences between the two tillage practices in the mean number of weed species. From first to
fourth weed counts, each of the two tillage practices significantly differed with the weedy (control) in the
number of weed species but in the fifth weed count there was no significant difference between each of them and
the weedy in the number of weed species (Tables 3). For the short rain season there were no significant
differences between the two tillage practices in the mean number of weed species. For the first weed count there
was no significant difference between each of the two tillage practices respectively and the weedy in the number
of weed species but from the second to fifth weed counts each significantly differed with the weedy (Table 4).
3.1.3 Weed biomass
There were no significant differences between intercrop and glyphosate in dry weight weed biomass for broad
leaved, grasses and sedges at P < 0.05 for the two seasons (Table 5). Both tillage practices significantly differed
from the weedy in broad leaf biomass weight in both the long and short rain seasons at P < 0.05. During the long
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Journal of Biology, Agriculture and Healthcare                                                        www.iiste.org
ISSN 2224-3208 (Paper) ISSN 2225-093X (Online)
Vol 2, No.8, 2012

rains season there were no significant differences between each of the two tillage practices and the weedy
respectively in grasses biomass weight in DK8031. Each of the two tillage practices in DUMA SC41
significantly differed from the weedy in grasses biomass weight.
      In the short rain season both tillage practices in the two maize varieties significantly differed from the
weedy in grasses biomass weight (Table 5). During the long rains season there were no significant differences
between each of the two tillage practices and the weedy in sedges weed biomass weight although weedy had
higher biomass. During the short rains season significant differences were observed between each of the two
tillage practices and the weedy in sedges weed biomass at P < 0.05 (Table 5). The weed biomass from the two
maize varieties differed with regard to weed management, DUMA SC41 had significantly higher weed biomass
than DK8031 in both glyphosate and intercrop (Table 5).
3.1.4 Maize yield
The maize grain yield results varied with varieties used and the seasons. In the long rain season, there was no
significant difference in grain yield weight between glyphosate and intercrop for both DK8031 and DUMA
SC41 maize varieties at p < 0.05 although intercrop had higher grain weight than glyphosate in both maize
varieties (Table 6).
      In both the long and short rain seasons there were no significant differences in grain yield between the
weedy and both glyphosate and intercrop treatments respectively for DUMA SC41 variety at p < 0.05. During
the long rains season weedy significantly differed in grain yield with both glyphosate and intercrop treatments
respectively for DK8031 at p<0.05 but during the short rains season only the intercrop significantly differed in
grain yield with the weedy for the same variety at p<0.05 (Table 6). Overall there was significant difference in
yield between DUMA SC 41 and DK 8031 in both seasons at p < 0.05 (Table 6).

3.2. Discussion
The analysis of weed count showed that there was no significant difference between glyphosate and
maize/Dolicos intercropping in the number of weed species at p < 0.05, although in most of weed counts
glyphosate had higher number of weed species compared with maize/Dolicos intercrop indicating that
intercropping was more effective than glyphosate in suppressing the weeds thereby reducing their population.
This is in agreement with work done by Maina, (1997) who reported that use of herbicides and intercropping
significantly controlled the weeds, the herbicide controlled the weeds at the early stage of crop growth. The
author further reported that maize-bean and maize-potato intercrop each separately effectively suppressed weeds
such that weeds did not have any significant effect on the yields. She also observed that intercropping using the
right bean varieties and spacing replaced two weedings in one of the experimental sites and was cheaper than use
of herbicide.
     The analysis of weed biomass showed that there were no significant differences between glyphosate and
maize/Dolicos intercropping in weed biomass dry weight in both seasons at p< 0.05. The ability of
maize/Dolicos intercropping to suppress weeds equally or better than glyphosate means intercropping could be
beneficial to the small scale farmers who practice it in weed management by not only reducing cost of herbicide
but also maximizing on available land by enabling the farmers to obtain yield from two crops from the same
piece of land in one season.
       Intercropping can also be a useful tool in combating weed problem by eliminating drudgery associated
with weeding especially if it can replace one or two weedings in a crop’s growth period by reducing labour
requirement and time for weeding. Due to reduced labour requirement by intercropping, the cost of maize
production would be low thereby encouraging farmers to increase maize acreage leading to considerable increase
in both maize yield and net returns for them as reported by Carlson, (2008). The ability of the Dolicos lablab to
suppress the weeds emanates from its growth habit, since like most of leguminous plants it has a high leaf area
index due to massive forage that precludes light from reaching the ground where weeds are growing
(Beets,1990).
     Maize and Dolicos overall germination percentages for both seasons were average (54.5% and 59.7%)
respectively, the low percentage germination was due to unfavourable weather conditions set by intermittent
rainfall during planting time in both seasons.
     The maize yield in both seasons for maize/Dolicos intercropping and glyphosate were not significantly
different in grain yield at p < 0.05 although intercrop had slightly higher grain weight than glyphosate in two out
of the four cases. This conforms to other results obtained by Chui, et al, (1996) who reported that herbicide
application, intercropping maize with beans both effectively controlled weeds and their maize grain yields were
not significantly different. Also Mureithi et al, (2005) working in Kisii and Kitale on intercropping maize with
Dolicos reported increased maize yield and income per unit area for the farmers.
     Chen et al,(2004) found that intercropping maize with legumes was beneficial in yield increment due to
improved soil fertility, less competition for water and nutrients between maize and weeds as the latter are
suppressed by the leguminous crop. Intercropping maize with leguminous crops was also found to be beneficial
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Journal of Biology, Agriculture and Healthcare                                                      www.iiste.org
ISSN 2224-3208 (Paper) ISSN 2225-093X (Online)
Vol 2, No.8, 2012

in improving maize yield due to reduced stem borer population when maize was intercropped with cow peas at
Katumani and also maize/bean intercrop in Embu district resulted in low stem borer population as reported by
Omlo, (1984).
     The various factors that could have influenced the grain yield results were nitrogen fixation by the legume
leading to higher yield, the legume cover inhibits weed growth eliminating weed competition for resources with
the crop and minimizing soil moisture loss through evaporation reserving it for the crop. Use of intercrop would
result into environmental conservation from pollution by the herbicide and avoid weed developing resistance due
to repeated use of the same herbicide. Use of herbicide in terms of safe handling also requires technical
knowhow which is low among the small scale farmers. The variation in maize grain yield between the two
seasons was due to weather conditions that prevailed during the experimentation period. During the long rain
season the area received a total of 971.6mm of rainfall spread over 81days compared with 398.8mm received
during the short rain season spread over 28 days and hence higher yields for both varieties during the long rain
season than during the short rain season.

4. Conclusions and recommendations
Glyphosate and maize/Dolicos lablab intercrop were not significantly different in weed suppression and maize
grain yield and farmers should therefore be encouraged to intercrop maize with Dolicos or other leguminous
crops as a way of managing weeds since it is cheap, requires low technical knowhow, it is environmentally
friendly and has no chance of weed resistance build up

Acknowledgements
I would like to sincerely thank ASSARECA for financial support used for the execution of the research work
through its funding advanced to Mwangi, H.W. (Mrs) and Kinyua, Z. M. (Dr). University of Nairobi and Kenya
Agricultural Research Institute (KARI) are also acknowledged for technical and infrastructural support.

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productivity of Mung bean (Vigna radiata L.wilczek). A PhD dissertation in Agronomy, Gomal University, Dera
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Table 1: Percentage germination for DUMA SC41 and DK8031 maize varieties under intercropping,
glyphosate and weedy/control during the long and short rain seasons 2010


Variety                   Weed control             Germination percentage                        Average
                                                   Long rains        Short rains
DUMA SC41                 Intercropping            55.6a             56.3a                     56.0
                                                         a
                          Weedy/control            52.2              53.7 a                    53.0
                                                        a
                          Glyphosate               53.9              55.0a                     54.5

DK8031                    Intercropping             70.0a                67.3a                 68.7
                                                          a
                          Weedy/control             62.0                 65.0 a                63.5
                                                         a
                          Glyphosate                65.0                 62.7a                 63.9
Lsd                                                 13.4                 5.8                   9.6
CV%                                                 31.1                 17.4                  24.3
In the table means bearing the same letter along the columns are not significantly different


Table 2: Percentage germination for Dolicos lablab during the long and short rain seasons

Weed control                                            Percentage germination
                                      Long rains season             Short rains season           Average
DUMA SC41-Intercropping               58.0a                         59.0a                        58.5
                                            a
DK8031- Intercropping                 53.5                          60.2a                        60.3
Lsd                                   4.3                           1.4                          2.9
CV%                                   5.6                           4.2                          4.9
In the table means bearing the same letter along the columns are not significantly different




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Journal of Biology, Agriculture and Healthcare                                                          www.iiste.org
ISSN 2224-3208 (Paper) ISSN 2225-093X (Online)
Vol 2, No.8, 2012




Table 3: Weed counts/m2 for glyphosate, intercrop and weedy during the long rain season

Maize variety       Weed control                                     Weed counts/m2                       Average
                                                    7 WAP        11WAP     15WAP                19WAP
                                          3WAP*
DUMA SC 41          Glyphosate            2.2a      8.2a        4.2a           2.0a         4.2a          4.2
                    Weedy/control         8.7b      25.1b       18.2b          7.1b         6.2a          13.1
                    Intercrop             3.8a      10.7a       2.9a           3.3a         4.4a          5.0

DK8031              Glyphosate            2.7a      8.0a        2.9a           1.6a         3.3a          3.7
                    Weedy/control         5.8ab     14.4ab      11.1ab         5.1b         4.2a          8.1
                    Intercrop             3.3a      7.6a        1.3a           2.0a         2.9a          3.4
Lsd(0.05)                                 3.5       15.6        12.6           2.4          NS
CV%                                       48.3      59.5        114.7          39.3         33.5
WAP* = Weeks After Planting;
In the table means bearing the same letter along the columns are not significantly different.



Table 4: Weed counts/m2 for glyphosate, intercrop and weedy during the short rain season

Maize variety        Weed control                                                           Weed         Average
                                           counts/m2
                                           3WAP*     7WAP       11WAP         15WAP        19WAP


DUMA SC 41           Glyphosate            6.5a     3.4a        3.3a          0.7a         2.4a          2.9

                     Weedy/control         8.8a     8.0b        8.2b          9.9b         8.9b          8.8

                     Intercropping         5.3a     1.6a          0.8a        2.7a         2.4a          2.6

DK8031               Glyphosate            5.2a     2.5a        0.6a          1.4a         1.6a          2.2

                     Weedy/control         8.5a     6.2ab       6.5b          6.9b         6.0ab         6.8

                     Intercropping         4.3a     2.7a        0.8a          1.2a         1.4a          2.1

Lsd (0.05)                               NS         4.1        2.5           4.8           2.7
CV %                                     59.6       61.9       62.3          77.0          39.4
WAP* = Weeks After Planting
In the table means bearing the same letter along the columns are not significantly different




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Journal of Biology, Agriculture and Healthcare                                                                    www.iiste.org
ISSN 2224-3208 (Paper) ISSN 2225-093X (Online)
Vol 2, No.8, 2012


Table 5: Weed biomass under glyphosate, weedy and intercrop treatments during the long and short rain
seasons 2010

Variety           Weed control         Long rains season                      Short rains season                        Average

                                       Weed category                          Weed category




                                        Broad leaf




                                                                              Broad leaf
                                                     Grasses




                                                                                              Grasses
                                                                 Sedges




                                                                                                        Sedges
DUMA SC41         Glyphosate           687ab         174a       0.7a          41a            109a       0.1a            168.6

                  Weedy/control        1,371b        2,504b     4.5a          1,262b         3,090c     9.8ab           1373.6

                  Intercropping        432ab         431a       0.8a          24a            12a        3.0a            150.5

DK8031            Glyphosate           271a          62a        0.4a          34a            4a         0.6a            62

                  Weedy/control        980ab         277a       6.3a          1,268b         1,890b     13.5b           739.1

                  Intercropping        152a          126a       1.4a          8a             7a         0.3a            49.1

Lsd                                    631.6         1011.5     9.3           675.6          619.7      10.1            591.6

CV%                                    39.0          103.2      139.5         105.2          54.7       133.2           115.0

In the table means bearing the same letter along the columns are not significantly different



Table 6: DK8031 and DUMA SC41 grain yield (tons /ha) for long and short rain seasons 2010

Variety                  Weed management                                                    Yield tons/ha
                                                                 Long rains                Short rains           Average
                                                                 season                    season
DUMA SC41                Glyphosate                              1.01a                     0.87a                 0.94
                         Weedy/control                           0.40a                     0.08a                 0.24
                         Intercropping                           1.11a                     0.95a                 1.03

DK8031                   Glyphosate                      2.19ab                1.37ab                            1.78
                         Weedy/control                    1.14a                0.36a                             0.75
                                                              b
                         Intercropping                   3.32                  2.37b                             2.85
Lsd                                                      1.78                  1.39                              1.59
CV%                                                      62.4                  77.4                              69.9
In the table means bearing the same letter along the columns are not significantly different




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Comparison of the effectiveness of zero tillage and

  • 1. Journal of Biology, Agriculture and Healthcare www.iiste.org ISSN 2224-3208 (Paper) ISSN 2225-093X (Online) Vol 2, No.8, 2012 Comparison of the Effectiveness of Zero Tillage and Intercropping on Weed Management in Maize (Zea mays L.) Ita, B.Nyaga ; Michieka, W. Ratemo; Ariga, E.Safari and Muiru, W.Maina Department of Plant Science and Crop protection, University of Nairobi, P.O. Box 29053-00625, Nairobi Ita, B.Nyaga* e-mail alfroita@gmail.com: mobile no.+254725295113 Michieka, W. Ratemo e-mail michiekar@yahoo.com: mobile no. +254725972872 Ariga, E.Safari e-mail esariga@yahoo.co.uk: mobile no. +254729264854 Muiru, W.Maina e-mail wmmuiru27@yahoo.com: mobile no. + 254738079554 * E-mail and mobile number of the corresponding author alfroita@gmail.com: +254725295113 The research was financed through projects sponsored by ASSARECA Abstract Maize is an important cereal worldwide and weeds are a major constraint to production. A trial was conducted in Kigumo, Murang’a County, Central Province of Kenya in 2010 to compare the effects of glyphosate and intercropping maize with Dolicos lablab on weed and maize yield. Treatments comprised of DUMA SC41 and DK8031 maize varieties, glyphosate, intercropping and weedy arranged in a randomized complete block design in 5x3 m plots replicated three times and data collected in 3x1.5m area in each plot. Weed scores, biomass and maize yield were recorded. Data was analysed using Gen Stat software package, treatments effects compared using ANOVA and the means separated by Student New man Keuls. No significant differences in weed scores, biomass weight and maize yield in both seasons between glyphosate and intercropping at P < 0.05. Intercropping and glyphosate had similar effects on weeds and maize yield, the former can substitute herbicide use. Key words:,,Maize, grain yield, small scale farmers, tillage methods 1. Introduction Maize is one of the most important and popular cereals in the world and as in any other crop its productivity is genetically controlled but other factors like climate and agronomic practices such as weed management are crucial in determining its output (Bryan et al, 2011; FAO,2010; Mansoor,2007; Rattler et al, 2007; Dyer,1995). Half of the world maize is produced in the developing countries where maize flour is the staple food for the poor people while the maize stalk provide feed to their animals (Ofori et al; 2004). In the industrialized world maize is mainly used for livestock feed and raw material for industrial products. In Sub-Sahara Africa maize is the staple food for an estimated 50% of the population providing 50% of carolies. In these countries the yields are low around 1.0t/ha, while in USA, Southern Ontario and Canada maize yields are more than 12.5t/ha (Ofori et al; 2004). According to Ofori et al, (2004) maize yields currently average 1.5t/ha in Africa, slightly more than 3t/ha in Latin America, 1.7t/ha in India and 5.5-6.3t/ha in Yugoslavia. Weeds pose a great challenge especially to the poor resource farmers not only in reducing crop productivity as a result of competition with the crop but also in lowering profitability due to costs associated with the management (Bremer, 2008; Plessis, 2003; Ntege at el, 1997). The weed management practices used in maize production vary from hand weeding using simple tools such as panga and hoe, to use of draught animals, tractors, crop rotation, intercropping and herbicides. Among these weed management practices hand weeding, crop rotation and intercropping are most commonly used by the peasant farmers due to resource limitation like money to pay for labour, draught animals, tractor or buy herbicide (Lavabre,1991). The objective of this study was to compare glyphosate with intercropping of maize and Dolicos lablab in weed management. 2. Materials and methods 2.1Geographical and climatic characteristics of the study area The experiment was conducted in Kigumo, Murang’a County, Central province of Kenya during the long and short rain seasons in 2010. The district covers an area of approximately 293km2 with a total population of 123,766 people (KNBS, 2009) and average family and farm size of 4.4 and 0.81 ha respectively, (MOA, 2010 ). The average annual rainfall and temperature range between 1200 -2400mm and 14-240C respectively (MOA, 2010), the soils are humic nitosols, (Jaetzold, et al, 2006). The experimental site was located in the Upper midland agro ecological zone (UM1) formerly Upper midland zone (UM2) (Jaetzold, et al, 1983), which lies at 1800m above sea level and traversed by longitude 360 59’E and latitude 00 41.5’S. 2.2Experimental design and layout The experiment was a 2 x 3 factorial, the treatments comprised of DK8031 and DUMA SC41 maize varieties and three weed management practices namely glyphosate, intercropping with Dolicos lablab and weedy (control). The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with plots of 5x3m in 99
  • 2. Journal of Biology, Agriculture and Healthcare www.iiste.org ISSN 2224-3208 (Paper) ISSN 2225-093X (Online) Vol 2, No.8, 2012 three replications. 2.3 Procedure Zero tillage plots were sprayed with glyphosate 36% EC a.i at 20ml/litre, that is (4 litres of glyphosate in 200 litres of water for a hectare) five days before planting. Maize was spaced at 75 x 30 cm and paths of 1.5 m and 1.0 m were used to separate blocks and plots respectively. In intercropping plots, a row of Dolicos lablab was factored between every two rows of maize (35cm from each maize row) and the plants spaced at 30cm apart. Maize and Dolicos holes 5cm and 3cm deep respectively were prepared and fertilizer NPK (23:23:0) applied at the rate of 20g per planting hole (200kg/ha). In each plot an area of 3 x 1.5m was marked for both weed and crops’ data collection. The number of emerged seedlings of both maize and Dolicos was counted twice at 3rd, and 5th, week after planting and the average percentage germination of the crops determined. Weed scoring was done at 3WAP, 7WAP, 11WAP, 15WAP and 19WAP by identification of individual species and their numbers in the sampling area of each plot by use of weed identification manuals and herbarium specimens. After each of the first three weed counts (3WAP, 7WAP and 11WAP), zero tillage plots were sprayed with glyphosate using a hood to protect the maize crop from herbicide injury, while the intercropped plots were hand weeded using hoes but no weeding or spraying was done in weedy (control) plots until crop maturity. Top dressing of maize was done with CAN 26% (200kg/ha) after second weeding while insect pests and diseases were monitored and controlled accordingly. Weed biomass weight was taken once after the last weed scoring (19WAP) by cutting at the ground level all weeds species inside the sampling area of each plot. All broad leaved weeds from the marked area for sampling in each plot were put together and weighed when fresh, same was done for all gramineae and all the sedges. They were in turn dried in an oven at 600C for 72 hrs and their dry weight recorded. At maturity the height of each maize plant in the sampling area was measured in meters using a tape. Yield was assessed by harvesting and counting the number of cobs per plant and weighing them. Maize cobs for each plot were dried separately, shelled and weighed at a moisture content of 14% which was ascertained by a moisture meter. Mean maize grain weight for each treatment was determined and used for translation of the maize grain yield to 90 kilogram bags and tons per hectare. The number of Dolicos branches per plant for 23 plants in the sampling area was counted 19 weeks after planting, yield of Dolicos was determined by counting and harvesting all the mature and dry pods from each plant in the sampling area of the plot. The number of seeds in each pod was counted, weighed and the mean for all plots was used to translate yield to kilograms per hectare. All the collected data was analysed using Gen Stat computer software package (Discovery edition 12.1 PC/Windows XP Copyright 2009 by VSN International Ltd), analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to assess the effects of intercropping and glyphosate on weed population and maize yield by comparing their means. Difference between the means was separated using Student New man Keuls and the statistical difference determined at p < 0.05. 3. Results and Discussion 3.1Results 3.1.1 Maize and Dolicos percentage germination In both seasons there were no significant differences in percentage germination and interactions between the two maize varieties and the two tillage practices at p < 0.05. The percentage germination of the two maize varieties for the two seasons ranged from 55.6 to 70% for intercrop and 53.9 to 65% for glyphosate (Table 1). During the same period percentage germination of Dolicos lablab under both maize varieties ranged between 53.5% and 60.2% (Table 2). 3.1.2 Weed population A total of forty one weed species were identified while another eight species could not be identified by either common or scientific names except by local names. For the weed counts during the long rain season, there were no significant differences between the two tillage practices in the mean number of weed species. From first to fourth weed counts, each of the two tillage practices significantly differed with the weedy (control) in the number of weed species but in the fifth weed count there was no significant difference between each of them and the weedy in the number of weed species (Tables 3). For the short rain season there were no significant differences between the two tillage practices in the mean number of weed species. For the first weed count there was no significant difference between each of the two tillage practices respectively and the weedy in the number of weed species but from the second to fifth weed counts each significantly differed with the weedy (Table 4). 3.1.3 Weed biomass There were no significant differences between intercrop and glyphosate in dry weight weed biomass for broad leaved, grasses and sedges at P < 0.05 for the two seasons (Table 5). Both tillage practices significantly differed from the weedy in broad leaf biomass weight in both the long and short rain seasons at P < 0.05. During the long 100
  • 3. Journal of Biology, Agriculture and Healthcare www.iiste.org ISSN 2224-3208 (Paper) ISSN 2225-093X (Online) Vol 2, No.8, 2012 rains season there were no significant differences between each of the two tillage practices and the weedy respectively in grasses biomass weight in DK8031. Each of the two tillage practices in DUMA SC41 significantly differed from the weedy in grasses biomass weight. In the short rain season both tillage practices in the two maize varieties significantly differed from the weedy in grasses biomass weight (Table 5). During the long rains season there were no significant differences between each of the two tillage practices and the weedy in sedges weed biomass weight although weedy had higher biomass. During the short rains season significant differences were observed between each of the two tillage practices and the weedy in sedges weed biomass at P < 0.05 (Table 5). The weed biomass from the two maize varieties differed with regard to weed management, DUMA SC41 had significantly higher weed biomass than DK8031 in both glyphosate and intercrop (Table 5). 3.1.4 Maize yield The maize grain yield results varied with varieties used and the seasons. In the long rain season, there was no significant difference in grain yield weight between glyphosate and intercrop for both DK8031 and DUMA SC41 maize varieties at p < 0.05 although intercrop had higher grain weight than glyphosate in both maize varieties (Table 6). In both the long and short rain seasons there were no significant differences in grain yield between the weedy and both glyphosate and intercrop treatments respectively for DUMA SC41 variety at p < 0.05. During the long rains season weedy significantly differed in grain yield with both glyphosate and intercrop treatments respectively for DK8031 at p<0.05 but during the short rains season only the intercrop significantly differed in grain yield with the weedy for the same variety at p<0.05 (Table 6). Overall there was significant difference in yield between DUMA SC 41 and DK 8031 in both seasons at p < 0.05 (Table 6). 3.2. Discussion The analysis of weed count showed that there was no significant difference between glyphosate and maize/Dolicos intercropping in the number of weed species at p < 0.05, although in most of weed counts glyphosate had higher number of weed species compared with maize/Dolicos intercrop indicating that intercropping was more effective than glyphosate in suppressing the weeds thereby reducing their population. This is in agreement with work done by Maina, (1997) who reported that use of herbicides and intercropping significantly controlled the weeds, the herbicide controlled the weeds at the early stage of crop growth. The author further reported that maize-bean and maize-potato intercrop each separately effectively suppressed weeds such that weeds did not have any significant effect on the yields. She also observed that intercropping using the right bean varieties and spacing replaced two weedings in one of the experimental sites and was cheaper than use of herbicide. The analysis of weed biomass showed that there were no significant differences between glyphosate and maize/Dolicos intercropping in weed biomass dry weight in both seasons at p< 0.05. The ability of maize/Dolicos intercropping to suppress weeds equally or better than glyphosate means intercropping could be beneficial to the small scale farmers who practice it in weed management by not only reducing cost of herbicide but also maximizing on available land by enabling the farmers to obtain yield from two crops from the same piece of land in one season. Intercropping can also be a useful tool in combating weed problem by eliminating drudgery associated with weeding especially if it can replace one or two weedings in a crop’s growth period by reducing labour requirement and time for weeding. Due to reduced labour requirement by intercropping, the cost of maize production would be low thereby encouraging farmers to increase maize acreage leading to considerable increase in both maize yield and net returns for them as reported by Carlson, (2008). The ability of the Dolicos lablab to suppress the weeds emanates from its growth habit, since like most of leguminous plants it has a high leaf area index due to massive forage that precludes light from reaching the ground where weeds are growing (Beets,1990). Maize and Dolicos overall germination percentages for both seasons were average (54.5% and 59.7%) respectively, the low percentage germination was due to unfavourable weather conditions set by intermittent rainfall during planting time in both seasons. The maize yield in both seasons for maize/Dolicos intercropping and glyphosate were not significantly different in grain yield at p < 0.05 although intercrop had slightly higher grain weight than glyphosate in two out of the four cases. This conforms to other results obtained by Chui, et al, (1996) who reported that herbicide application, intercropping maize with beans both effectively controlled weeds and their maize grain yields were not significantly different. Also Mureithi et al, (2005) working in Kisii and Kitale on intercropping maize with Dolicos reported increased maize yield and income per unit area for the farmers. Chen et al,(2004) found that intercropping maize with legumes was beneficial in yield increment due to improved soil fertility, less competition for water and nutrients between maize and weeds as the latter are suppressed by the leguminous crop. Intercropping maize with leguminous crops was also found to be beneficial 101
  • 4. Journal of Biology, Agriculture and Healthcare www.iiste.org ISSN 2224-3208 (Paper) ISSN 2225-093X (Online) Vol 2, No.8, 2012 in improving maize yield due to reduced stem borer population when maize was intercropped with cow peas at Katumani and also maize/bean intercrop in Embu district resulted in low stem borer population as reported by Omlo, (1984). The various factors that could have influenced the grain yield results were nitrogen fixation by the legume leading to higher yield, the legume cover inhibits weed growth eliminating weed competition for resources with the crop and minimizing soil moisture loss through evaporation reserving it for the crop. Use of intercrop would result into environmental conservation from pollution by the herbicide and avoid weed developing resistance due to repeated use of the same herbicide. Use of herbicide in terms of safe handling also requires technical knowhow which is low among the small scale farmers. The variation in maize grain yield between the two seasons was due to weather conditions that prevailed during the experimentation period. During the long rain season the area received a total of 971.6mm of rainfall spread over 81days compared with 398.8mm received during the short rain season spread over 28 days and hence higher yields for both varieties during the long rain season than during the short rain season. 4. Conclusions and recommendations Glyphosate and maize/Dolicos lablab intercrop were not significantly different in weed suppression and maize grain yield and farmers should therefore be encouraged to intercrop maize with Dolicos or other leguminous crops as a way of managing weeds since it is cheap, requires low technical knowhow, it is environmentally friendly and has no chance of weed resistance build up Acknowledgements I would like to sincerely thank ASSARECA for financial support used for the execution of the research work through its funding advanced to Mwangi, H.W. (Mrs) and Kinyua, Z. M. (Dr). University of Nairobi and Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI) are also acknowledged for technical and infrastructural support. References Beets,W.C., (1990). Raising and sustaining productivity of smallholder farming systems in the Tropics. AgBe Publishing, P.O.Box9125, 1800GC, Alkmaar, Holland, 738pp. [Online] Available: www.nhbs.com/raising and sustaining productivity of smallholder (April10,.2011). Bremer,J., (2008). Seven major factors affect corn yield. [Online] Available: www.hpj.com/ Seven major factors affect corn yield, (High plains/Midwest AG Journal), (April12, 2011). Bryan, E; Ringler, C; Okoba, B; Koo, J; Herero, M. and Silvestri, S., (2011). Agricultural management for climate change adaptation, green house gas mitigation and Agricultural policy. International food policy Research Institute (IFPRI) discussion paper 01098. [Online] Available: www.ifpri.org/publication/agricultural-management (April 5, 2012). Carlson, D. J., (2008). Intercropping with maize in Sub-arid regions, (Community planning and Technical Brief). [Online] Available: forest.mtu.edu/maize, (April13, 2012). Chen, C., Westcott, M., Neill, K., Wichman, D. and Knox M., (2004). Row configuration and nitrogen application for barley –pea intercropping in Montana. Agron. J. 96:1730 -1738. Chui, J. N; Kusewa, T. M; and Kabumbura, J. M; (1996). Use of cultural practices, physical and chemical methods on weed control in maize and bean cropping systems. In: Sutherland, J.A; (1999). Towards increased demand driven technology (KARI/DFID NARP II Project) end of project conference 23rd to 26th March 1999, Nairobi, Kenya. Dyer, M., ( 1995). Exploiting weed seed dormancy and germination requirements through agronomic practices. Weed science society of America, vol 43:498-500. FAO, (2010). An ecosystem approach to sustainable crop production intensification, a conceptual frame work. [Online] Available: www.fao.org/SCPI Conceptual frame work. Jaetzold, R. and Schmidt, H., (1983). Farm management Hand book of Kenya. Natural Conditions and Farm Management Information. Central Kenya Volume 11B, Ministry of Agriculture, Nairobi, Kenya 739P. Jaetzold, R., Schmidt, H., Hornetz, B. and Shisanya, C., (2006). Farm management Hand book of Kenya. Natural Conditions and Farm Management Information. Central Kenya Volume 11, 2nd edition part B, Subpart B2 Central province, Ministry of Agriculture, Nairobi, Kenya 264P. Kenya National Bureau of Statistics, (2009). Kenya census 2009 results, Ministry of Planning and development, Nairobi, Kenya. Lavabre, E.M., (1991). Weed control (The Tropical Agriculturalist series). ISBN978-0-333-5449-5, P 11- 35. Maina, J. M., (1997). Effects of Intercropping on weeds and weed management in maize growing in Kenya, PhD Thesis University of Reading. Mansoor, Muhammad.,(2007). Evaluation of various agronomic management practices for increased productivity of Mung bean (Vigna radiata L.wilczek). A PhD dissertation in Agronomy, Gomal University, Dera 102
  • 5. Journal of Biology, Agriculture and Healthcare www.iiste.org ISSN 2224-3208 (Paper) ISSN 2225-093X (Online) Vol 2, No.8, 2012 Ismail Khan. Ministry of Agriculture, (2010). Kigumo district annual report, Central Province, Kenya. Mureithi. J. G., Nzabi, A.W., Makini, F., Tong’I, E., Kidula, N., Munyi, D., Mwangi, G., Odhok, H., Kotonya, J., and Mutai, E., (2005). Intercropping with legumes and incorporating crop residues, KARI, Kenya.[Online] Available: www. Kari.org/increase maize yield,(November 3,.2010). Nanyeenya, N. W; Mutetikka, M. M; Mwangi, W. and Hugo, V., National Agricultural research organization and International maize and wheat improvement centre (NARO/CIMMYT); (1997). An Assessment of factors affecting adaptation of maize production technologies in Iganga district, Uganda.[Online] Available: apps.Cimmyt.org/English/docs/tech-pubs/ass-mzeiganga (February 12, 2011). Ofori, E. and Kyei, B.N., (2004”a”). Agrometeorology and maize production. Chpt13c.[Online] Available: www.agrometeorology/chpt 13c, (April 12,2011). Ofori, E; Kyei, B.N; Agodzo, S.K; (2004”b”). Developing effective climate information for managing rainfed crop production in some selected farming centres in Ghana. ( In Ofori, E. and Kyei, B.N., (2004”a”. Agrometeorology and maize production).[Online] available: www.agrometeorology/chpt 13c.(April12, 2011. Omolo,E.O; (1984). Intercropping and pest management. Annual report, International Centre for Insect Physiology and Ecology ( ICIPE) 1983, 20. Naironbi, Kenya. Plessis du J., (2003). Maize production (South Africa).[Online] Available: www.arc.agric.za/maize (May23,2011). Rattler, S; Kopke, U; Neuhoff, D. and Ploeger, A; (2007). Effect of agronomic management practices on Lettuce quality including risk of enteric pathogen, (Research in the European organic and low input supply chain No.6). [Online] Available: www.qlif.org/lettuce.html. Table 1: Percentage germination for DUMA SC41 and DK8031 maize varieties under intercropping, glyphosate and weedy/control during the long and short rain seasons 2010 Variety Weed control Germination percentage Average Long rains Short rains DUMA SC41 Intercropping 55.6a 56.3a 56.0 a Weedy/control 52.2 53.7 a 53.0 a Glyphosate 53.9 55.0a 54.5 DK8031 Intercropping 70.0a 67.3a 68.7 a Weedy/control 62.0 65.0 a 63.5 a Glyphosate 65.0 62.7a 63.9 Lsd 13.4 5.8 9.6 CV% 31.1 17.4 24.3 In the table means bearing the same letter along the columns are not significantly different Table 2: Percentage germination for Dolicos lablab during the long and short rain seasons Weed control Percentage germination Long rains season Short rains season Average DUMA SC41-Intercropping 58.0a 59.0a 58.5 a DK8031- Intercropping 53.5 60.2a 60.3 Lsd 4.3 1.4 2.9 CV% 5.6 4.2 4.9 In the table means bearing the same letter along the columns are not significantly different 103
  • 6. Journal of Biology, Agriculture and Healthcare www.iiste.org ISSN 2224-3208 (Paper) ISSN 2225-093X (Online) Vol 2, No.8, 2012 Table 3: Weed counts/m2 for glyphosate, intercrop and weedy during the long rain season Maize variety Weed control Weed counts/m2 Average 7 WAP 11WAP 15WAP 19WAP 3WAP* DUMA SC 41 Glyphosate 2.2a 8.2a 4.2a 2.0a 4.2a 4.2 Weedy/control 8.7b 25.1b 18.2b 7.1b 6.2a 13.1 Intercrop 3.8a 10.7a 2.9a 3.3a 4.4a 5.0 DK8031 Glyphosate 2.7a 8.0a 2.9a 1.6a 3.3a 3.7 Weedy/control 5.8ab 14.4ab 11.1ab 5.1b 4.2a 8.1 Intercrop 3.3a 7.6a 1.3a 2.0a 2.9a 3.4 Lsd(0.05) 3.5 15.6 12.6 2.4 NS CV% 48.3 59.5 114.7 39.3 33.5 WAP* = Weeks After Planting; In the table means bearing the same letter along the columns are not significantly different. Table 4: Weed counts/m2 for glyphosate, intercrop and weedy during the short rain season Maize variety Weed control Weed Average counts/m2 3WAP* 7WAP 11WAP 15WAP 19WAP DUMA SC 41 Glyphosate 6.5a 3.4a 3.3a 0.7a 2.4a 2.9 Weedy/control 8.8a 8.0b 8.2b 9.9b 8.9b 8.8 Intercropping 5.3a 1.6a 0.8a 2.7a 2.4a 2.6 DK8031 Glyphosate 5.2a 2.5a 0.6a 1.4a 1.6a 2.2 Weedy/control 8.5a 6.2ab 6.5b 6.9b 6.0ab 6.8 Intercropping 4.3a 2.7a 0.8a 1.2a 1.4a 2.1 Lsd (0.05) NS 4.1 2.5 4.8 2.7 CV % 59.6 61.9 62.3 77.0 39.4 WAP* = Weeks After Planting In the table means bearing the same letter along the columns are not significantly different 104
  • 7. Journal of Biology, Agriculture and Healthcare www.iiste.org ISSN 2224-3208 (Paper) ISSN 2225-093X (Online) Vol 2, No.8, 2012 Table 5: Weed biomass under glyphosate, weedy and intercrop treatments during the long and short rain seasons 2010 Variety Weed control Long rains season Short rains season Average Weed category Weed category Broad leaf Broad leaf Grasses Grasses Sedges Sedges DUMA SC41 Glyphosate 687ab 174a 0.7a 41a 109a 0.1a 168.6 Weedy/control 1,371b 2,504b 4.5a 1,262b 3,090c 9.8ab 1373.6 Intercropping 432ab 431a 0.8a 24a 12a 3.0a 150.5 DK8031 Glyphosate 271a 62a 0.4a 34a 4a 0.6a 62 Weedy/control 980ab 277a 6.3a 1,268b 1,890b 13.5b 739.1 Intercropping 152a 126a 1.4a 8a 7a 0.3a 49.1 Lsd 631.6 1011.5 9.3 675.6 619.7 10.1 591.6 CV% 39.0 103.2 139.5 105.2 54.7 133.2 115.0 In the table means bearing the same letter along the columns are not significantly different Table 6: DK8031 and DUMA SC41 grain yield (tons /ha) for long and short rain seasons 2010 Variety Weed management Yield tons/ha Long rains Short rains Average season season DUMA SC41 Glyphosate 1.01a 0.87a 0.94 Weedy/control 0.40a 0.08a 0.24 Intercropping 1.11a 0.95a 1.03 DK8031 Glyphosate 2.19ab 1.37ab 1.78 Weedy/control 1.14a 0.36a 0.75 b Intercropping 3.32 2.37b 2.85 Lsd 1.78 1.39 1.59 CV% 62.4 77.4 69.9 In the table means bearing the same letter along the columns are not significantly different 105