2025/01/27 by Jane-Frances, K. E., Isonguyo, N. U.
#Watermelon #herbicides #organic manure #weed biomass
paper · doi:10.60787/njhs.v28i3.1-8
Field experiment was conducted in 2020 early planting season at Akwa Ibom State University Teaching and Research Farm to study the response of watermelon to organic manure and herbicide application in Obio Akpa, Akwa Ibom State. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with a split plot arrangement and replicated four times. Main treatments were organic manure (poultry manure and Oil Palm Bunch Ash) while the sub treatments were herbicide types (Butachlor, Pendimethalin and a control of no herbicide application). Data were collected on weed dry matter, growth and yield component of watermelon and were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) and significant treatment means were compared using least significant difference at 5% probability level. The effect of organic manure showed significant difference on the vine length (cm) of watermelon and weed dry matter compared to palm bunch ash. Poultry manure produced the longest vine. Herbicides also showed significant different (p<0.05) on growth, and yield of watermelon, where the application of Butachlor at 2.0kg a.i/ha had the highest growth and yield attributes and the lowest weed dry matter compared to pendimethalin. The interaction of poultry manure and Butachlor gave the best growth, yield and lowest weed dry matter. Based on the finding, Butachlor herbicide and poultry manure could be recommended for increased watermelon production in the study area.