Assessment of dichapetalum plants infestation and its susceptibility to three herbicides in Mkuranga district Tanzania.

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Date

2007

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Sokoine University of Agriculture

Abstract

A study was conducted in Mkuranga District between October, 2005 and February, 2006 to investigate Dichapetalum plants infestation and effectiveness of selected herbicides on these plants. Specifically, this study intended to identify species prevalence and their coverage in this District. The study further aimed at determining effectiveness of herbicides on the control of Dichapetalum plants. The Purposive sampling was used to select farms for the study. The actual areas of infestation for surveys in these farms were chosen on random basis so as to get representative picture for whole area infested with these plants in the District. The survey conducted using Scientific Quadrant Method, established presence of four Dichapetalum species; Dichapetalum stuhlmanii, Dichapetalum mossambicence, Dichapetalum ruhlandii and Dichapetalum arenarium, with percentage cover of 76%, 42%, 37% and 27% respectively. The plants that were commonly in close association with Dichapetalum plants were Deinbollia borbonica, Annona senegalensis, Xylotheca tetensis and Milletia spp. Dichapetalum plant sprouts were individually sprayed with 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2,4-D), glyphosate (Round upĀ®) and paraquat in the field, followed by observation for responses to herbicides for 60 days. A number of phytotoxic effects were recorded. The efficacies of selected herbicides were assessed in terms of killing percentages. Killing percentages recorded at the end of study (Day 60) were analyzed by MSTAT-C. Overall killing percentage was 16.2 %. On individual herbicide, paraquat recorded the highest killing percentages (17.8 %) among the three tested herbicides. This was followed by 2,4-D (16.3 %). Glyphosate recorded killing percent of 14.6 % which was the lowest in the study. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) has shown that the degree of control on Dichapetalum plants is influenced by herbicide type, dosage rate, and interaction between herbicide and dose. It was concluded that Mkuranga District is heavily infested with Dichapetalum plants and application of 2,4-D, Glyphosate and Paraquat in dry conditions gave poor herbicide performance.

Description

A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of master of veterinary medicine

Keywords

Dichapetalum plants infestation, Susceptibility, Herbicides, Mkuranga district, Tanzania

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