Comparative analysis of weed management techniques in taro (Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott)

S Paul; MH  Rahman; M Tamanna; D Halder; MS Kobir; MH Munshi; P Hajong; MB Anwar

doi:10.14719/pst.4750

Authors

S Paul Agronomy Division, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Jashore 7400, Bangladesh https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7779-2347
MH Rahman Agronomy Division, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Jashore 7400, Bangladesh https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7585-4172
M Tamanna Department of Agronomy, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka 1207, Bangladesh https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0000-1364
D Halder Plant Breeding Division, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Jashore 7400, Bangladesh https://orcid.org/0009-0000-8234-105X
MS Kobir Agronomy Division, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Jashore 7400, Bangladesh https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9244-4471
MH Munshi Department of Soil Science, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka 1207, Bangladesh https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9203-5697
P Hajong Agricultural Economics Division, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Jashore 7400, Bangladesh https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5035-3539
MB Anwar Plant Pathology Division, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Jashore 7400, Bangladesh https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6584-7742

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14719/pst.4750

Keywords:

herbicide, intercropping, poly mulch, straw mulch, taro, weed management

Abstract

Weed management poses a significant challenge in taro cultivation since it’s a long-duration crop grown during the monsoon season. The warm, humid conditions of its extended growing period promote rapid weed germination and growth, complicating weed management efforts. To address this issue, a study was conducted at the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Jashore, in 2021 and 2022 to evaluate sustainable weed management strategies for taro. The experiment, designed as a randomized complete block (RCB) with three replications, tested seven weed control methods: T₁= straw mulching (SM), T₂= pre-emergence herbicide+SM, T₃= poly mulching (PM), T₄= pre-emergence herbicide+PM, T₅= intercropping+two hand-weeding, T₆= pre-emergence herbicide, and T₇= four hand-weeding, alongside T₈= weed-free and T₉= weedy control treatments. Results indicated that all mulching treatments achieved 70% to 80% weed control efficiency, significantly reducing weed growth up to 120 days after emergence (DAE). The intercropping+hand-weeding treatment provided 75% to 80% weed control up to 90 DAE. Among the mulches, straw mulching resulted in the tallest and widest plant base girths, leading to the highest yield and benefit-cost ratio, followed by other mulch and intercropping+hand-weeding treatments. Pre-emergence herbicide treatments were ineffective due to their short duration of action. Additionally, combining mulching (SM & PM) with pre-emergence herbicide offered no advantage over mulching alone. These findings highlight straw mulch as the most effective weed management strategy for taro, eliminating the need for herbicides. Where mulch is unavailable, intercropping combined with hand weeding can be a viable alternative for effective weed control.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Weerarathne LV, Marambe B, Chauhan BS. Intercropping as an effective component of integrated weed management in tropical root and tuber crops: A review. Crop Prot. 2017;95:89-100. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cropro.2016.08.010

Kumar JS, Nedunchezhiyan M, Sunitha S. Weed control approaches for tropical tuber crops- A review. Int J Veg Sci. 2020;27(5):439-55. https://doi.org/10.1080/19315260.2020.1839156

Ramesh K, Matloob A, Aslam F, Florentine SK, Chauhan BS. Weeds in a changing climate: Vulnerabilities, consequences and implications for future weed management. Front Plant Sci. 2017;8:95. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2017.00095

Oladimeji JJ, Kumar PL, Abe A, Vetukuri RR, Bhattacharjee R. Taro in West Africa: Status, challenges and opportunities. Agronomy. 2022;12(9):2094. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy12092094

Scott GJ, Rosegrant MW, Ringler C. Global projections for root and tuber crops to the year 2020. Food Policy. 2000;25(5):561-97. https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/jfpoli/v25y2000i5p561-597

Ferdaus MJ, Chukwu-Munsen E, Foguel A, da Silva RC. Taro roots: An underexploited root crop. Nutrients. 2023;15(15):3337. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15153337

Safo-Kantanka O. Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott. Record from PROTA4U. In: PROTA, Grubben GJH, Denton OA, editors. Plant Resources of Tropical Africa/Resources Végétales de l’Afrique Tropicale. Wageningen: The Netherlands; 2004.

Mitharwal S, Kumar A, Chauhan K, Taneja NK. Nutritional, phytochemical composition and potential health benefits of taro (Colocasia esculenta L.) leaves: A review. Food Chem. 2022;383:132406. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2022.132406.

Lebot V. Tropical root and tuber crops: cassava, sweet potato, yams and aroids [e-book]. CABI (London,UK). 2009;329-435. https://doi.org/10.1079/9781845934248.0329

Otekunrin OA, Sawicka B, Adeyonu AG, Otekunrin OA, Racho? L. Cocoyam [Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott]: exploring the production, health and trade potentials in Sub-Saharan Africa. Sustainability. 2021;13(8):4483. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13084483

Nwosisi S, Nandwani D, Hui D. Mulch treatment effect on weed biomass and yields of organic sweet potato cultivars. Agronomy. 2019;9(4):190. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy9040190

Matthews PJ, Ghanem ME. Perception gaps that may explain the status of taro (Colocasia esculenta) as an “orphan crop”. Plants People Planet. 2021;3(2):99-112. https://doi.org/10.1002/ppp3.10155

Ravichandran M, Samiappan SC, Pandiyan R, Velu RK. Improvement of crop and soil management practices through mulching for enhancement of soil fertility and environmental sustainability: a review. J Exp Biol Agric. 2022;10(4):697-712. https://doi.org/10.18006/2022.10(4).697.712

Zhu Z, Qian J, Zhang Y, Zhang H, Dai H, Zhang Z, et al. Taro (Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott) yields and soil chemical properties were improved by row-surface straw mulching. Agronomy. 2022;12(3):645. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy12030645

Sharma S, Basnet B, Bhattarai K, Sedhai A, Khanal K. The influence of different mulching materials on tomato's vegetative, reproductive and yield in Dhankuta, Nepal. J Agric Food Res. 2023;11:100463. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jafr.2022.100463

Horimoto S, Fukuda K, Yoshimura J, et al. Fresh-marketable tomato yields enhanced by moderate weed control and suppressed fruit dehiscence with woodchip mulching. Sci Rep. 2022;12:13283. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-15568-x

Kumar R, Sood S, Sharma S, Kasana RC, Pathania VL, Singh B, Singh RD. Effect of plant spacing and organic mulch on growth, yield and quality of natural sweetener plant Stevia and soil fertility in western Himalayas. Int J Plant Prod. 2014;8(3):311-34. https://ijpp.gau.ac.ir/article_1612_9e392e620cb2122ca12bde975af19bd2.pdf

Mitra B, Patra K, Bhattacharya PM, Ghosh A, Chowdhury AK, Dhar T, et al. Efficacy of pre-and post-emergence herbicide combinations on weed control in no-till mechanically transplanted rice. Cogent Food Agric. 2022;8(1):2139794. https://doi.org/10.1080/23311932.2022.2139794

Ranaivoson L, Naudin K, Ripoche A, Rabeharisoa L, Corbeels M. Is mulching an efficient way to control weeds? Effects of type and amount of crop residue in rainfed rice based cropping systems in Madagascar. Field Crops Res. 2018;217:20-31. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fcr.2017.11.027

Khan BA, Nijabat A, Khan MI, Khan I, Hashim S, Nadeem MA, Ikram M. Implications of Mulching on weed management in crops and vegetable. In: Akhtar K, Arif M, Riaz M, Wang H, editors. Mulching in Agroecosystems. Springer: Singapore; 2022:199-213. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-19-6410-7_13

Demo AH, Asefa Bogale G. Enhancing crop yield and conserving soil moisture through mulching practices in dryland agriculture. Front Agron. 2024;6:1361697. https://doi.org/10.3389/fagro.2024.1361697

Kumar V, Kumari A, Price AJ, Bana RS, Singh V, Bamboriya SD. Impact of futuristic climate variables on weed biology and herbicidal efficacy: A review. Agronomy. 2023;13(2):559. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13020559

Nath CP, Singh RG, Choudhary VK, Datta D, Nandan R, Singh SS. Challenges and alternatives of herbicide-based weed management. Agronomy. 2024;14(1):126. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14010126

Bru?ien? I, Buragien? S, Šarauskis E. Weeding effectiveness and changes in soil physical properties using inter-row hoeing and a robot. Agronomy. 2022;12(7):1514. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy12071514

Chauhan VBS, Mallick SN, Mohapatra P, Pati K, Gowda H, Arutselvan R, et al. Codification and description of phenological growth stages of taro (Colocasia esculenta var. antiquorum) according to the extended BBCH Scale. Ann Appl Biol. 2024;184(3):352-64. https://doi.org/10.1111/aab.12882

Gurnah AM. Effects of weed competition at different stages of growth on the yield of taro. Field Crops Res. 1985;10:283-89. https://doi.org/10.1016/0378-4290(85)90034-6

Li H, Jiang D, Wollenweber B, Dai T, Cao W. Effects of shading on morphology, physiology and grain yield of winter wheat. Eur J Agron. 2010;33(4):267-75. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eja.2010.07.002

Weselek A, Bauerle A, Hartung J, Zikeli S, Lewandowski I, Högy P. Agrivoltaic system impacts on microclimate and yield of different crops within an organic crop rotation in a temperate climate. Agron Sustain Dev. 2021;41(5):59. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13593-021-00714-y

McMaster GS, Morgan JA, Willis WO. Effects of shading on winter wheat yield, spike characteristics and carbohydrate allocation 1. Crop Sci. 1987;27(5):967-73. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/6065463

Mu H, Jiang D, Wollenweber B, Dai T, Jing Q, Cao W. Long-term low radiation decreases leaf photosynthesis, photochemical efficiency and grain yield in winter wheat. J Agron Crop Sci. 2010;196(1):38-47. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1439-037X.2009.00394.x

Qin T, Wang L, Zhao J, Zhou G, Li C, Guo L, Jiang G. Effects of straw mulching thickness on the soil health in a temperate organic vineyard. Agriculture. 2022;12(11):1751. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture12111751

Cui X, Guo L, Li C, Liu M, Wu G, Jiang G. The total biomass nitrogen reservoir and its potential of replacing chemical fertilizers in China. Renew Sustain Energy Rev. 2021;135:110215. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2020.110215

Du C, Li L, Effah Z. Effects of straw mulching and reduced tillage on crop production and environment: A review. Water. 2022;14(16):2471. https://doi.org/10.3390/w14162471

Iqbal R, Raza MA, Valipour M, Saleem MF, Zaheer MS, Ahmad S, et al. Potential agricultural and environmental benefits of mulches—a review. Bull Natl Res Cent. 2020;44:1-6. https://doi.org/10.1186/s42269-020-00290-3

Bogunovic I, Telak LJ, Pereira P, Filipovic V, Filipovic L, Percin A, et al. Land management impacts on soil properties and initial soil erosion processes in olives and vegetable crops. J Hydro Hydromech. 2020;68(4):328-37. https://doi.org/10.2478/johh-2020-0033

Ahmad S, Raza MA, Saleem MF, Iqbal R, Zaheer MS, Haider I, et al. Significance of partial root zone drying and mulches for water saving and weed suppression in wheat. J Anim Plant Sci. 2020;30(1):154-62. https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:216523997

DeVetter LW, Dilley CA, Nonnecke GR. Mulches reduce weeds, maintain yield and promote soil quality in a continental-climate vineyard. Am J Enol Vitic. 2015;66(1):54-64. https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:94077169

Abouziena HF, Hafez OM, El-Metwally IM, Sharma SD, Singh M. Comparison of weed suppression and mandarin fruit yield and quality obtained with organic mulches, synthetic mulches, cultivation and glyphosate. HortScience. 2008;43(3):795-99. https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:87426510

Wang W, Akhtar K, Ren G, Yang G, Feng Y, Yuan L. Impact of straw management on seasonal soil carbon dioxide emissions, soil water content and temperature in a semi-arid region of China. Sci Total Environ. 2019;652:471-82. DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.10.207

Barreda DGD, Bautista I, Castell V, Lidón A. Rice straw mulch installation in a vineyard improves weed control and modifies soil characteristics. Agronomy. 2023 Dec 15;13(12):3068. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13123068

Adenawoola AR, Aladesanwa RD, Adenowuro TD. Effects of frequency of weeding on the growth and yield of long-fruited jute (Corchorus olitorius) in a rainforest area of southwestern Nigeria. Crop Prot. 2005;24(5):407-11. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cropro.2004.09.016