Varietal Response of Sweet Potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) to Herbicidal Rate with Integrated Hoe Weeding in the Early Cropping Season in Abeokuta

Abstract

Weed competition is a major biotic constraint to sweet potato production in Nigeria, causing significant yield losses if not effectively managed. This study evaluated the varietal response of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) to different herbicide rates integrated with hoe weeding during the early cropping season in Abeokuta, Ogun State. Three sweet potato varieties (TIS 87/0087, UMUSPO/1 and UMUSPO/3) were exposed to four weed control treatments: metolachlor at 1.5 L/ha + one hoe weeding, metolachlor at 2.0 L/ha + one hoe weeding, two hoe weedings at 3 and 6 weeks after planting, and unweeded control. The experiment was set up as a 3×4 factorial in a Randomized Complete Block Design with three replicates. Results revealed significant (p ≤ 0.05) differences in weed dry matter, vine length, number of leaves, tuber number and tuber yield across treatments and varieties. UMUSPO/3 recorded the highest tuber yield (14.2 t/ha) when treated with metolachlor at 2.0 L/ha integrated with hoe weeding. The unweeded control recorded the lowest yield across all varieties. Benefit-cost analysis indicated that the integration of metolachlor at 2.0 L/ha with one hoe weeding was the most economically viable weed management option for sweet potato production in the study area.