EFFECT OF WEED CONTROL TECHNIQUES ON BAMBARA GROUNDNUT (Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdc) VARIETIES IN SEMI-ARID ENVIRONMENT OF NIGERIA

Multi-locational field trials were conducted during the 2021 growing season at Teaching and Research Farm Faculty of Agriculture of BUK and FUDMA to study the herbicidal potentials of Tithonia diversifolia (hemsley) a. gray on weed component of bambara groundnut (Vigna subterrenea (l.) verdc) genotypes in Semi-arid zone of Nigeria. The experiment consisted of three (3) Bambara groundnut genotype (Hawayen Zaki, Idon Bazawara and Red) and nine (9) (w1, w2, w3, w4, w5, w6, w7, w8, w9) weed control methods which were factorially combined in three replications, and were laid out in a split plot design with genotypes at the main plot while weed control methods at the sub-plot. The gross plot size consisted of 6 ridges, 0.75 m apart and 3 m long (11.25m2). The net plot contained four (4) inner ridges of 3m long (9 m2), and the last two border rows served as discard. Data on weed parameters were collected and subjected to analysis of variance for Split Plot Design (SPD). F-test was used to test for the level of significance, mean comparison was done using Student Newmans’ Keul (SNK) at P < 0.05, Statistical analysis Software (SAS) version 9.1 was used to analyze the generated data. The findings indicated that the Weed Specie Composition shows Digitaria nuda Schumach was present in the DTM but not in the BUK while Eragrostis tremula Hochst. Ex Steud was present at BUK with a high occurrence level, but was not found at DTM