Effect of different weed management practices on growth, yield and yield components of Faba bean (Vicia faba L.) in Bale highland conditions, Southeastern Ethiopia
Weed is the major production constraints for Faba bean production in Bale Highlands. Its management is quite important to increase the production and productivity of the crop. Due to such gaps, The experiment was conducted at two locations: Sinana (on-station and on farmers field) during 2015 and 2016 “Bona” main cropping seasons to evaluate the effect of hoeing plus hand weeding frequencies on the yield of faba bean. The treatments consisted of eleven weed management options: weedy check, Hand weeding at 25-30 days after emergence (DAE) and then at 40-45 DAE, Hoeing at 7 DAE + hand weeding at 25-30 and then 40-45 DAE, Hoeing at 7 DAE + hand weeding at 25-30 DAE, Hoeing at 7 DAE + hand weeding at 40-45 DAE, Hoeing at 14 DAE + hand weeding at 25-30 DAE and then at 40-45 DAE, Hoeing at 14 DAE + hand weeding at 25-30 DAE, Hoeing at 14 DAE + hand weeding at 40-45 DAE, Hoeing at 21 DAE + hand weeding at 40-45 DAE, Hoeing at 28 DAE + hand weeding at 40-45 DAE, Weed removal at 50% pod setting stage. It was laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Results indicate that Faba bean plant was flowered and matured early when infested with weeds as compared to well weed controlled treatments at both sites. The growth and yield attributes of Faba bean were significantly reduced when the crop was left unweeded. The result also showed there was 41% and 35% yield reduction were occurred due to total weed infestation of Faba bean as compared to the recommended two times hand weeding at on-station and on-farm respectively. Hoeing at 7 DAE plus twice hand weeding gave a yield advantage of 51% and 17% as compared to weedy check and the recommended two times hand weeding at on-station. There was 51% and 41% yield penalty while farmers remove weed at 50% pod setting stage for the purpose of feeding their livestock as compared to hoeing at 7 DAE plus twice hand weeding and the recommended two times hand weeding at on-station. Similarly, there was a yield loss of 17% while weed removal at 50% pod setting stage as compared to the recommended two times hand weeding and hoeing at 28 DAE plus once hand weeding at 40-45 DAE at on-farm. Thus, it was concluded that the use of weed management options as of hoeing at 7 DAE plus hand weeding at 25-30 DAE was more economically profitable and has an acceptable marginal rate of return at both locations.