On-farm demonstration of post-emergence herbicide for the control of grass weeds in malt barley in the highlands of Bale, Southeastern Ethiopia

Abstract

On-farm demonstration of post-emergence herbicide (Axial 045 EC) was conducted at two districts (Goba and Dinsho) of Bale zone for the control of grass weeds in malt barley in the highlands of Bale during 2017/18 main cropping season. Test crop used was improved malt barley variety IBON 174/03 at the rate of 125 kg/ha. Fertilizer used was NPS at the recommended rate for the area (100 kg ha^-1). The treatments consisted of 2 4-D, 2 4-D + Axial 045 EC and weedy check. The result obtained from the two districts indicated that the herbicides (2 4-D + Axial 045 EC) are remained the most effective against the broad leaves and grass weeds in malt barley. Maximum barley grain yield was recorded at both districts (2720 kg ha^-1) at Dinsho and (3680 kg ha^-1) at Goba in plots treated with 2 4-D + Axial 045 EC with grain yield advantage over check (58.82%) and (67.39%) at Dinsho and Goba respectively. The second maximum grain yield was recorded at both districts in plots treated with 2 4-D. The lowest grain yield was recorded in weedy check at both districts (1120 kg ha^-1) at Dinsho and (1200 kg ha^-1) at Goba. The Cost- benefit analysis also revealed that plots treated with 2 4-D + Axial O45EC gave the maximum net benefit at both districts. The lowest was recorded from weedy check plots. Hence, it is recommended that farmers should have to use both herbicides (2 4-D + Axial O45 EC) for the control of weeds (broad leaves and grass weeds) in malt barley. Farmers participated on demonstration and evaluation also selected (2 4-D + Axial O45 EC) as promising herbicides in controlling weeds in malt barley.