Response of Lowland Rice as Affected by Seedling Age and Time of Weed Control in Sudan Savana of Nigeria

An experiment was conducted at the Research and Training Farm of Federal College of Horticulture Gombe State (10020’N and 10030’E) during the 2021 rainy season in the Sudan Savanah agro-ecological zone of Nigeria. The aim of the research is to evaluate the effect of seedling age and time of application of post-emergence herbicide on the growth and yield of lowland rice (Faro 44). The experiment consisted of two factors, namely:- seedling age ( 3, 4, and 5-week-old seedlings) and time of weed control by post-emergence herbicide at 2, 3, and 4 weeks after transplanting. Farmer's practice hoes weeding, 7 weeks after transplanting as check and controls i.e. no weeding). These treatments were factorial combined (3 x 5) to give 15 treatment combinations of treatment and replicated thrice. The seedling was allocated to the main plot while weed control was to the sub-plot. Data gathered on weed, growth, yield, and yield attributes were subjected to analysis of variance, and mean differences were separated using Student Newman keuls (SNK ) at p< 0.05. The result revealed significant differences due to seedling age and time of weeding in most characters measured. Generally, the 3-week-old seedling (3WOS) performed better but at par with 4WOS, while earlier application of herbicides at 2 weeks after transplanting (WAT) gave excellent weed control. The highest yield of paddy rice 8849.4 and 9517.2 kg/ha, was obtained from 2WOS and herbicide application at 2WAT. It can be concluded that 3-4WOS seedlings of Faro 44 variety of rice and early application of herbicide at 2wat can be suggested to the rice farmers in the study area.