EFFICACY OF AMETRYN HERBICIDES ON WEEDS IN RAINFED AND IRRIGATED SUGARCANE FIELDS IN SOUTHERN GUINEA SAVANNA ECOLOGY OF NIGERIA

Field experiments were conducted in 2012 and 2013 in a southern Guinea savanna ecology of Nigeria to evaluate weed control efficacy of two ametryn formulations (Ametryn 90 WDG and Ametryn 500 SC) on sugarcane under rainfed and irrigated conditions. Application of 4, 5 and 6 litres/ha of ametryn 500 SC or 2, 3 and 4 kg/ha of ametryn 90 WDG had high efficacy on weeds and gave similar cane yield as compared to monthly hoe weeded plots in both trial fields. The highest dose of 7 litres/ha of ametryn 500 SC and 5Kg/ha of ametryn 90 WDG recorded the lowest cane yield. The best timing of weed control method using ametryn is post emergence application at 4 to 6 litres/ha of ametryn 500 SC and 2 to 4 kg/ha of ametryn 90 WDG but pre-emergence application of ametryn is not rule out. None of the ametryn formulations produced any phytotoxicity symptoms on the variety tested. No treatment gave really acceptable control of the Imperata cylindrica L. Raeuschel and Eleusine indica. L. Gaertn in both fields.