KANYOMEKA L.
Abstract
The traditional method of controlling weeds in small-scale
farming in north-central Namibia is to keep pearl millet fields weed-free. It
is, however, possible to achieve high yields without necessarily keeping the
fields completely weed-free. The appropriate frequency of weeding that offers
the highest yields is not known. A field experiment was conducted at Ogongo
Agricultural College, in north-central Namibia to determine the appropriate
weeding frequency that offers the highest yield in pearl millet. The weed flora
of the area was also determined. Results show that there were more weeds where
no weeding was carried out, followed by one that was weeded once. This study
showed that weeding pearl millet twice could be the most economical method of
weed control since it gave yields as high as those for more intensive weeding,
including weed-free plots. The weed flora in the experimental area mainly consisted
of broad leafed weeds and the dominant ones were; Tribulus terrestris, Cleome
gynandra, Sesamum trphyllum, Gisekia Pharmaceoides, Acanthospermum hispidum,
and Amaranthus hybridus.
Keywords:
frequency of weeding, pearl millet, weed-flora