Evaluation on the effects of different weed management systems to soil erosion in sloping areas at Brgy. Bucal, Tiaong, Quezon and Brgy. Arumahan, Lemery, Batangas

Date

4-2008

Degree

Bachelor of Science in Agriculture

Major Course

Major in Agronomy

College

College of Agriculture and Food Science (CAFS)

Adviser/Committee Chair

Aurora M. Baltazar

Co-adviser

Gil Magsino

Abstract

The farm practice was conducted on sloping fields at Brgy. Bucal, Tianong, Quezon and Brgy. Arunahan, Lemery, Batangas fromJune to October 2007. The study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of paraquat and reduce tillage as weed control, and their effects on soil erosion and crop yield. The treatment was also compared to the effects farmer's practice or conventional tillage on weeds, soil erosion and crop.

The primary data were gathered through observations and interviews with farmers throughout the site visits. Other data were obtained from the University of the Philippines Los Baños and Department of Agriculture in the municipalities of Quezon and Batangas. The field in Quezon was grown to mono-crop corn while the field in Batangas was grown to upland rice and corn in crop rotation. The plots were designed in Randomized Complete Block.

Paraquat provided greater weed control in corn and upland rice than the farmer's practice. The effect of paraquat was more efficient after the application, and efficiency was reduced with time. These were shown by the highest percent weed control at 20 days after the first application of paraquat in corn and at 11 days after application in upland rice compared to the percent weed control on succeeding days.

The amount eroded soil in paraquat treated plots were 50% and 29% lower than the farmer's practice treated plots in mono-crop corn and upland rice, respectively. The high amount of eroded soil in farmer's practice treated plots was brought about by the looseness and ease in detachability of the soil caused by conventional tillage.

The amount of run-off was 22% less in paraquat treated plots relative to farmer's practice treated plots in upland rice. On the other hand, there was higher run-off in paraquat treated plots than the latter in mono-crop corn.

Based on soil analysis done in soil grown to mono-crop, there were decreases in pH, organic matter, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium contents in both treatment plots. The calcium and magnesium content of the soil had increased only in the paraquat treated plots.

Soil analysis done in soil grown to upland rice and corn in crop rotation had shown decreases in pH, organic matter and calcium contents in both treatment plots. The phosphorus, potassium, and magnesium contents increased in the farmer's practice treated plots but decreased in paraquat treated plots. In opposite, nitrogen content of the soil has increased in paraquat treated plots but decreased in the farmer's practice treated plots. Sulfur content was the only basic soil characteristics in upland rice crop which has increased in both treatments.

The rate of weed control as well as the amount of eroded soil has more effect on crop yield tha to the changes that has occured to the basic soil characteristics based on the results of the study.

Paraquat treated plots have 64% and 40% higher corn and rice yield than farmer's practice treated plots. Moreover, the use of paraquat has provided 38% and 31% savings in production over those farmer's practice in mono-crop and upland rice cropping, respectively.

Language

English

Location

UPLB Main Library Special Collections Section (USCS)

Call Number

LG 993 2008 A42 L56

Document Type

Thesis

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