0% found this document useful (0 votes)
39 views11 pages

Mixed - Weeds Herbicide Oil Palm Malaysia

The document discusses a study on managing mixed weeds in young oil palm plantations using broad-spectrum herbicides. The study evaluated the efficacy of paraquat, glufosinate-ammonium, and glyphosate herbicides at different rates on the mixed weed population. It analyzed weed species composition before treatment and measured weed control over time after treatment.

Uploaded by

lweewang
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
0% found this document useful (0 votes)
39 views11 pages

Mixed - Weeds Herbicide Oil Palm Malaysia

The document discusses a study on managing mixed weeds in young oil palm plantations using broad-spectrum herbicides. The study evaluated the efficacy of paraquat, glufosinate-ammonium, and glyphosate herbicides at different rates on the mixed weed population. It analyzed weed species composition before treatment and measured weed control over time after treatment.

Uploaded by

lweewang
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 11

ISSN: 1511-3701

Pertanika J. Trop. Agric. Sci. 33 (2): 193 - 203 (2010) © Universiti Putra Malaysia Press

Management of Mixed Weeds in Young Oil-palm Plantation with


Selected Broad-Spectrum Herbicides

Rosli B. Mohamad1*, Wahyu Wibawa1, Mohd Ghazali Mohayidin2, Adam B.


Puteh1, Abdul Shukor Juraimi1, Yahya Awang1 and Mohammad B. Mohd Lassim1
1
Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Universiti Putra Malaysia,
43400 UPM, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
2
Faculty of Business and Management, Open University Malaysia,
50480 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
*
E-mail: [email protected]

ABSTRACT
A field study to evaluate the efficacy of three broad spectrum herbicides on mixed weed in a young (2 year-
old) oil palm plantation was conducted. Experimental plots, with the size of 4.8 x 20.5 m2 each, were laid
in a randomized complete block design with 4 replications. Weed vegetation analysis was conducted before
herbicide treatments were applied. Herbicide treatments used were paraquat and glufosinate-ammonium
(200, 400, 600, 800 g a.i. ha-1), and glyphosate (400, 800, 1200, 1600 g a.i. ha-1), with untreated control. The
experimental locality indicated a composite of mixed weeds of broadleaf and grasses. The growth of broadleaf
was more dominant with 25 species (relative dominance of 82.1%) than the grasses with only 7 species
(relative dominance of 17%). The three most dominant species were the broadleaves of Croton hirtus and
Asystasia gigantica, and a grass, Paspalum commersonii. The percentage of the mixed weed composite killed
was found to be significantly affected by the treatments of paraquat, glufosinate–ammonium and glyphosate,
relative to the untreated control, with more than 50 percent weed killed taken at 2 and 4 WAT. Meanwhile,
glyphosate and glufosinate-ammonium produced greater efficacy (more than 90 percent killed) as compared
to paraquat which produced lower total weed killed (50 to 83%). There were positive correlations between
the percentages of weed killed and weed growth reduction. Increased percentage of weed killed was followed
by the increase in the percentage of weed growth reduction, with the indication that weeds were recovering
and began to produce new shoots at 16 WAT. Treatments producing fewer efficacies caused weeds to regrow
and recover faster or in a shorter time. Increased rates of paraquat treatments, i.e. from 200 to 600 and 800 g
a.i. ha-1, were found to increase the duration of effective weed control. The duration of effective weed control
produced by glufosinate-ammonium at 200 to 800 g a.i. ha-1 and glyphosate at 400 to 1600 g a.i. ha-1 ranged
from 14.5 to 15 weeks, which were significantly longer than the paraquat treatments. The increased rates of
glufosinate-ammonium and glyphosate did not necessarily increase the duration of effective control.

Keywords: Mixed weeds, young oil-palm plantation, broad spectrum herbicides

INTRODUCTION and environmental conditions suitable for


Weed is a major component in oil palm specific weed growth. The shade provided by
production system. The composition of weeds the palm canopy influences the nature of weed
is a mixture of grasses, sedges, and broadleaves composition, and grass species tend to dominate
which often changes according to the crop as the oil palms get bigger (Wan Mohamed et
growth stages which provide specific climatic al., 1987). The effect of weeds on oil palm

*
Corresponding Author
Rosli B. Mohamad et al.

is difficult to quantify because of their long undertaken to gather more current information on
economic life (i.e. 20-30 years) but they can the control of natural mixed weeds in immature
affect the growth of crops or cause yield losses oil palm, whereby the use of broad spectrum
(Kuan et al., 1991). herbicides is the most appropriate. It evaluates
Weeds in plantation are managed using the efficacy and duration of effectiveness in
several methods such as cultural, mechanical, using the broad spectrum herbicides of paraquat,
integrated production system of using livestock glufosinate-ammonium and glyphosate on the
to control the weeds, or chemical (herbicides). total mixed weed population found in a young
Weed management with the use of chemical (2 year-old) oil palm plantation.
herbicides is the most common practice in
oil palm plantations at some stages of crop
MATERIALS AND METHODS
development. Broad spectrum herbicide,
paraquat, was used for more than 40 years, Field Experimental Set-up and Initial
and was the only mostly used herbicide in Vegetation Analysis
Malaysian plantations. The use of this herbicide, The experiment was conducted in a two-year
however, has been halted since 2002 by the old oil-palm plantation at MAB Agriculture-
Government of Malaysia, for reasons of toxicity Horticulture Sdn. Bhd. in Sepang, Selangor,
and hazards to humans, but was lifted in 2006 Malaysia. The plots in the size of 4.8 x 20.5 m2
to allow for more comprehensive study. The each were set up in a randomized complete block
prohibition of paraquat use left an open option experimental design with four replications.
to users for replacement. Several other common An initial weed vegetation analysis was
broad-spectrum herbicides are available in the conducted in the experimental plots prior to
Malaysian market. Among these herbicides the application of the herbicide treatments. It
are glufosinate-ammonium and glyphosate. was conducted to determine the composition of
All these herbicides are foliar applied, with weeds based on their species, density of growth,
paraquat activity being through contact (Turner and species dominance in the experimental
and Gilbanks, 2003), glufosinate-ammonium locality. The identification of the weed species
being partially systemic (Collins, 1991), and was done according to Bernes and Lus (1990)
glyphosate being systemic (Chang and Liao, and Sahid and Chan (2000). Meanwhile, the
2002). square method (0.5 x 0.5 m2) was used to
Most herbicide efficacy studies in oil palm sample and classify the weed species. Weeds
plantation have reported on certain specific were counted in 10 quadrates to determine their
noxious weeds (Chung and Balasubramanian, species, as well as to obtain the density and
1991; Pin and Lang, 1991; Ikuenobe and dominance of each species expressed in relative
Ayeni, 1998; Utulu, 1998). Meanwhile, a study terms, using the following formulae (Derksen et
evaluating some new herbicides for general al., 1993):
weed control in young oil palm was reported Absolute (X) of
by Khairudin and Teoh (1990). However, a Relative
(X) the species
= x100%
single predominant weed is rarely found under of a species
Total absolute (X)
field condition. Instead, predominant weeds
of all species
comprised of a few weed species (or rather it
is a mixed weed situation) (Aldrich, 1984), and where, X = density or dominance
weed population, particularly in crop areas, are
Above ground weed vegetation was
never constant, but are in dynamic state of flux
harvested and separated by species (for
due to changes in climatic and environmental
identification), sun-dried for 4 days and then
conditions, husbandry methods, and the use
oven-dried at 750C for 48 h (for dominance
of herbicides (Cobb, 1992). This study was
evaluation) (Felix and Owen, 1999).

194 Pertanika J. Trop. Agric. Sci. Vol. 33 (2) 2010


Management of Mixed Weeds in Young Oil-palm Plantation with Selected Broad-Spectrum Herbicides

Herbicide Treatments Duration of effective weed control (i.e. a


The plots were sprayed in the manner of period when a treatment is able to suppress weed
controlling weeds (at 200 L ha-1), with four rates growth >50% relative to untreated plot) was
of each: paraquat (200, 400, 600, and 800 g a.i. deduced from the percentage of weed growth
ha-1), glufosinate-ammonium (200, 400, 600, and reduction. The data were obtained for 8, 12,
800 g a.i. ha-1), and glyphosate (400, 800, 1200, and 16 WAT. The data between the narrowest
and 1600 g a.i. ha-1), and untreated control plots. observations, i.e. from 8 to 12 and 12 to 16 weeks
The rates cover the range of the recommended after the treatments, were predicted using the
rates for the field applications, namely paraquat regression analysis to estimate the correlations
(400-600g a.i. ha -1), glufosinate-ammonium between the percentage weed killed to weed
(500g a.i. ha -1), and glyphosate (1000g a.i. growth reduction, and the duration of effective
ha-1). The herbicide formulations used were weed control.
GramoxoneR (200g paraquat liter-1, Syngenta
Crop Protection), Basta 15R (150g glufosinate- RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
ammonium liter-1, Bayer Cropscience), and
RoundupR (360g glyphosate liter-1, Monsanto). Initial Weed Vegetation Analysis
The spraying was done manually using a Initial weed vegetation analysis is needed to
knapsack sprayer fitted with AN 2.5 deflector determine the weed species present, and their
nozzle. density and dominance of growth at the locality
of the experiment. Krueger et al. (2000)
Evaluation of Treatment Efficacy noticed that one of the keys for a successful
post-emergent weed management strategy is
The square method was also used to evaluate the knowledge of weeds present in the field,
the degree of weeds controlled (killed, growth and the density of each species. In fact, a
reduction, and duration) by the herbicide single predominant weed is rarely found under
treatments. The samples were randomly taken field condition, and yet predominant weed is
at three locations in each experimental unit. composed of few weed species (Aldrich, 1984).
Destructive and non-destructive samplings Weed populations, especially in crop areas,
were used for this purpose. The percentages of are never constant, but they are in dynamic
the total weed killed and the total weed growth state of flux due to the changes in climatic
reduction relative to the untreated control plot, and environmental conditions and husbandry
and the duration of effective control were methods (Cobb, 1992). In the present study,
evaluated. The percentage of weeds killed the weed vegetation analysis recorded 32 weed
was taken at 2 and 4 weeks after the treatment species, indicating a composition of mixed
(WAT) by counting the plants with all the tissues weed species in the experimental area (Table
from the growing point to the soil surface being 1). The composition is dominated by broadleaf
completely dead. The percentage of weed growth species with 25 species (including remnants of
reduction was calculated from the dry weight cover crop species such as Calopogonium sp.
of the weeds sampled at 8, 12, and 16 weeks and Centrosema sp.), and only 7 grass species.
after the treatments using the following formula The dominance of broadleaf species covering
(Pritchard, 2002; Chuah et al., 2004): the area is obvious with their total relative
Dry weight of density of 82.9% and relative dominance of
samples from 82.4% (Table 1). About 80% of the composition
treated plot is represented by 10 species in term of their
% growth reduction = 100 - x100
Dry weight of relative density and dominance. Among these,
samples from eight species were represented by the broadleaf,
untreated plots with only 2 species of grasses. Meanwhile, three

Pertanika J. Trop. Agric. Sci. Vol. 33 (2) 2010 195


Rosli B. Mohamad et al.

TABLE 1
Weed species composition of the experimental locality

Relative Relative
Weed species Type*
density (%) dominance (%)
Ageratum conyzoides B 6.6 3.4
Asystasia gangetica B 11.4 12.9
Hedyotis verticillata B 5.0 5.2
Borreria latifolia B 3.8 7.5
Borreris repens B 2.4 1.0
Cardiospermum halicacabum B 0.39 0.1
Calopogoniun mucunoides B 1.2 3.6
Centrosema pubescen B 7.8 9.3
Cleome rutidosperma B 2.5 3.1
Clidemia hirta B 0.2 0.7
Croton hirtus B 33.6 23.6
Emilia sonchifolia B 1.6 0.8
Melastoma malabathricum B 0.1 0.4
Cassia tora B 0.2 0.3
Melochia corchorifolia B 0.2 0.9
Mimosa invisa B 0.2 0.2
Mimosa pigra B 0.1 0.1
Mimosa pudica B 1.0 1.9
Mikania micrantha B 1.3 2.1
Oxalis barrelieri B 1.4 1.1
Passiflora foetida B 0.2 0.2
Phyllanthus amurus B 1.2 2.4
Porophyllum ruderale B 0.3 0.1
Rubus moluccanus B 0.1 0.6
Synedrela nodiflora B 0.1 0.9
Axonopus compressus G 0.2 0.1
Paspalum commersonii G 12.4 9.7
Brachiaria miliformis G 0.2 0.1
Digitaria ciliaris G 1.5 0.7
Eleusine indica G 0.7 1.2
Ischaemum timorense G 0.3 0.2
Pennisetum polystachyon G 2.6 5.9
*B: broadleaf; G: grass

196 Pertanika J. Trop. Agric. Sci. Vol. 33 (2) 2010


Management of Mixed Weeds in Young Oil-palm Plantation with Selected Broad-Spectrum Herbicides

species were found to dominate the locality control, paraquat at lower rates of 200 and 400
based on their relative density and dominance. g a.i. ha-1 was considered to be less effective in
These are two broadleaves of Croton hirtus and killing the weeds in this mixed weed condition.
Asystasia gigentica, and one species of grass, At higher rates of 600 and 800 g a.i. ha -1,
Paspalum commersonii. The dominance of paraquat was found to produce considerably
Croton hirtus was obvious with the relative good kill of the weeds (74 to 83%) over the
density (33.6%) and dominance (23.6%) being 4 WAT period. These results, however, were
much higher than the other species present, lower than those produced by glufosinate-
followed by the values for Asystasia gigentica ammonium and glyphosate at all levels of
(11.4% and 12.9%), and Paspalum commersonii treatments, which gave the kill of between 91
(12.3% and 9.7%). Two species could be rated to 100% at the 4 WAT. Meanwhile, treatments
as being the least dominant. These were Mimosa at lower rates of each herbicide produced lower
pigra (broadleaf) with 0.1% and 0.1%, and kill than those of the higher doses of the same
Bracharia miliformis (grass) with 0.2% and chemical, except for glyphosate where only
0.1%, respectively. Therefore, the experimental the lowest rate was significantly lower than
locality indicated a composite of mixed weeds the higher rates. Sampling times (i.e. at 2 and
of broadleaves and grasses, with the broadleaves 4 WAT) did not indicate any differences in the
being more dominant over the grasses. In this percentage of weed killed for the herbicides at
study, these are the weed species which were all the treatment rates. A significant difference
found to be growing with this state of relative in the weed killed was observed between the
density and dominance at this stage of oil palm herbicides, with glyphosate giving the highest
growth and under the environmental condition kill, and paraquat the lowest kill. Meanwhile,
in the plantation. The situation, therefore, glyphosate and glufosinate-ammonium showed
necessitates the use of general post-emergent greater efficacy on this mixed weed population
herbicides for chemical weed management in than paraquat. As mentioned earlier, the weed
the locality of this experimentation. composition of the area suggested certain
influence on the outcome of the treatments.
The efficacy of these herbicides was affected by
Herbicide Efficacy
the nature of the weed composition of the area
The efficacy of the treatments was evaluated as and the surrounding environment (especially
the effects on the total weed population (mixed light penetration) of the locality. The effect
weed situation of broadleaf and grasses). The of paraquat is reduced in high light intensity
percentage of the weeds killed was significantly because the leaves are damaged, particularly at
affected by the treatments of paraquat (200 to the site of application (Ipor and Price, 1991).
800g a.i. ha-1), glufosinate –ammonium (200 Herbicide treatments, in general, are affected by
to 800g a.i. ha-1), and glyphosate (400 to 1600g dominance of weed species, crop cultivated and
a.i. ha-1) relative to the untreated control, with environment, whereby they can be effectively
at least more than 50% weed killed observed at controlled for several months (Hoerlein, 1994).
2 and 4 WAT. However, when the efficacy of Paraquat is a non-selective (broad-spectrum) and
these three herbicides was compared, paraquat contact herbicide which has a tendency to injure
was found to produce a lower weed killed (50 broadleaf plants somewhat more than grasses at a
to 83%) in total than those by glufosinate- given rate (Ashton and Crafts, 1981; Calderbank
ammonium (between 91 to 98%), and glyphosate and Slade, 1975). Its greatest efficacy is on weed
(between 95 to 100%) (see Table 2). Using the species with restricted root system or which are
weed control rating proposed by Burill et al. still small (Turner and Gillbanks, 2003), and
(1976), i.e. where 70% killed was considered inversely proportionate to moisture where its
as the minimum acceptable level of control and effect increases under moisture stress (Turner
more than 90% killed as an excellent level of and Gillbanks, 2003). Glufosinate-ammonium

Pertanika J. Trop. Agric. Sci. Vol. 33 (2) 2010 197


Rosli B. Mohamad et al.

TABLE 2
The percentage of weed killed after the treatments with paraquat, glufosinate-
ammonium and glyphosate to mixed weed composition

Mean percent weed killed*


Treatment (g a.i. ha-1)
2 weeks after treatment 4 weeks after treatment

Untreated 0f 0g
Paraquat 200 50.7 e 50.9 f

Paraquat 400 65.8 d 66.4 e


Paraquat 600 74.1 cd 74.1 e
Paraquat 800 81.6 c 82.6 d
Glufosinate amm. 200 82.0 c 91.6 c

Glufosinate amm. 400 83.6 c 95.1 bc

Glufosinate amm. 600 95.0 b 97.9 b

Glufosinate amm. 800 91.2 b 98.0 b

Glyphosate 400 83.1 c 95.8 b

Glyphosate 800 98.5 a 100 a

Glyphosate 1200 98.8 a 99.7 a

Glyphosate 1600 100 a 100 a

Standard error 0.65 0.60

*Means within the same column, followed by the same letter, are not significantly different at P<0.05 by DMRT

is a broad-spectrum (Maschoff et al., 2000) weight of weeds measured the productivity of


and partially systemic that tends to give more the weed community. The dry weight of weeds
persistent control of grasses than paraquat recorded for all the treatments with paraquat,
(Collins, 1991), apart from the effect on the glufosinate-ammonium, and glyphosate was
broadleaf weeds. Glyphosate, however, is a significantly (p<0.05) lower relative to the
non-selective systemic herbicide. When applied untreated check (Table 2). However, this degree
to the foliage, it is absorbed by the leaves and of significance was observed until 12 WAT for
readily translocated to other parts of the plant, the paraquat treatments, after which there was
making it very effective to even the perennial a sign of weed growth recovery. The recovery
weeds (Collins, 1991). A complete translocation for paraquat treatments is faster because the
of this herbicide confers remarkably with the herbicide fails to make contact with some parts
efficacy on most weeds, broadleaves, grasses, of the plant, especially the enclosed growing
or sedges (Kataoka et al., 1996). point or shoot, making immediate regrowth of
The weed dry weight influenced the the weeds possible. Paraquat, which is widely
reduction of weed growth, which reflected the used for broadleaf control, is a quick acting,
relative capability of a treatment to suppress weed non-selective compound that destroys green
growth relative to the untreated control. The dry plant tissue; nonetheless, it has been reported

198 Pertanika J. Trop. Agric. Sci. Vol. 33 (2) 2010


Management of Mixed Weeds in Young Oil-palm Plantation with Selected Broad-Spectrum Herbicides

to possibly temporarily suppress some annual affected (p<0.05) by paraquat, glufosinate-


grasses only because the low and enclosed ammonium and glyphosate treatments at 8, 12,
growing points are not contacted by the spray and 16 WAT relative to the untreated control.
(Collins, 1991). Ipor and Price (1991) reported The glufosinate-ammonium and glyphosate
that the effect of paraquat is reduced in high treatments recorded similar results within each
light intensity because the leaves are damaged, sampling time, which ranged between 73 to
particularly at the site of application. Light 82% and 69 to 71%, respectively, for the 8 and
intensity is high in the inter-rows of young 12 WAT (see Table 3). However, the paraquat
oil palm plantation. Glufosinate-ammonium treatment recorded lower growth reductions of
and glyphosate treatments, however, are more 27 to 65% and 38 to 55%, respectively. The
lasting with low weed dry weight recorded results also showed the tendency of weed growth
until 16 WAT (45.3 and 45.9 g, respectively) recovery for all the treatments from the 8 to 12
as compared to the untreated check at 76.2g. to 16 WAT. The growth of weeds was increased
The glufosinate-ammonium and glyphosate by 25 to 40% over these sampling periods for all
treatments, therefore, have higher ability to the treatments. There were positive correlations
reduce the weed population dry weight than between the percentages of weed killed and
paraquat. In particular, glufosinate-ammonium reduction of weed growth. The increase in
is more persistent in controlling grasses than the percentage of weed killed was followed by
paraquat (Collins, 1991), and the treatment the increase in the percentage of weed growth
rates are affected by the dominance of the reduction, as indicated by the regressions y =
weed species, crop cultivated and environment, 0.0022x2 + 0.4752x + 1.7461, y = 0.0014x2 +
whereby they can be effectively controlled 0.6446X + 1.5315, y = 0.0027x2 + 0.1464x +
for several months (Hoerlein, 1994). As for 0.7233, and R2 values of 0.81, 0.87 and 0.66
glyphosate, the treated plants were found to die at 8, 12 and 16 WAT, respectively (see Fig. 1).
in 1-3 weeks (Chang and Liao, 2002), while The degree of correlation was stronger for the 8
the development of symptom was also shown and 12 WAT, showing that the weeds were still
to be slow but irreversible (Collins, 1991). dying until 12 WAT. Meanwhile, the correlation
Shift in weed composition is a consequence of at 16 WAT was lower, and this indicated that the
differential effectiveness of herbicides (Wrucke weeds were recovering and began to produce
and Arnold, 1985; Swanton et al., 1993). shoots even though the initial weed killed was
Based on the dry weight, weed growth 70%. These findings prove that the treatments
reduction was observed to be significantly of less efficacy could cause weed to grow and

Fig. 1:Relationship between weed growth reduction and weed killed

Pertanika J. Trop. Agric. Sci. Vol. 33 (2) 2010 199


Rosli B. Mohamad et al.

TABLE 3
Weed dry weight and growth reduction after treatments with paraquat, glufosinate-
ammonium and glyphosate

Dry weight (g/0.25m2)* Growth reduction (%)*


Treatment (g a.i. ha )
-1

8WAT 12WAT 16WAT 8WAT 12WAT 16WAT

Untreated 60.9 a 73.2 a 76.2 a 0e 0d 0c

Paraquat 200 42.6 ab 44.7 b 66.5 a 26.9 d 38.2 c 12.4 b

Paraquat 400 33.7 bc 44.4 b 67.9 a 39.7 cd 38.8 c 11.5 b


Paraquat 600 28.0 bc 39.9 bc 62.7 a 53.3 bc 44.5 17.5 b

Paraquat 800 21.4 cd 32.4 c 60.9 a 64.5 ab 54.6 b 20.2 b

Glufosinate-amm. 200 12.9 e 22.1 d 42.0 b 76.5 a 69.3 a 45.6 a

Glufosinate-amm. 400 11.9 e 20.7 d 44.5 b 80.0 a 71.2 a 41.8 a

Glufosinate-amm. 600 12.5 e 20.5 d 44.5 b 78.1 a 71.3 a 41.5 a

Glufosinate-amm. 800 14.8 de 21.6 d 45.3 b 73.2 a 70.2 a 40.5 a

Glyphosate 400 13.5 e 22.3 d 45.5 b 76.9 a 69.6 a 40.5 a

Glyphosate 800 11.0 e 21.0 d 45.9 b 81.5 a 72.8 a 39.6a

Glyphosate 1200 11.7 e 21.7 d 42.0 b 79.7 a 69.8 a 44.8 a

Glyphosate 1600 12.4 e 21.2 d 44.7 b 78.1 a 71.3 a 41.3 a

Standard error 0.02 0.00 0.01 1.02 0.51 1.02

*Means within the same column followed by the same letter are not significantly different at P<0.05 by DMRT

recover faster or in shorter times. Chung and control according to Burill et al., 1976), the
Balasubramaniam (1991) reported that the high control only lasted for 8 weeks, as compared to
biomass recorded after the treatment with certain more than 12 weeks when it was at 90% weed
herbicides was caused by a rapid regeneration killed. The paraquat treatments had a duration
of the weeds. of effective weed control that ranged from 4 to
The percentage weed killed, weed dry 11.75 weeks. The increased rates of paraquat
weight, and percentage of weed growth, as treatment, i.e. from 200 to 600 and 800g a.i. ha-1
components of efficacy evaluation, also reflects were found to increase the duration of effective
the duration of effective weed control. The weed control (see Table 4). The effective weed
higher percentage of weed killed lead to longer control produced by glufosinate-ammonium (at
duration of effective control as indicated by the 200 to 800g a.i. ha-1) and glyphosate (at 400 to
value of regression y = 0.0013x2 + 0.0215x + 1600g a.i. ha-1) ranged from 14.5 to 15 weeks,
0.219, and R2 of 0.84 (see Fig. 2). When weed and these were significantly longer than the
killed was at 70% (i.e. the minimum acceptable paraquat treatments. The increased rates of

200 Pertanika J. Trop. Agric. Sci. Vol. 33 (2) 2010


Management of Mixed Weeds in Young Oil-palm Plantation with Selected Broad-Spectrum Herbicides

TABLE 4
Duration of effective control after treatment with paraquat, glufosinate-ammonium and
glyphosate on mixed weed in young oil palm plantation

Treatment (g a.i. ha-1) Duration of weed control (week)*

Untreated 0e

Paraquat 200 4.00 d

Paraquat 400 6.00 d

Paraquat 600 8.75 c

Paraquat 800 11.75 b

Glufosinate-ammonium 200 15.00 a

Glufosinate-ammonium 400 14.75 a

Glufosinate-ammonium 600 14.75 a

Glufosinate-ammonium 800 14.75 a

Glyphosate 400 14.50 a

Glyphosate 800 14.75 a

Glyphosate 1200 14.75 a

Glyphosate 1600 14.75 a

Standard error 0.24

*Means within the same column followed by the same letter are not significantly different at P<0.05 by DMRT
Duration of effective weed control (weeks)

Total weed killed (%)

Fig. 2: Relationship between duration of effective weed control and weed killed

Pertanika J. Trop. Agric. Sci. Vol. 33 (2) 2010 201


Rosli B. Mohamad et al.

glufosinate-ammonium and glyphosate were REFERENCES


not necessarily followed by their ability to Aldrich, R.J. (1984). Weed-crop Ecology: Principles
increase the duration of effective weed control. in Weed Management. Massachusetts: Preston
This indicated that the percentage of weed Publishers.
killed plays an important role in evaluating the
Ashton, F.M. and Crafts, A.S. (1981). Mode of Action
efficacy of herbicides applied because it affects of Herbicides. New York: John Wiley & Sons.
the percentage of weed growth reduction and
duration of effective weed control. Bernes, D.E and Lus, G.C. (1990). Common Weeds of
Malaysia and Their Control. Selangor: Ancom
Berhad.
CONCLUSIONS
Burill, L.C., Cardenas, J. and Locatelli, E. (1976).
Weeds present in young oil palm plantation Field Manual for Weed Control Research.
are of the mixed species of broadleawves and Oregon: International Plant Protection Centre,
grasses. Broadleaves grow with greater density Oregon State University.
and dominance than grasses. In this study, Calderbank, A. and Slade, P. (1975). Diquat and
treatments of the weeds using broad-spectrum, Paraquat. In P.C. Kearney and D.D. Kaufman
contact herbicides of paraquat, or partially (Eds.) Herbicides chemistry, degradation, and
systemic glufosinate-ammonium, or systemic mode of action. New York: Mercel Dekker,
glyphosate at around their recommended field Inc.
application rates were found to provide effective
Chang, S.Y. and Liao, C.H.(2002). Analysis
kill, growth reduction, and duration of control of glyphosate, glufosinate and
in the mixed weed population. However, aminomethylphosphonic acid by capillary
glufosinate-ammonium and glyphosate were electrophoresis with indirect florescence
found to be more effective than paraquat. detection. Journal of Chromatography, A959,
Similarly, increasing the rates (200 to 800 g a.i. 309-315.
ha-1) increased the efficacy for paraquat, but
Chuah, T.S., Salmijah, S. and Ismail, B.S. (2004).
increasing the rates for glufosinate-ammonium Efficacy and tank-mix combination of glyphosate
(200 to 800 g a.i. ha-1) and glyphosate (400 and gramicides on the control of glyphosate
to 1600 g a.i. ha-1) produced the same effect. resistant and susceptible biotypes of goosegrass
Herbicide treatments with poor efficacy caused (Eleusine indica) (L.). Plant Protection
weeds to grow and recover faster or within Quarterly, 19, 130-133.
shorter periods. The higher percentage of weed
Chung, G.F. and Balasubramanian, R. (1991).
killed leads to longer duration of effective weed Chemical control of Asystasia intrusa in
control. immature oil palm. In S.A. Lee and K.F. Kon
(Eds.), Proceeding of the Third Tropical Weed
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Science Conference. Kuala Lumpur: MAPPS.

The authors wish to thank MAB Agriculture- Cobb, A. (1992). Herbicides and Plant Physiology.
Horticulture Sdn. Bhd. for the permission to London: Chapman & Hall.
conduct the study in their oil palm plantation, Collins, S.C. (1991). Chemical control of grassy
and to the Faculty of Agriculture, Universiti weeds. In F.W.G. Baker and P.J. Terry (Eds.),
Putra Malaysia, for the assistance in the conduct Tropical grassy weeds. UK: CAB. International.
of this work.

202 Pertanika J. Trop. Agric. Sci. Vol. 33 (2) 2010


Management of Mixed Weeds in Young Oil-palm Plantation with Selected Broad-Spectrum Herbicides

Derksen, D.A., Lafond, G.P., Thomas, A.G., Loeppky, Pin, O.K. and Lang, T. (1991). Bioefficacy of
H.A. and Swanton, C.J. (1993). Impact of herbicides for Hedyotis verticillata control. In
agronomic practices on weed communities: S.A. Lee and K.F. Kon (Eds.), Proceeding of the
Tillage system. Weed Science, 41, 409-417. Third Tropical Weed Science Conference. Kuala
Lumpur: MAPPS.
Felix, M. and Owen, M.D.K. (1999). Weed population
dynamics in land removed from the conservation Pritchard, G.H. (2002). Evaluation of herbicides for
program. Weed Science, 47, 511-517. the control of the environmental weed bridal
creeper (Asparagus asparagoides). Plant
Hoerlein, G. (1994). Glufosinate (phosphinothricin),
Protection Quarterly, 17, 17-25.
a natural amino acid with unexpected
herbicidal properties. Review of Environmental Sahid, I. and Chan, K.W. (2000). Integrated ground
Contamination and Toxicology, 138, 73-145. cover management in plantations. In Y. Basiron,
B.S. Jalani and K.W. Chan (Eds.), Advances in
Ikuenobe, C.E. and Ayeni, A.O. (1998). Herbicidal
oil palm research, 1. Kuala Lumpur: Malaysian
control of Chromolaena odorata in oil palm.
Palm Oil Board.
Weed Research, 38, 379-404.
Swanton, C.J., Clement, D.R. and Derksen, D.A.
Ipor, I.B. and Price, C.E. (1991). Effect of shading on
(1993). Weed succession under conservation
the uptake and translocation of 14C paraquat and
tillage: A hierarchical framework for research
14
C imazapyr in Paspalum conjugatum Berg. In
and management. Weed Technology, 7, 286-
S.A. Lee and K.F. Kon (Eds.), Proceeding of the
297.
Third Tropical Weed Science Conference. Kuala
Lumpur: MAPPS. Turner, P.D. and Gillbanks, R.A. (2003). Oil Palm
Cultivation and Management. Kuala Lumpur:
Kataoka, H., Ryu, S., Sakiyama, N. and Makita,
The Incorporated Society of Planters.
M. (1996). Simple and rapid determination
of the herbicides glyphosate and glufosinate Utulu, S.N. (1998). Controlling Regrowth of
in river water, soil and carrot samples by gas Chromolaena odorata in Immature Oil Palm.
chromatography with flame photometric detector. Nigeria: NIFOR.
Journal of Chromatography, A 726, 253-258.
Wan Mohamed, W.E., Hutagalung, R.I. and Chen,
Khairudin, H. and Teoh, C.H. (1990). Evaluation C.P. (1987). Feed availability, utilization
of new herbicides for general weed control in and constraints in plantation-based livestock
young oil palm. In J. Sukaimi and M.T. Dolmat production system. In R.I. Hutagalung, C.P.
(Eds.), Proceeding of Palm Oil Development Chen, W.E. Wan Mohamed, A.T. Law and
Conference. Malaysia: PORIM. S. Sivarajasingam (Eds.), Proceeding of 10th
Annual Conference, Malaysian Society of Animal
Krueger, D.W., Wilkerson, G.G. and Gold, H.J. (2000).
Production. Genting Highlands, Malaysia.
An economic analysis of binomial sampling for
weed scouting. Weed Science, 48, 53-60. Wrucke, M.A. and Arnold, W.A. (1985). Weed
species distribution as influenced by tillage and
Kuan, C.Y., Ann, L.S., Ismail, A.A., Leng, T., Fee,
herbicides. Weed Science, 33, 853-856.
C.G. and Hashim, K. (1991). Crop loss by weeds
in Malaysia. In S.A. Lee and K.F. Kon (Eds.),
Proceeding of the Third Tropical Weed Science
Conference. Kuala Lumpur: MAPPS.
Maschoff, J.R., Hart, S.E. and Balwin, J.L. (2000).
Effect of ammonium sulfate on the efficacy,
absorption and translocation of glufosinate. Weed
Science, 48, 2-6.

Pertanika J. Trop. Agric. Sci. Vol. 33 (2) 2010 203

You might also like