Interaction between <i>Croton lobatus l</i>., <i>Emilia sonchifolia l</i>., and <i>Spigelia anthelmia l</i>. and two potherbs ; <i>Amaranthus hybridis</i> and <i>Celosia argentea</i> at different growth stages

Abstract

The effects of the interaction between the weed species C. lobatus, E. sonchifolia and S. anthelmia on the growth and productivity of two potherbs; A. hybridus and C. argentea were examined in this study. The potherbs were grown in monoculture and also in mixture with the weed species at different ratios. Results showed that there was over 60% reduction in the growth and yield of the potherbs at the end of the study. The growth and yield of the potherbs in the mixture were significantly different from those grown in the monoculture (P < 0.05). The results confirm that these weed species when present with these potherbs will reduce their yield, the degree of reduction in yield being higher at the early stage of their growth. These weed species must thus be controlled during cultivation of the potherbs in the early stages of growth.