Wheat Document f1

8/7/2019 Wheat Document f1

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PERFORMANCE AND PEST INFESTATION IN TWO WHEAT (Triticum aestivumL)VARIETIES AS AFFECTED BY SOWING METHOD IN THE SUDAN SAVANNA

ECOLOGICAL ZONE OF NIGERIA

C.I. Oyewole1, M.D. Magaji2, and C.O. Muoneke3

1Department of Crop Production, Faculty of Agriculture, Kogi State UniversityP.M.B. 1008 Anyigba, Kogi State

2 Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Usmanu DanfodiyoUniversity, P.M.B. 2346 Sokoto

3 Department of Crop Production, Faculty of Agriculture, Michael Opara Universityof Agriculture, Umudike

ABSTRACT

The influence of three sowing methods (drilling, dibbling and broadcasting) on plantestablishment, yield and yield components, as well as stem borer and bird damagewere investigated in two wheat varieties in Sokoto, Nigeria. Data obtained revealed thatcrop establishment was significantly influenced by sowing method in both croppingseasons, but not by variety. Sowing method, however, did not influence other yielddetermining components and yield significantly, nor did it influence stem borerinfestation and bird damage. There were no significant interactions between sowingmethod and variety on all parameters measured. Contrary to previous observations, theyield result obtained, showed that under similar agronomic conditions, broadcast wheatplot could give comparable yield to that obtained in dibbled or drilled wheat. Theimplication of this is that, farmers using broadcast method are not at a disadvantage

because reduction in plant establishment, as observed in broadcast wheat plot, may becompensated by increase in tiller formation and other yield components.

Key words: Wheat, variety sowing method and pest infestation.

INTRODUCTION

Wheat is the worlds most important crop, covering about 237 million hectares annually

and accounting for 420 million tonnes (Olabanji et. al., 2004). It accounts for at least

one-fifth of mans calorie intake. It is used in the production of bread, biscuits, feeds,

confectionary, and so on. Wheat has been cultivated in Nigeria for centuries (Olugbami,

et al., 1979). Olabanji et al. (2004) observed that ample evidence exist to show that

wheat has been cultivated in Nigeria as early as 200BC, although the currently


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cultivated varieties are relatively recent introduction. Ajayi (1983) observed that when a

crop is introduced into a foreign country, its survival depends both on its adaptability to

both biotic and abiotic factors. He emphasized that as it is not always possible to

accurately predict the outcome of the interaction between the new crop and local pests,

a programme for constant monitoring of the pest situation is usually beneficial. With

persistent calls to either abandon or reduce the use of pesticides on farms, an

investigation into appropriate cultural method (for example. sowing method) that will

adequately control or reduce pest incidents in wheat crop can not be over emphasized.

Domestic wheat production has remained at a very low level in spite of the ever

rising demand for the crop. The constraints to the cultivation of wheat in most wheat

growing areas in Nigeria include climatic requirements, appropriate agronomic practices

and preference for the cultivation of vegetables (Ohiagu, et al., 1987). Development of

improved agronomic practices in respect of land preparation, planting, nutrition, water

management, crop protection, harvest and post harvest technology have been the

major areas where researchers have concentrated their efforts. In United Kingdom,

pressure on financial margin in wheat production is driving a review of all inputs, and

seed represents one of the largest financial inputs in wheat production. The potential of

saving through exploitation of crop ability to compensate for reduction in population,

which may be observed when different sowing methods are used are therefore

attractive and forms important research area (Whaley, et al., 2000; Li Zhang et. al.,

2007).

With a projected population of 137.86 million people in 1997 (Ohiagu, et.al.,

1987), wheat consumption in Nigeria was projected to reach 1.5 million metric tonnes,


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with domestic production lagging behind demands. Ten years later, the prospect of

meeting local wheat demands seem unlikely, with the demise of most river basin

development projects (Olabanji et al. 2004). Yet yields obtained on farmers plots have

often lagged behind world average. It has been stressed that the establishment of

adequate crop stand is a prerequisite for a successful crop and this depends on

seedling emergence, which may be affected by sowing method employed by farmers. It

has been generally observed that seed sowing is an important operation requiring,

utmost care. In early American history, wheat was sown broadcast (Kipps, 1983),

however, broadcasting has been observed to reduce plant establishment as seeds are

said to be lost to pests and unfavourable weather conditions. Consequently, high seed

rates have been recommended when seeds are broadcast in order to compensate for

seed loss. Presently in America almost all wheat is drilled. The main reason given for

drilling wheat was better germination, which resulted in higher stands compared to

broadcasting (Kipps, 1983). It was stressed that broadcasting even when followed by

harrowing or raking does not bring seed in perfect contact with the soil for adequate

water uptake. In Nigeria, sowing methods employed by farmers vary considerably from

area to area. In Kadawa, Kano State, the vast majority of the farmers broadcast their

seeds, while farmers in Ringim, Jakarade and Hedjia dibbled either on the ridge or on

the flat. It has been observed that the method of sowing employed by farmers is

basically determined by the available technology rather than by the expected yield.

If Nigeria must meet her demands for wheat, there is the need for improved

methods of wheat cropping and large scale production with ultimate focus on expected

yields. The general consensus is that establishing adequate plant stand is a prerequisite


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for a successful crop. Though better crop establishment and crop yield has been

reported when wheat is drilled compared to other sowing methods, however, wheat

drilling is an expensive technology in the form of labour requirements for drilling or

machinery employed in seed drilling. Thus, seed broadcasting or dibbling is prevalent

on farmers plots. This trial therefore assessed the implication of the different sowing

methods, drilling, dibbling and broadcasting on crop establishment, yield components

and yield of wheat and pest infestation using drilling as a yardstick. The objectives were

to determine the effect of sowing method on crop establishment, crop yield and yield

components and investigate the effect of sowing method on pest infestation in two

wheat varieties.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Trials were conducted in the dry seasons of 1996/97 and 1997/98 at Usmanu Danfodiyo

University Teaching and Research Fadama Farm at Kwalkwalawa village in Sokoto

(latitude 130101; 050151; 300m above sea level) to investigate the response of two

varieties of wheat to sowing methods. Treatments consisted of three sowing methods

(drilling at 30 cm apart, dibbling at 30 x 30 cm2 and even broadcasting of seeds) and the

wheat varieties (Seri 82 and Flourence aurore 8193). The experiment which was

conducted using a randomized complete block design was factorially laid out with four

replications. Gross plot size was 15 m2 and a seed rate of 120 kg/ha was used for each

variety. The crop was sown on 3Ost October 1996 and 30th November 1997,

respectively for the first and second trial and was harvested approximately five (5)

months after, in each year. The crop was irrigated from a tube well by the use of a


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motorized pumping machine. Irrigation was done at interval of about seven days during

the vegetative stage and five days from heading till plant maturity. Total of 19 irrigations

were given through out the experimental period. Harvesting was manually done using

sickles to cut the plants close to the soil surface.

Data collected included establishment count/m2, number of tillers/m2, number of

spikes/m2, spike length, number of spikelets/spike, number of seeds/spike, 1000 - grain

weight, grain yield/ha, number of plants damaged by birds and stem borer infestation as

indicated by white heads. Data on establishment count was taken at two weeks after

planting (WAP) using the average of three quadrat throws of size 30 x 30 m

2

. The same

procedure was followed in determining tiller formation at 6WAP and number of spikes/

m2, which was observed prior to crop harvest. Twenty randomly sampled spikes were

taken from each plot and used for the determination of number of seeds/spike. At

maturity, all plants in the net plot (10 m2) were manually harvested, bound and weighed

to give total dry matter yield per plot. This was manually threshed, winnowed and the

recovered grains weighed to obtain grain yield per plot. Three samples of 1000 grains

randomly obtained from top, middle and bottom of the container holding the yield, were

weighed to determine 1000-grain weight. For stem borer incidence, the mean of total

number of white heads in three quadrat throws were obtained for each plot. Percentage

stem borer infestation was calculated as proportion ratio of damaged plants to total

plants per plot expressed in percentage. The same procedure was followed for bird

damage, which was characterized by broken plant stem and picked heads.

Data generated were subjected to analysis of variance using micro-statistical

programming (MSTAT) (Michigan State University, 1985). Treatments found to be


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statistically significant at p


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Table 1: Effect of sowing method on crop establishment, tiller formation, yield

components and grain yield of two wheat varieties in Sokoto, Nigeria in1996/97 dry season

Treatment Establishment/

m2

No. oftillers/ m2

No. ofspikes/ m2

Spikelength(cm)

No. ofspikelets/spike

No. ofseeds/spike

1000-grain wt(g)

Grainyield(kg/ha

Variety

Seri 82 288 798 725 9.1 15 2 35 1885

Flourence 265 720 692 9.6 16 2 32 1656

LSD Ns Ns Ns Ns Ns Ns Ns Ns

Sowing method

Drilling 381a 782 751 9.3 16 2 32 1674

Dibbling 366a 710 655 8.7 14 2 29 1561

Broadcast 239b 726 701 9.4 17 2 34 1566

LSD 32.1 Ns Ns Ns Ns Ns Ns Ns

Interaction

V x S Ns Ns Ns Ns Ns Ns Ns Ns

Treatments within the same column followed by unlike letters are statistically significantat p


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Table 2: Effect of sowing method on crop establishment, tiller formation, yieldcomponents and grain yield of two wheat varieties in Sokoto, Nigeria in1997/98 dry season

Treatment Establi

shment/m2

No. of

tillers/ m2

No. of

spikes/ m2

Spike

length(cm)

No. of

spikelets/spike

No. of

seeds/spike

1000-

grainwt (g)

Grain

yield(kg/ha)

Variety

Seri 82 257 728 712 9.5 16 2 36 1962

Flourence 253 711 702 10.6 16 2 34 1888


Sowing method

Drilling 271a 748 733 9.7 17 2 34 1764

Dibbling 256a 710 705 8.9 15 2 29 1424

Broadcast 226b 723 711 10.2 19 2 36 1558


Interaction




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Table 3: Effect of sowing method on crop establishment, tiller formation, yieldcomponents and grain yield of two wheat varieties in Sokoto, Nigeria(combined data of two seasons)

Treatment Establi

shment/m2

No.

oftillers/ m2

No.

ofspikes/ m2

Spike

length(cm)

No. of

spikelets/spike

No. of

seeds/spike

1000-

grain wt(g)

Grain yield

(kg/ha)

Variety

Seri 82 273 763 719 9.3 16 2 35.5 1923.5

Flourence 259 716 697 10.1 16 2 33.0 1772.0


Sowing method

Drilling 326a 765 742 9.5 17 2 33 1719

Dibbling 311a 710 680 8.8 15 2 29 1493

Broadcast 233b 725 706 9.8 18 2 35 1562


Interaction




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observed that seed broadcasting reduced crop establishment. It has been stressed that

for germination to occur there is need for the seed to be in contact with the soil to

facilitate water imbibition. Broadcasting, even when followed by raking does not bring

seed into perfect contact with the soil for water imbibition (Kipps, 1983; Chapman and

Carter, 1976). The low plant establishment count observed in broadcast wheat plots

could also due to loss as a result of washing away by irrigation water coupled with loss

due to pests, particularly ants, which were observed to be picking up exposed wheat

seeds in broadcast plots. These factors coupled with seed losses due to dehydration

where seeds were not adequately buried may have accounted for the low germination

observed in broadcast wheat plots. Since wheat possesses the ability to tiller, and the

tendency for tillering increase with reduction in plant population (Kipps, 1983), the effect

of reduced establishment count in broadcast wheat plot was masked by high tiller

formation, greater spike length, more spikelets/spike and grain weight, resulting in a non

significant effect of sowing method on total grain yield per hectare. Graham and Ellis

(1980) observed that broadcast wheat plot could yield as high as drilled wheat under

similar agronomic conditions.

Studies reveal that wheat in Nigeria is attacked by crickets, harvester ants,

stemborers, termites, aphids, head and leaf sucking bugs, weaver and Quelea birds and

rodents. Losses due to pests and diseases have been known to range from 30 35 per

cent (Olabanji, et al., 2007). However, recorded pest incidence in this trial was below 3

per cent. The trial revealed significantly higher (p


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Table 4: Effect of sowing method on stem borer infestation and bird damage intwo wheat varieties in Sokoto, Nigeria in 1997/98 dry season

Percent white head Percent bird damageTreatment1996/1997 1997/

1998

Combined 1996/1997 1997/

1998

Combined

Variety

Seri 2.43b 1.94b 2.19b 0.38b 2.34b 1.36b

Flourence 4.56a 2.33a 3.45a 0.44a 2.45a 1.45a

LSD 0.892 0.121 0.116 0.121 0.003 0.012

Sowing method

Drilling 2.89 2.94 2.92 0.35 2.21 1.28

Dibbling 2.66 2.13 2.40 0.22 2.49 1.36

Broadcast 2.64 1.42 2.03 0.66 2.50 1.58

LSD Ns Ns Ns Ns Ns Ns

V x S Ns Ns Ns Ns Ns Ns

Treatments within the same column followed by unlike letters are statistically significant

at p


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1993; Ashley, 1993; Falaki and Uvah, 1994) of a significant effect of variety on stem

borer incidence in wheat crop. Although insect pest is observed to be a major limiting

factor in crop production, whether grains, tubers, or legumes (Youdeowei and Service,

1995), however, the level of crop resistance is reported to vary between crops and

within crop varieties ((Abate, 1993; Ashley, 1993; Falaki and Uvah, 1994). The variation

in crop resistance to pest infestation within the same crop is demonstrated in the

observed result. While reporting on stem borer in rice (Jacquot and Courtois, 1993)

observed that some varieties are resistant to stem borer because of their physical

characteristics, which may be thick, woody tissues or lesser extent. They stressed that

the use of resistant varieties is a solution of particular interest to the farmer, as it does

not require of him additional work or investment.

The importance of bird as limiting factor to ripening and sprouting agricultural

crops have been stressed (Jacquot and Courtois, 1993). However, during the

experimental period percentage damage from stem borer were observed to be higher

that damage from bids (Table 4). The observation not withstanding, birds are still threats

to grains on the field (Jacquot and Courtois, 1993). When wheat is sown in the path of

migrating birds, the damage could be more devastating than stem borer damage,

particularly putting into consideration that it is much easier to breed against stem borer,

than breeding against birds. There was however, no significant effect of sowing method

on bird damage. There was no significant interaction effects between variety and

sowing method on all parameters measured.


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CONCLUSION

The results obtained on grain yield in this study indicated that farmers using any of the

sowing methods investigated may not be at a disadvantage as reduction in plant

establishment (as observed in broadcast wheat) may be compensated for by increase in

tiller formation and other yield components resulting in non significant differences in

observed yield. Since stem borer infestation was least favoured by seed broadcasting,

the sowing method may be used in areas where birds do not pose a threat to wheat

crop noting that broadcast gave the highest bird damage compared to other treatments.

REFERENCES

Abate, O. (1993). Pest control. In: Principles of Dry land Farming in Africa (Rowland,J.R.J. ed) Macmillan (Lond) Press Ltd pp 118 -204

Ajayi, O. (1983). The incidence of stem borers on irrigated wheat in Nigeria. SamaruMiscellaneous Paper15pp

Arnon, I. (1982). The physiology of dry land farming. In: The Physiology of Dry LandFarming(Gupta, U.S. ed). Oxford and IBH Publication Company pp1 124

Ashley, J. (1993). Wheat crop In: Principles of Dry land Farming in Africa (Rowland,J.R.J. ed) Macmillan (Lond) Press Ltd pp 46 - 67

Chapman, S.R. and Carter, L.P (1976). Principles and Practice of Field CropProduction. W.H. Freeman and Company 680pp

Falaki, A.M. and Uvah, I.I. (1994). Effects of planting methods on reduction of rodentdamage in wheat. IAR. , ABU, Zaria 1994 Cropping Scheme Meeting: Report onCereal Research Programmepp8

Gomez, K.A. and Gomez, A. (1984). A Statistical Procedure for Agricultural Research.John Wiley and Sons, New York 680pp

Graham, J.P and Ellis, F.B. (1980). The merit of precision drilling and broadcasting forestablishment of cereal crops in Britain. In: Hay, R.K.M. and J.A. Walker (1989).An Introduction to the Physiology of Crop Yield. Longman Scientific Technical167pp


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Hay, R.K.M. and Walker, J.A (1989). An Introduction to the Physiology of Crop Yield.

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LI Zhanq, Tadashi Takahashi, Kana Funjimoto, Shinji Yamaguchi, TomohikoMatsuzawa (2007). Factors in reduction in winter wheat by early-sowing inYamaguchi. Plant Production Science10:2, 189

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Olabanji, O.G., Omeje, M.U., Mohammed, I., Ndahi, W.B. and Nkema, I. (2007). Wheat.In Cereal Crops of Nigeria: Principles of Production and Utilization, xxii, 337(Idem, N.U.A. and F.A. Showemimo edited) pp 230 - 249

Olugbemi, L.B.; Redden, R., Aguda, E.V., Palmer, J.L., Balasubramania, V., Singh, L.,Palmer-Jones, R. and Dunham, R. (1979). History and status of wheat researchin Nigeria. Samaru Miscellaneous Paper85 In: Ajayi, O. (1983). The incidence ofstem borers on irrigated wheat in Nigeria. Samaru Miscellaneous Paper15pp

Rowland, J.R.J. and Whiteman, P. (1993). Principles of dry land farming. In: Dry LandFarming in Africa(Rowland, J.R.J ed ). Macmillan London Press Ltd pp68 94

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