Demonstrations of Improved Weed Management Options for Malt Barley in Central Ethiopia Region

Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) production is seriously affected by weed infestation due to the absence of effective management strategies. A field experiment was conducted to demonstrate the effect of post emergence herbicides on the management of malt barley weeds during the main growing season of 2018. The effects of three different herbicides on weed competition and the grain yield of malt barley were evaluated. Untreated controls were included to allow maximum weed infestation for comparison. The trial was laid out in a randomized complete block design with four replications. Based on our weed assessment Avena fatua and Galinsoga parviflora were the most common and prevailing weed species of barley. The results of the study revealed that the maximum weed infestation of 84.7% was recorded in the untreated plot, whereas the lowest weed infestation of 16.7% was recorded in the Axial+2.4.D treated plot. The malt barley revealed significant difference (p ≤ 0.05) for yield related traits due to herbicides treatment. Weed infestation resulted in a high grain yield loss of 71.8% in the unsprayed plot, while the lowest grain yield loss of 7.71% was obtained in the Plass+2.4.D treated plot. The trials clearly determined the appropriate herbicide for the management of malt barley weeds. The combined use of Axal+2.4.D can be recommended as the best option for obtaining higher vegetative growth and yield in barley production. However, future research on the management of major weed species in different agro-ecology is mandatory to develop more conclusive recommendations.