Effect of Weed Control Methods on the Performance of Maize (Zea mays L.) Varieties in the Northern Guinea and Sudan Savanna Zones of Kebbi State

Abstract

Effective weed control and varietal selection are important for maize productivity in savanna agroecological zones. This study evaluated the responses of three maize varieties to five weed control treatments in two field trials conducted during the 2025 wet season in Aliero and Yauri, Kebbi State, Nigeria. Each experiment used a 3 × 5 factorial arrangement in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The varieties were SAMMAZ-9, SAMMAZ-51, and SAMMAZ-59. Weed control treatments comprised 2,4-D at 500 mL ha⁻¹, atrazine at 375 g ha⁻¹, their combined application at the same rates, hoe weeding at three and six weeks after sowing, and an untreated weedy control. SAMMAZ-9 generally exhibited superior vegetative growth, including greater plant height, and a higher harvest index, although several growth and yield components were statistically comparable with those of SAMMAZ-51. At Yauri, SAMMAZ-51 produced the highest grain yield among the varieties. Weed control treatments significantly affected growth and yield parameters. The combined application of 2,4-D and atrazine consistently produced the lowest weed dry weight and highest harvest index, alongside higher seed weight and grain yield, at both locations. The untreated control recorded the poorest performance under sustained weed competition. The findings support combining SAMMAZ-51 with 2,4-D at 500 mL ha⁻¹ and atrazine at 375 g ha⁻¹ for effective weed suppression and improved grain production under the conditions of these trials.