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ABSTRACT
Maize (Zea mays L.) is one of the main cereal crops. It is a staple food for millions of people, especially in developing countries, where it provides essential nutrients and micronutrients and can be processed into various products. Organic mulching is a simple and effective way to improve soil health and derive other benefits such as conserving moisture, controlling soil temperature and suppressing weed growth. Azadirachta. indica is thought to have potential benefits in weed management when used as mulch. Therefore, this study investigated the potential of A. indica leaf residues as a mulch for weed suppression in maize. Field experiment was conducted at the Faculty of Agriculture Teaching and Research Farm, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria. The experimental design involved a randomized complete block, with four replications. The treatments comprised four rates of freshly cut A. indica plant residue (0, 1, 3, 5 g m-2 ) applied as mulch. Variables studied were weed density and weed biomass. Results showed that weed density decreased with increase in the rate of applied A. indica residue. This trend was similar for weed biomass. Plots treated with 3 or 5 kg m-2 effected the most significant weed suppression, highlighting these rates as potentially optimal for weed management.
