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| Distribution and Control of Mesquite Tree Prosopis Juliflora (Swartz) DC Using Some Herbicide and Herbicide Mixtures in Gezira State, Sudan |
Thoria Talab Abdeldaim Talab, Mohamed S. A. Zaroug, Dafalla A. Dawood
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Abstract:
Mesquite (Prosopis juliflora) is considered as one of the worst weeds that cause significant threat to agricultural production. It was introduced into Sudan to curb desertification, but in recent years became a serious weed. The present study was undertaken to investigate the distribution and the efficacy of some herbicides and their mixtures in controlling mesquite tree in Gezira State, Sudan. Ground surveys were used to determine the distribution and density, on-farm experiments were carried out to evaluate the efficacy of 2,4-D, glyphosate and their tank mixture as basal bark application, and 2,4-D as foliar application for controlling mesquite compared to recommended herbicide triclopyr. The herbicides were dissolved in diesel oil and applied using a knapsack sprayer. The presented results revealed that mesquite trees were distributed throughout the study area giving a relative mean field density in the four directions of 12.5%. High density was recorded in the northern and eastern directions amounted for 20.5 tree/100m2 and 20 tree/100m2, respectively. The basal bark application of tank mixture of 2, 4-D 5% + glyphosate 5% gave 100% control of mesquite trees within 90-120 days after treatment. The foliar application of 2, 4-D at 7% and 9% caused complete death of mesquite within 60-90 days after treatment. In conclusion, the current situation of mesquite spread reflected the increasing hazards to agricultural land due to mesquite invasion in Gezira State. It is therefore, necessary to adopt a management program using a tank mixture of 2, 4-D 5% + glyphosate 5% as basal bark application or 2,4-D at 9% as foliar application to control mesquite tree in sparse stands or in close canopy forests.
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