Description

Abstract: A survey to document peanut farmers’ weed management practices was conducted in the Ashanti, Brong Ahafo, Eastern, and Volta regions of Ghana, West Africa during 2001. Peanut was planted as the only crop in 64% of fields surveyed. Land preparation method was related to land tenure system. The slash and burn system constituted 72% of farmers surveyed. In Brong Ahafo region, 80% of the farmers planted on ridges while peanut was planted flat primarily in the Volta region. Planting flat or on ridges was variable in Ashanti and Eastern regions. Cogongrass [Imperata cylindrical (L.) Beauv.] was ranked as the worst weed by 41% of farmers. Wild poinsettia (Euphorbia heterophylla L.) was ranked second by 38% of farmers. Difficulty in weeding, interference with peanut, rapid growth, and profuse seeding were reasons given by farmers for ranking these weeds as the two most pernicious in Ghana. Weed control was perceived as poor by 65% of farmers, fair by 24% of farmers, and good by 12% of farmers. Sixty-nine percent of farmers hired labor for weed control. Weeding was done manually by 96% of growers with only 4% of weed control being achieved by herbicides. Farmers perceived that peanut yield loss, due to untimely or inappropriate weed control, could range from 21 to 80%.