IMPACT OF IMMOBILISED ALIPHATIC AMINES USING SOFT AND HARD LIGNOCELLULOSIC MATERIALS FOR INHIBITING STRIGA HERMONTHICA INFESTATION IN MAIZE (ZEA MAYS) FIELD

Abstract

 Parasitism of weeds have increased dependence on inorganic fertilizers, herbicides and chemicals to maintain adequate weeds control which are detrimental to crop nutrient quality, taste, soil fertility, retention of nutrients, water and the environment through nitrate leaching and eutrophication. This work examined the impact of nitrogen fertilization of Methylamine and Trimethylamine to maintain high nitrogen humus that increases the performance of cereal crops under striga infestation with soft and hard lignocellulosic materials as soil conditioners. The physiochemical parameters showed characteristic functions for Chemical modifications. The unmodified and modified sawdust were run under FT-IR to know the extent of modifications. The result revealed that the sawdust were oxidised at 0.02-1.0M KIO4 but limited on 0.02-0.04M KIO4. The immobilised soft sawdust of 0.05-1.0M Methylamine, 1.0M Trimethylamine and the immobilized hard sawdust of 0.05-1.5M methylamine on the sprouting maize showed progressive growth but lower compared to 0.05-1.5M Trimethylamine that inflamed part of the crop. Soft wood showed better fertilization than hard wood and 0.05-1.5M of the amines suppressed S. hermonthica from gradual to complete absence. Understanding these fertilization strategies, which enhance the competitive ability of crops while reducing interference from weeds will benefit small-scale farmers, agrochemical industries and control environmental pollution.