Abstract

A field study on the effect of herbicide (Pendimenthaline) on physicochemical properties of soil was conducted between August to September (2010) on a sandy-loamy soil located at Federal University of Technology, Crop Science Farm Gidan-Kwano, Minna. Samples were collected randomly from the experimental farm before and after application of herbicide, on which cowpea was cultivated. Herbicide (pendimenthaline) was applied at below recommended rate, recommended rate and above recommended rate. Effects of the herbicide on physicochemical properties of soil pH, percentage organic matter and cowpea yield reveals significant changes in soil pH that was observed in soil treated with herbicide at recommended rate and above recommended rate (P<0.05). There was a reduction in percentage organic matter in all the soil. Cowpea yield was highest in site treated with herbicide at above recommended rate and lowest in the control site. The results revealed that herbicide is an integral part of farming for bumper harvest yield.

Key words: Herbicide pendimenthaline, physicochemical, cowpea, recommended rate.