O.S. Olabode  , S. Ogunyemi  , G.O. Adesina  , 
    Effect of Mexican Sunflower (<I>Tithonia diversifolia </I>(Helms) A. Gray) Interference  in the Performance of Melon (<I>Citrulus lanatus</I> Thumb. Mansfd),
    Agricultural Journal,
    Volume 2,Issue 1,
    2007,
    Pages 23-26,
    ISSN 1816-9155,
    aj.2007.23.26,
    (https://makhillpublications.co/view-article.php?doi=aj.2007.23.26)
    Abstract: Good weed management strategy is based on good understanding of the intricate interactions involved in weed-crop association. Based on this assertion, field experiments were conducted to study the interference effect of <I>Tithonia diversifolia </I>on melon. Ten treatments were investigated in a randomized complete block experiment (RCBD) with three replications. Result showed that <I>Tithonia</I> interference reduced melon growth significantly (p = 0.05) with increasing length of interference. <I>Tithonia</I> interference in melon for smore than 4 weeks after planting (WAP) was as bad as not weeding at all while interference free period of not more than 2 WAP was equally inadequate and produced plants that were as stunted as those not weeded at all. Melon seed yield was significantly better when exposed to a minimum of 4 WAP <I>Tithonia</I> interference free period  or  a  maximum  of 2 WAP <I>Tithonia</I> interference than other treatments (p = 0.05). Highest seed yield (2825 kg ha<SUP>-1</SUP>) was produced by melon plants exposed only 2 WAP interference. However plot with the highest yield was not statistically significant to yield from melon plot with at least 6 weeks of initial weed freeness and the control plot (240, 2646 and 2627 kg ha<SUP>-1</SUP>, respectively) and for weed free melon plots of 6 and 8 weeks, respectively. Onset of crop/weed interaction affected both the dry matter and plant density of <I>Tithonia</I> significantly (p = 0.05). These parameters decreased with increased delay in the onset of crop/weed interaction. The implication of these findings is discussed.
    Keywords: Sunflower;effect;melon;performance;strategy