 The aim of weed control is to reduce competition below a given economic damage threshold to achieve optimum yield  Weeds compete with crops for nutrients, water light, space, oxygen and carbon dioxide.  The extent of yield reduction depends upon the time, duration and intensity of weed infestation.  Where agrochemicals are introduced as a new product it is useful to demonstrate the profitability of the new practice and the impact of the treatment cost on the whole economy of crop system.  We need to establish environmental and application methods that facilitate rapidity and increased duration of action of the product  The aim of weed control is to reduce competition below a given economic damage threshold to achieve optimum yield  Weeds compete with crops for nutrients, water light, space, oxygen and carbon dioxide.  The extent of yield reduction depends upon the time, duration and intensity of weed infestation.  Where agrochemicals are introduced as a new product it is useful to demonstrate the profitability of the new practice and the impact of the treatment cost on the whole economy of crop system.  We need to establish environmental and application methods that facilitate rapidity and increased duration of action of the product

 The active ingredient (oxyfluorfen) is a member of the diphenyl ether group of herbicides.  The product has the inhibitor of Protoporphyrinogen oxidase mode of action.  Protoporphyrinogen oxidase (PPO) is an enzyme in the chloroplast of the plant cell that oxidizes Protoporphyrinogen to produce protoporphyrin IX.  This product is important because it is a precursor molecule for both chlorophyll (needed for photosynthesis) and heme (needed for electron transfer chains).

 This is a cereal crop taken from maize, harvested early when the ears are very young small and immature  It is actually eaten whole crop included in contrast with mature maize that usually has a tough cob

 To determine efficacy of commander 240 EC (Oxyfluorfen) at different rates in control of different weeds species.  To determine the tolerance limit of baby corn to the herbicide at different rates.  To determine net return and cost/benefit ratio accruing from use of the herbicide in baby corn.  To determine efficacy of commander 240 EC (Oxyfluorfen) at different rates in control of different weeds species.  To determine the tolerance limit of baby corn to the herbicide at different rates.  To determine net return and cost/benefit ratio accruing from use of the herbicide in baby corn.

 The trial will be carried out at the Efficacy trial site at the College of agriculture and veterinary services of the University of Nairobi, kabete field station farm during short rains in  Land will be conventionally prepared by ploughing followed by harrowing and finally hand hoeing.  The experimental design will be complete randomized block design with each of seven treatment replicated three times for the crop.  The crop will be allocated 21 plots measuring 3 by 3 square meters

Treatment description Rate 1 Weed free No weeding to be done in the plot 2 Weedy throughoutComplete weeding to be done prior to planting and at 2 nd, 5 th and 8 th Weeks after planting 3 Farmers practiceWeeded at 4 th and 8 th WAP 4 Below recommended rate of herbicide 1L/Ha commander 240EC (Oxyfluorfen) in 350L/Ha of H 2 O 5 Recommended herbicide rate 1.5L/Ha commander 240EC (Oxyfluorfen) in 350L/Ha of H 2 O 6 Above recommended herbicide rate 2L/Ha commander 240EC (Oxyfluorfen) in 350L/Ha of H 2 O 7 Standard herbicide1L/Ha Galigan 240 EC(oxyfluorfen) in 350L/Ha of H2O

 Commander 240 EC (oxyfluorfen) will be applied pre- emergent to baby corn and pre- and post-emergent early to weeds.  Baby corn will be planted at a spacing of 75cm by 30cm, this will make a crop stand of 840 plants.  Overhead sprinkler irrigation will be used to supplement rainfall.

BLOCK 3BLOCK 1BLOCK 2 PLOT 1: Treatment 7PLOT 1: Treatment 4PLOT 1: Treatment 6 PLOT 2: Treatment 5PLOT 2: Treatment 1PLOT 2: Treatment 3 PLOT3: Treatment 3PLOT3: Treatment 6PLOT 3: Treatment 2 PLOT 4: Treatment 4PLOT 4: Treatment 3PLOT 4: Treatment 5 PLOT 5: Treatment 2PLOT 5: Treatment 7PLOT 5: Treatment 1 PLOT 6:Treatment 1PLOT 6: Treatment 5PLOT 6: Treatment 4 PLOT 7: Treatment 6PLOT 7 :Treatment 2PLOT 7: Treatment 7

 Germination and survival rate  Crop tolerance/ phytotoxicity of the test chemical to baby corn  Weed count by species  Climatic data- rainfall and temperature data shall be collected from the meteorological station at field station  Yield components  Cost benefit analysis; Total production cost will be compared with total income from yield to determine Net return in each of the treatments

DATEACTIVITY 21 st Dec 2012Land preparation 28 th Dec 2012Sowing Application of all treatments 12 th Jan 2013Collection of data No th Jan 2013Application of treatment 2 27 th Jan 2013Collection of data number 2 Application of treatments 2 & 3 Weeding in the paths 29 th Jan 2013Application of CAN 12 th Feb 2013Collection of data number 3 Application of treatment 2 26 th Feb 2013Collection of data number 4 Application of treatments 2 & 3 Weeding in the paths 11 th march 2013Collection of data number 5 Application of treatment 2 28 th march 2013Collection of yield data

FUNCTIONAMOUNTRATE (Ksh)TOTAL (Ksh ) Payment of casuals Purchase of seeds1Kg250 Purchase of DAP4Kg Purchase of CAN4Kg Printing and photocopies36 copies Irrigation TOTAL18450

Data collected will be summarized and subjected to statistical analysis by Genstat software package and subjected top ANOVA- analysis of variance with significant treatments separated by Student Newman Keuls at p< 0.05 level of confidence

Ciba-Geigy, Manual for trials in plant protection. Werner Puntener, agricultural Division, Ciba-Geigy Limited< Switzerland. Nyandat N.N. and D.O. Michieka Soils in kirima kimwe, faculty of agriculture farm. National Agricultural Laboratory. Ministry of agriculture. Kenya (Washington state university portal) ext.html (EXTOXNET- Extension Toxicology Network, portal)