WEED CONTROL PROGRAM IN TOBACCO

PT. Perkebunan Nusantara X (Persero)

Unit Tembakau Klaten

WEED CONTROL PROGRAM IN TOBACCO

Erna Anastasia DE, SP; Ir. BE Pranoto; St. Cahyo Hertanto, SP dan Anis Puji Lestari, SP

Abstract

La Nina as a trigger of extreme weather would typically cause a wet period in dry season. The phenomena of moderate La Nina has given a various effect to the product of tobacco commodity such as the abundances of viruses and weed on the planting area and the problems of tobacco’s post harvested.  Weed is a plant considered undesirable, unattractive, or troublesome, especially one growing where it is not wanted. Weed control is an important production practice in tobacco since weed competition for moisture and nutrients to the main plants may result in yield losses. In addition to reduced yields, weeds may also be a source of plant disease, viruses and raise the cost of harvested tobacco.  With intensive cultivation weed was not a serious problem to the Vorstenlanden tobacco. But in 2010 weed has become a big problem in the field during the preceding of Vorstenlanden tobacco at PT. Perkebunan Nusantara X (Persero).  Some anticipations needed to control weed in tobacco planting area are considering the dominant weed (grass), the main plant, the available of control alternative, and the effect of economy and ecology.  Chemical and mechanically weed control program are the two alternatives has been tried to control the weed population during the preceding time. The mechanically weed control program is the alternative taken to control the weed population on the field during the preceding time.

The methods of mechanically weed control program include: cultivation periodically using tractor, hand-hoeing cultivation.  This method can effectively control the population of weed even though it needs lot of workers, money, and time. 

Key words: Weed, La Nina, Mechanical Control, Tobacco