Effect of different pre-and post-emergence herbicides on weed control, productivity and economics of maize

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at Agricultural Research Station, Vizianagaram, Andhra Pradesh during rainy seasons of 2015 and 2016 to find out the best chemical weed management practices in maize (Zea mays L.). Twelve treatments were tested in randomized block design with three replications. Treatments consisted of pre-emergence (PE) and post-emergence (PoE) herbicides applications along with weed free check and weedy check. Experimental results indicated that PoE of tank mix formulation of tembotrione 50 g/ha + atrazine 0.5 kg/ha at 15–20 days after seeding (DAS) has recorded highest weed control efficiency (93.6 and 96.9%, respectively during 2015 and 2016) followed by hand weeding twice at 20 and 40 DAS (90.1 and 95.6%, respectively). Grain yield was significantly higher (9.79 t/ha and 8.70 t/ha, respectively) with hand weeding twice at 20 and 40 DAS, and it was closely followed by PoE of tembotrione 50 g/ha + atrazine 0.5 kg/ha (9.65 t/ha and 8.61 t/ha respectively). Net monetary returns (` 104357 and ` 97985, respectively) and B: C ratio (2.94 and 3.14, respectively) were also significantly high with PoE application of tembotrione 50 g/ha + atrazine 0.5 kg/ha.