Response of Weed Management on Growth, Yield and Yield Attributes of Kharif maize (Zea mays L.)

Abstract

The present investigation entitled “Weed management in kharif maize (Zeamays L)” was carried out during kharif 2019 at College Farm, College of Agriculture, Badnapur, Dist.- Jalna. Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Krishi Vidyapeeth, Parbhnai Maharashtra (India). Randomized Block design used for study which comprises ten treatments. Among treatments, weed free treatment attributed more number of leaves, maximum plant height, dry matter production and leaf area per plant followed by treatment of topramezone 33.6% SC @ 25.2g a.i.ha-1 + atrazine 50% WP @ 250g a.i.ha-1. Poor growth attributes were recorded in weedy check. Significantly maximum values of yield attributes were recorded in treatment of topramezone 33.6 % SC @ 25.2g a.i.ha-1 + atrazine 50% WP @ 250 (g) a.i. ha-1 followed by treatment of tembotrione 42% SC @ 105g a.i.ha-1 + atrazine 50% WP @ 250 g a,i. ha-1. Minimum values of yield attributes were attributed in weedy check. Treatment of topramezone + atrazine @ 25.2 + 250g a.i ha-1 as PoE (T6) found effective in limiting weed growth and recorded lower weed index, weed dry matter with higher weed control efficiency followed by tembotrione + atrazine @ 105 + 250(g) a.i.ha-1 as PoE (T7) at all growth stages of crop. Lower uptake of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium by weeds were recorded in treatment of topramezone + atrazine @ 25.2+ 250g a.i.ha-1 as PoE followed by tembotrione + atrazine @ 105 +250g a.i. ha-1 as PoE. The benefit cost ratio was highest (2.94) with application of topramezone + atrazine @ 25.2 + 250g a.i ha-1 followed by tembotrione + atrazine @ 105 + 250g a.i. ha-1 as PoE (2.81) whereas weedy check recorded significantly lower B:C ratio (1.50) over other treatments.