Vol. 12, Issue 9 (2023)

Author(s):
M Kumaresan, Dr. T Selvakumar, Dr. N Satheeshkumar, Dr. KRV Sathya Sheela and Dr. P Janaki

Abstract:
Maize (Zea mays L.) called as queen of cereals is the third important cereal crops grown all over the for food and also as cattle and poultry feed. Weeds grow profusely in maize fields in early stages and reduce crop yields drastically. Normally yield loss between 15-30% and in severe cases the yield losses more than 50% is observed in maize. Weeds are one of the main constraints in the crop production and repeated use of synthetic herbicides in heavy doses causes environment pollution which decline in the soil health and increases the number of herbicide resistant weeds. To reduce the chemical effect during consumption and to minimize the weeds through natural way an experiment was carried out with randomized block design with 9 treatments and 3 replications during summer at Maize Research Station, Vagarai. The treatments were T₁- Mulching with maize stover (@ 5 tons ha 1), T₂- Mulching with sugarcane trash (@ 5 tons ha 1), T₃- Cowpea (1:1 additive series) and incorporation with power weeder on 25-30 DAS, T4- Sunnhemp broadcasting and incorporation with power weeder on 25-30 DAS, T5- Cowpea (1:1 additive series) as brown manuring through targeted application of ITK-based herbicide on 25-30 DAS, T6- Sunnhemp broadcasting as brown manuring through targeted application of ITK-based herbicide on 25-30 DAS, T₇- Power weeder twice on 20 and 40 DAS, T8- Hand weeding twice on 20 and 40 DAS and T9- Weedy check. Based on the experimental results, higher grain yield and stover yield, lower weed flora, weed density and total dry matter of weed was observed in mulching with sugarcane trash (@ 5 tons ha 1) (T₂) followed by hand weeding twice on 20 and 40 DAS (T₈). While, the lowest yield and higher weed flora, weed density and total dry matter of weed was recorded in weedy check (T9). In the study it was concluded that the treatment of mulching with sugarcane trash was effective for the control of weeds in maize.