Crop residues, Economics, Maize hybrids, Planting methods, Weed management, Zero-tillage

A field experiment was conducted at Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, Regional Research Station, Karnal during rainy season (Kharif ) 2015. Two planting methods, viz. zero tillage and raised beds each with and without residues were evaluated with three maize hybrids (HQPM-1, HM-4 and HM-10) and two weed management treatments viz. pre-emrgence application (PE) of atrazine 750 g/ha followed by (fb) hand weeding (HW) at 30 days after seeding (DAS) and unweeded check, in a split plot design. Dactyloctenium aegyptium, Brachiaria reptans, Eragrostis tenella, Portulaca oleracea, Ammania baccifera and Cyperus rotundus along with some other broad-leaved weeds  (BLW) predominated the experimental field. Zero tillage with residues and atrazine 750 g/ha PE fb 1 HW at 30 DAS recorded the lowest density and biomass of weeds, at 20 and 40 DAS, greater number of grains/cob, grain yield and net returns. However, the benefit- cost ratio (B:C) was maximum with zero tillage without residue. Lower weed density was observed with maize hybrid HM-10 and HM-4 as compared to HQPM-1. The minimum biomass of BLW, maximum number of grains/cob, grain yield, net returns and B:C were observed with hybrid HM-4, while the minimum biomass of grassy weeds and sedges was with HM-10.