Email:
ranjanshivani54@gmail.com
Address:
Department of Agronomy, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa, Samastipur, Bihar, 848125, India
Integrated weed management, Maize, Power weeder, Weed control efficiency, Zero tillage
A field experiment was carried out during the winter season of 2016-17 and 2017-18 to evaluate the effect of integrated weed management in maize under zero tillage conditions on weed control efficiency, growth, yield and economics of maize. The experiment comprised ten integrated weed management treatments, viz. glyphosate 1.6 kg/ha 3 days before sowing (DBS); glyphosate 1.6 kg/ha 3 DBS followed by (fb) power weeder at 25 days after sowing (DAS); pre-emergence (PE) application of halosulfuron 67.5 g/ha; halosulfuron 67.5 g/ha PE fb power weeder at 25 DAS; atrazine 1.5 kg/ha PE; atrazine 1.5 kg/ha PE fb power weeder at 25 DAS; imazethapyr 100 g/ha PE; imazethapyr 100 g/ha PE + post-emergence (PoE) application of fenoxaprop 100 g/ha at 20-25 DAS; weed free (3 hand weeding at 20, 40, 60 DAS) and weedy check. The weed-free treatment as well as atrazine 1.5 kg/ha PE fb power weeder at 25 DAS recorded maximum weed control efficiency, maize growth and yield during both years. However, the highest net returns 99887 and 100333/ha and B: C ratio 2.66 and 2.78 were obtained with atrazine PE fb power weeder, respectively. Thus, integrated weed management using atrazine 1.5 kg/ha PE fb power weeder at 25 DAS improved the weed index, weed control efficiency, growth attributes, yield as well and profitability of winter maize under zero tillage conditions.