Effect of Tillage and Weed Control Methods in Maize (Zea mays) -Wheat (Triticum aestivum) Cropping System

Abstract

An experiment was conducted to find out the effect of tillage and weed control methods on weed dynamics and productivity of maize (Zea mays L.)-wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cropping system. The treatments comprised of combinations of tillage sequences in main plots and weed control methods in sub plots. The results revealed that zero tillage in rainy and winter season is as good as conventional tillage method in reducing weed dry matter and producing maize and system yield, while, conventional tillage in rainy and winter seasons (CT-CT) and conventional tillage in rainy and zero tillage in winter (CT-ZT) reduced weed density as well as weed dry weight in wheat crop consequently, higher wheat grain yield was recorded compared to rest of the tillage sequences. Integrated weed management performed in maize and wheat (IWM-IWM) sequence recorded 51.78% and 61.96% higher maize grain yield and net return of maize, 18.40% and 17.23% higher wheat grain yield and net return of wheat, 31.78% and 34.96% higher system yield and net return respectively, compared to weedy check. Zero tillage with or without residue recorded improved soil pH, organic carbon, CO 2 and dehydrogenase activity. IWM in both the crops recorded higher yields, while significantly higher B:C ratio was under recommended herbicide i.e. atrazine 1.0 kg ha-1 pre emergence in maize and 2,4-D 0.5 kg ha-1 post emergence in wheat (RH-RH). IWM-IWM improved soil CO 2 and dehydrogenase activity than RH-RH sequences from their initial values.

Enhancing hybrid maize (Zea mays) productivity, profitability and energetics through tillage and weed-management practices in Eastern India

“…In general, there was progressive increase in dry weight of weeds with time and lesser weed dry matter was recorded in conventional tillage (CT), followed by minimum tillage (MT) and zero tillage (ZT) practice at all the stages. Upasani et al (2017) also reported non-significant effect of tillage methods in maize -wheat system on dry-matter accumulation of weeds. The total dry-matter of weeds in maize crop was higher in ZT plots than MT and CT practices (Kumar and Angadi, 2014).…”

Effect of Ready Mix Application of Herbicide on Weed Dynamics and Productivity of Maize in Lateritic Belt of West Bengal

“…Therefore, application of one or more herbicides as pre-emergence or post emergence or combination of both, will help to control divergent weed flora like sedges, grasses and broad leaf weeds in maize without causing long term adverse effects. Sole application of atrazine which is a widely used herbicide does not provide effective control of weeds (Upasani et al, 2017). Mixing of herbicides for better control of weeds is emerging to tackle the sturdy weed population.…”

Effect of Different Rates and Time of Application of Phosphorus on Yield, Soil Fertility, Nutrient Uptake and Monetary Returns of No-till Maize (Zea mays L.) after Lowland Rice

“…No-tillage is the practice of sowing crops directly in the residues of the previous crop without cultivation, while stubbles are retained and weeds are controlled with herbicide (Labios et al, 2002). Zero tillage would reduce the soil erosion and loss of soil organic matter (Lal, 2004, Chalise et al, 2020 and increase yield (Upasani et al, 2017). Khan et al, 2018).…”