Integrated management of parthenium (Parthenium hysterophorus L.) and its effect on yield components and yield of maize (Zea mays L.) in West Gojjam Zone, Amhara National Regional State, Ethiopia

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted to elucidate the effect of integrated management on parthenium and yield components and yield of maize. The experiment was laid in a randomized complete block design with 14 treatments with a factorial arrangement. The highest parthenium density (87.80 m−2) and dry biomass (764.61 g/m2) were recorded by weedy check while the lowest was in weed‐free check (0.00 m−2 and 0.00 g/m2), respectively. Late physiological maturity (140 days) was observed in 2,4‐D+Straw mulching and weed‐free check at Upper Bir and early maturity (133.00 days) were in weedy check at Lower Bir. 2,4‐D+Twice hand hoeing and Butrazine + Straw mulching with 308.23 cm showed higher plant height at Lower Bir and least was in weedy check (265.96 cm) at Upper Bir. The highest numbers of kernels per ear, 1,000 kernels weight and grain yield (714.75, 438.33 g, and 11.40 tha−1) were recorded on weed‐free check at Lower Bir and the lowest was on weedy control (418.00, 438.33 g, and 5.29 tha−1) at Upper Bir, respectively. The maximum dry biomass of maize was recorded for Butrazine + Straw mulching (13.51 tha−1) at Lower Bir and the minimum was recorded for weedy control (7.68 tha−1) at Upper Bir. Weed‐free control (93.42%) and weedy control (68.95%) had the highest and lowest harvest index at Upper Bir, respectively. Therefore, using 2,4‐D with straw mulching could provide good control of parthenium, economical, and ultimately better yielded.