Weed management in maize under rainfed organic farming system

Abstract

Field experiment was conducted under organic farming for three consecutive years during 2008-09 to 2010-11 to study the effect of different non-chemical weed management practices on productivity and weed infestation in maize in mid altitude (950 m MSL) of Meghalaya, India. Total eight treatment in three replication were evaluated on maize. Grain weight/cob of maize was maximum under mulching with fresh Eupatorium sp. biomass after earthing up at 30 days after sowing (DAS). The highest maize yield was recorded under mulching with fresh Eupatorium 10 t/ha, but it was statistically at par with two hand weeding (HW) at 20 and 40 DAS, weed free check and soybean green manure incorporation in situ + one HW. Two HW, soybean green manure incorporation + one HW and mechanical weeding (20 DAS) + one HW (after earthing up) were found to be effective in weed reduction in maize. Weed control efficiency was recorded maximum under two HW which was at par with mechanical weeding (20 DAS) + one HW. Available N, P, K and soil organic carbon concentration after 3-croppoing cycles were maximum under mulching with fresh Eupatorium 10 t/ha treatment followed by soybean green manuring + one HW (45 DAS) than those under other weed management practices. Thus, mulching with fresh Eupatorium (after earthing up) and soybean green manuring + one HW were the recommendable options for sustainable organic maize production under high rainfall hill ecosystem of North-East India.

Weed Management Practices in Maize (Zea mays L.): A Review

“…Grain losses in maize varied between 28-100 per cent, if weeds were not controlled during the critical period of crop weed competition (Kumar et al, 2017b). During Kharif season maize suffers from heavy weed infestation, which may cause yield losses ranging from 28-100 per cent depending upon the intensity and nature of infestation of weeds (Das et al, 2016). Imoloame and Omolalye (2016) observed 89 per cent yield loss in maize as a result of uncontrolled weed infestation.…”

Legume Crop Residue Management on Productivity of Succeeding Maize - An Overview

“…Highest cob length and maize yields were recorded with Eupatorium mulching (3.87 t ha -1 ) followed by soybean green manure incorporation insitu + one hand weeding (3.64 t ha -1 ) under rainfed organic farming system of maize production in sandy clay loam soils of mid hills of Meghalaya (Anup Das et al, 2016).…”

Effect of Mesotrione 40% SC on Weed Growth, Yield and Economics of Maize (Zea mays L.)

“…In organic farming, the weeds are managed by applying mulches, cultural, physical, mechanical and chemical methods as components of integrated weed management (IWM) that helps to promote crop yield [15]. Initial 6 weeks after sowing (WAS) are found very susceptible to weed infestation in maize, significantly decreasing final grain yield [16,17]. Therefore, weed must be properly managed to avoid economic losses in crop production.…”