Influence of plant population and weed management on weed flora and productivity of sweet com (Zea mays) Arvadiya L.K.1, Professor, Raj V.C.1, Professor, Patel T.U.*, Research Associate, Arvadla M.K.2, Professor N.M. College ofAgriculture, Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari, Gujarat 396 450 lAgronomy, ASPEE College, Horticulture Forestry 2Agronomy, NAU, Navsari, Gujarat *CorrespondiDg author Email: tushagri.ank@gmail.com
Online published on 6 July, 2012. Abstract A field experiment was conducted at Navsari on a heavy black soil during rabi seasons of 2007–08 and 200809 to find out the effect of 3 plant populations, (1,11,111, 83,333 and 74,074 plantsiha) and 8 weed control strategies (Weedy check, weed free check, Atrazine @ 1 kglha as pre-emergence, Atrazine @ 1 kglha as pre-emergence + HW at 40 DAS, Pendimethalin 1 kg/ha as pre-emergence, Pendimethalin 1 kglha as pre-emergence + HW at 40 DAS, Atrazine @ 0.50 kglha + Pendimethalin 0.25 kg/ha as pre-emergence and hand weeding at 20 DAS + Inter culture at 40 DAS) on weed flora and productivity of sweet corn (Zea mays L. Saccharata). The predominant weed flora were Eehinoehloa erusgalli L. and Cynodon daely/on L. among monocol; Cyperus rotundus L. among sedges; and Amaranthus viridis L., Digera arvensis L., Portulaca oleracea L., Altementhara sessili L. and Trianthama ssp. among dico!. Significantly lowest weed population and dry weight of weeds was recorded with a plant population of 1,11,111 plants/ha. Significantly higher green cob (9.46 l/ha) and green fodder (14.86 Vha) yield with net returns of  75,779/ha and benefit: cost ratio of 5.36 was produced with a plant population of 1,11,111 plantsiha and remained at par with plant population of 83,333 planVha. The lowest dry weight of weeds 83.47 kg/ha and weed control efficiency at harvest (90.58 "/0), were recorded in weed free check which produced, the highest yield of green cob (10.66 Vha) and fodder (17.10 l/ha). Application of Atrazine 1 kg/ha + hand weeding at 40 days after sowing was remunerative in sweet corn as it given the higher net return (88,8731ha) and benefit: cost ratio (6.72). Top Keywords Atrazine, Pendimethalin, Plant population, Sweet com, Weed control efficiency, Weed management. Top |