Abstract:
Studies were undertaken to determine the effect of some pre and post emergence herbicides on weed control and maize yield at Agricultural Research Institute, Tarnab during 2001 and 2002. In 2001, pre and post-emergence herbicides were tested in one trial and in 2002, pre and post-emergence herbicides were tested separately. In 2001, Sarhad white variety of maize was used as test variety and planted on July 14. Primextra 500 FW, Stomp 330-E, Jinong 38 SL, Merline extra as pre-emergence and Primextra 500 FW 2.5 and 1.0 were applied as post-emergence spray. In 2002, maize variety Azam was planted as test crop variety. In 2002, two trials, one pre and second as post-emergence were laid out. Pre-emergence treatments were Primextra gold 720 Sc. Dual gold 960 EC, Aatrax 90 WG. Atrazine 38 SC and Stomp 330 E. Post-emergence herbicides were Primextra 500 FW, Primextra gold 720 SC, Aatrax 90 WG, Atrazine 38 SC, Jinong 36 SL and 2,4-D. During both the years, pre and post-emergence herbicides reduced weed densities significantly over untreated control. Untreated control had a weed density of 189 weeds compared to 43 in the 2,4-D treated plot during 2001. In 2002, weed densities were 72 and 189 in the untreated and hand weeded plots in comparison with 27 and 39 the weed number in the Stomp 330-E and hand weeded plots respectively. 2,4D and Jinong 38 SL did not control grasses and were therefore less effective compared to Primextra 500 FW. Primextra gold 720 SC, Dual gold 960 EC and stomp 33-E. Cyperus rotundus was the most tolerant to all herbicides. Dual gold 960 EC and Primextra gold 720SC were the most effective herbicides reducing weed density and increasing maize yield. Primextra 500 FW, Primextra gold 720 SC, Dual gold 960 EC and Aatrax 90 WG treated plots produced maize grain yield of 3733, 3533, 4267 and 4000 kg ha-`, respectively compared to 2333 kg he-1 for untreated control plot. Cost/benefit ratio of most effective herbicides was 1 to 5, which clearly demonstrated that chemical control of weeds in maize is a very acceptable intervention, and could be easily adopted by the farmers.
Page(s):
39-46
DOI:
DOI not available
Published:
Journal: Pakistan Journal of Weed Science Research, Volume: 10, Issue: 1--2, Year: 2004