Abstract:
Allelopathy is defined as both beneficial and harmful biochemical association between plants and weeds or plants and microorganisms through release of chemicals into the neighboring environment. Weeds infestation is one of the main causes of low crop yields per unit area against the potential yields. Weeds reduce yield up to 15-60% in maize. It is a natural phenomenon which has proved helpful in eradicating unwanted flora in the field crops. Many attempts have been made, over the years, to minimize chemical weed control which has come in handy for the purpose. In the current study, various allelopathic treatments were used as sole or combined application with chemical herbicide “atrazine”. The results showed that these treatments had a profound inhibiting effect on the fresh and dry weeds weight, weeds densities and weed control efficiency of T. portulacastrum, C. rotundus and E. colona, wherein 1000-grains weight and grain yield of maize with growth parameters were also enhanced. Among the treatments, sorghum mulch, sorgaab sprays (double and triple), combination of sorghum mulch and sorgaab and that of sorgaab and half dose of atrazine, all performed better than the control, however single spray of sorgaab didn’t prove effective in controlling weeds. Combination of sorgaab with half dose of atrazine was economically viable treatment as well. Therefore, it was concluded that the herbicide rate can be reduced to half if sorghum water extract is combined with it to control weeds in maize crop. Soil health is also improved by using sorghum mulch and sorgaab sprays.
Page(s):
244-244
DOI:
DOI not available
Published:
Journal: Abstract Book on Global Science Technology and Management Conference, Volume: 0, Issue: 0, Year: 2023
Keywords:
yield
,
maize
,
sorghum allelopathy
,
weedmamagement