EVALUATION OF INTEGRATED WEED MANAGEMENT PRACTICES FOR MAIZE

An experiment was conducted at Agricultural Research Farm, NWFP Agricultural University Peshawar during summer 2006 to evaluate integrated weed management for maize. Randomized complete block design, having three replications was used in the experiment. The treatments included 1) pendimethaline (Stomp 330 E + high population (90,000 plants ha-1), 2) pendimethaline + medium population (60,000 plants ha-1), 3) Stomp 330E + low population (30,000 plants ha-1), 4) pendimethaline + weeding 4 weeks after sowing (WAS) + high population, 5) pendimethaline + weeding 6 weeks after sowing (WAS) + medium population, 6) pendimethaline + weeding 8 weeks after sowing (WAS) + low population, 7) weeding 4 weeks after sowing (WAS) + high population, 8) weeding 6 weeks after sowing (WAS) + medium population, 9) weeding 8 weeks after sowing (WAS) + low population, 10) weedy check + high population, 11) weedy check + medium population and 12) weedy check + low population. Statistical analysis of the data showed that weed density as well as yield related traits of maize were significantly affected by different treatments. In general weed control methods suppressed the weeds and increased the yield and yield related traits. However, pendimethaline was most effective in combination with hand weeding. CBR indicated that application of pendimethaline and sowing at the rate of 60,000 plants ha-1 is the best option for the farmers.