EVALUATION OF DIFFERENT INTERCROPS FOR WEED MANAGEMENT AND ECONOMIC RETURNS IN MAIZE

A research was conducted to determine the effect of different intercrops in maize at New Developmental Farm, The University of Agriculture Peshawar in summer during 2011. The experiment consisted of completely randomize design having three replications. There were five treatments in each replication and each treatment comprised of four rows, 0.75m apart with plant to plant distance of 20 cm, 4m long. The treatment consisted of maize + sunflower, maize + okra, maize + cowpea, maize + cucumber and maize sole. The results showed that highest weed frequency was recorded for Cyperus rotundus (75.43 %) while lowest weed frequency was recorded for Convolvulus arvensis (4.31 %). Furthermore, highest fresh and dry weed biomass was recorded for maize sole while lowest was recorded for maize + cucumber. Similarly highest plant height was recorded for maize sole (195.93 cm); whereas, shorter plant height was recorded for maize + sunflower (156.17 cm). Highest biological yield was recorded for maize sole and lowest biological yield was recorded for maize + sunflower. Maximum LER was recorded for maize + okra (1.79) and minimum LER value was recorded for maize + sunflower (1.45). In conclusion the results of the experiment showed that intercropping is much more economical as compared to sole cropping of maize. Thus in light of the experimental results it is recommended to use okra or cucumber as intercrop instead of sole maize.