IMPACT OF INTEGRATED WEED MANAGEMENT ON WEEDS AND YIELD OF MAIZE

A field study was conducted at Agricultural Research Farm, NWFP Agricultural University Peshawar during summer 2006 to evaluate integrated weed management in maize, variety “Azam”. Randomized complete block design, having three replications was used in the experiment. The treatments were; 1) Stomp (pendimethalin) 330 EC + high population (90,000 plants ha-1), 2) Stomp + medium population (60,000 plants ha-1), 3) Stomp + low population (30,000 plants ha-1), 4) Stomp + weeding 4 weeks after sowing (WAS) + high population, 5) Stomp + weeding 6 weeks after sowing (WAS) + medium population, 6) Stomp + 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) control + high population, 11) control + medium population and 12) control + low population. The major weeds infesting the experimental field were Cyperus rotundus, Sorghum halepense, Echinochloa crusgalli, Digitaria sanguinalis, Portulaca oleracea and Digera muricata. Analysis of the data showed that higher crop density greatly suppressed weeds and their dry biomass. However Stomp proved to be the best in controlling weeds. In Stomp treated plots, maximum light was intercepted by the crop plants which indicate the vigour of the crop plants. Maximum grain yield (3.613 t ha-1) was recorded in Stomp + medium population + weeding 6 WAS while minimum grain yield (2.430 t ha-1) was recorded in control + low population. Increasing weed control, significantly increased the grain yield and other yield related traits of maize. However combination of high crop population, hand weeding and Stomp proved more effective against weeds and favoured crop. Stomp was not effective against C. rotundus therefore hand weeding in combination with Stomp application is recommended for getting higher maize yield.