Weed Management in Zero-till Sown Maize

Field experiments were conducted during rabi 2005–06 and 2006–07 at the Regional Agricultural Research Station, Lam, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh to find out the most effective weed management practice in zero-till sown maize crop grown after rice. Uncontrolled weed growth throughout the crop growing period caused 43% reduction in grain yield. All the weed control treatments significantly reduced the weed growth and increased maize yield by 22 to 62% over weedy check without any crop injury. Highest maize grain yield was recorded with two hand weedings and pre-emergence application of atrazine 1.5 kg/ha followed by (fb) hand weeding at 30 days after sowing (DAS). Maize grain yield did not differ significantly among the treatments with hand weeding and herbicide integration. Highest gross and net monetary returns and benefit: cost ratio were recorded with two hand weedings and with pre-emergence application of atrazine 1.5 kg/ha followed by (fb) hand weeding at 30 DAS.