Effect of different herbicides combination on weed flora, yield and economics of maize (Zea mays L.)

A field experiment was conducted in maize during kharif season 2014 and 2015 on sandy loam soil at Crop Research Centre, Chirori of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture & Technology, Meerut (U.P.), to evaluate the various herbicides combination on weed flora, yield and economics of kharif maize (Zea mays L.). The experiment was conducted in R.B.D with three replications comprising twelve (Alachlor @ 0.5 and 1.0 kg a. i. ha-1, Atrazine @ 1.0 kg a. i. ha-1, Metribuzin @ 350 kg a.i. ha- 1 PE and 0.250 kg a.i. ha- 1 PoE, Pendimethalin @ 1.0 kg a. i. ha-1, Alachlor + Metribuzin @ 0.750+0.175 PE kg a.i. ha- 1, Atrazine + Pendimethalin @ 0.500+0. 500 kg a.i. ha-1 PE, Atrazine+2, 4-D @ 0.500 + 500 kg a. i. ha-1, Sesbania (BC) @ 20 kg ha-1+2, 4-D @ 500 g a. i. ha-1), weedy and two hand weeding at 20& 40 DAS. The results indicated that chemical methods of weed control significantly reduced the weed population and their dry weight effectively over weedy check. The maximum number of grains cob-1, weed control efficiency, highest grain yield (49.8 q ha-1) and were recorded with the application of Atrazine+Pendimethalin @ 0.500+0.500 kg a. i. ha-1 and established its superiority over rest of the herbicides. Similarly, this treatment also resulted into higher gross return and net return. These values were very close to two hand weeding at 20 & 40 DAS treatment. The per cent increase in grains and stover yield was to the tune of 100.80 and 48.66 as compared to weedy check.