Life Science Archives (LSA)

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1 Available online at Life Science Archives (LSA) ISSN: Volume 1; Issue - 5; Year 2015; Page: Research Article EFFECT OF WEED AND NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT ON PRODUCTIVITY AND PROFITABILITY ENHANCEMENT OF HYBRID MAIZE (Zea mays L.) S. Babu* Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, Annamalai University, Annamalai Nagar. Abstract Field investigation was carried out to study the effect of weed and nutrient management on productivity and profitability enhancement of hybrid maize at Experimental farm, Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, Annamalai University, Annamalai nagar, Tamilnadu, India during March June, The experiment was laid out in split plot design and replicated thrice with different treatment schedule viz., main treatment (Nutrient management), M 1-100% RDF alone (250:75:75 Kg of N, P 2 O 5 and K 2 O ha -1 ), M 2-100% RDF + Soil application of humic acid 85% ha -1, M 3-100% RDF + Soil application of micronutrient 20 Kg ha -1 and M 4-100% RDF + Soil application of micronutrient ha -1 + humic acid 85% Kg ha -1 taken for the experimentation. In addition to that superimposing of the sub treatments (weed management) viz., S 1 - Unweeded control, S 2 - Twice hand weeding at 25 and 45 DAS, S 3 - Pre-emergence application of Kg ai.ha -1 at 7 DAS alone, S 4 - Pre-emergence application of Kg ai.ha -1 at 7 DAS followed by one hand weeding at 45 DAS, and S 5 Pre-emergence application of 0.75 Kg ai.ha -1 at 7 DAS followed by post emergence application of 2,4 0.9 Kg ai.ha -1 at 45 DAS were allotted. Based on the result of field experiment, it could be inferred that the 100% RDF(250:75:75 Kg of N, P 2 O 5 and K 2 O ha -1 ) + Soil application of micronutrient 20 Kg ha -1 + humic acid 85% ha -1 along with Pre - emergence application of 0.75 Kg ai.ha -1 at 7 DAS followed by post emergence application of 2,4 - D@ 0.9Kg ai.ha -1 at 45 DAS is an economically viable and efficient nutrient and weed management practices for enhancement of hybrid maize productivity in Tamilnadu. Article History Received : Revised : Accepted : Introduction Maize (Zea mays L.) is one of the most important cereal crop grown all over the world. Maize is grown throught the world over a wide range of climatic conditions. Since the crop has a very high genetic yield potential, it is called as the miracle crop and also called as Queen of cereals (Dogan et al., 2004). * Corresponding author: Dr. S. Babu Key words: NPK, Pre emergence, Atrazine and Hand weeding. The combined effect of poor soil nutrient management along with weed infestation causes a serious limitation to decrease the agricultural production. Maximum crop productivity loss is caused by weeds and about 33 percent of the potential productivity is lost due to weed competition. Chemical weed control is better supplement to conventional method and forms an integral part of the modern crop production. It is quick, more effective,time and labour saving method than others (Saini and Angivar, 1998).

2 Babu/Life Science Archives (LSA), Volume 1, Issue 5, Page 365 to 370, Weed management practices of combining pre emergence herbicides followed by post emergence herbicides application may be suggested as an economical weed management practices in maize (Shanthiveerayya et al., 2014). Imbalance fertilization of plant nutrients resulted in the emergence of deficiency of phosphorous, potassium, sulphur, zinc, iron, boron, manganese and copper in the soil and plant on a large scale. Use of chemical fertilizer, humic acid and micronutrients has been found promising on arresting the dealing trend in soil health and productivity through the correction of marginal deficiencies of some secondary and micro nutrient, micro flora and fauna and their beneficial influence on physical and biological properties of soil. Integrated nutrient management system can begin about equilibrium between degenerative and restorative activities in the soil eco system (Upadhyay et al., 2011). The yield of the crop is low which could be increased with proper management of production factors. In fact none of the weed control methods and nutrient management is best under all conditions. So there is a need to make a comparative study of different weed management techniques along with different nutrient management practices in maize and to develop an suitable weed and nutrient management approach, which should be efficient, cost effective and environmentally safe. Keeping these facts in view, a comprehensive study was planned to study the following objectives. To study the effect of weed control methods viz., pre emergence herbicide, post emergence herbicide and hand weeding on weeds in maize. To study the effect of weed control treatments on the growth and yield of maize. To study the effect of nutrients on the NPK fertilizer, humic acid and micronutrients on the growth, yield component and yield of maize. To work out the economics and to evolve as economically viable in weed and nutrients management practices for maximization and income generation in hybrid maize. 2. Materials and Methods The experiment was conducted during March-June in 2014 in the field no. GL 6A of the garden land block of Annamalai University, Experimental farm. The experimental farm is located at 11 o 24 N Latitude and 79 o 44 E Longitude at a altitude of 5.79 m above mean sea level. The weather at Annamalai nagar is moderately warm with hot summer months. The maximum temperature ranges from 20.6 o C to 37.8 o C with a mean of 33.8 o C and the minimum temperature ranges from 20.8 o C to 27.3 o C with a mean of 23.8 o C. The relative humidity ranges from 88 to 72 per cent with a mean of 82 per cent. The mean hour of bright sunshine is 9.5. The mean annual rainfall received is 1500 mm. the soil of the experimental farm is classified as udic chromustert (clay) according to FAO/UNESCO (1974). The soil is deeply clay, low in available nitrogen, medium in available phosphorous and high in available potassium. The field experiment consisted of hybrid maize PHC 30V92, for a period of March June, The experiment was laid out in split plot design and replicated thrice with different treatment schedule viz., main treatment (Nutrient management), M 1-100% RDF alone (250:75:75 Kg of N, P 2 O 5 and K 2 O ha -1 ), M 2-100% RDF + Soil application of humic acid 85% ha -1, M 3-100% RDF + Soil application of micronutrient 20 Kg ha -1 and M 4-100% RDF + Soil application of micronutrient ha -1 + humic acid 85% Kg ha -1 taken for the experimentation. In addition to that superimposing of the sub treatments (weed management) viz., S 1 - Unweeded control, S 2 - Twice hand weeding at 25 and 45 DAS, S 3 - Preemergence application of Kg ai.ha -1 at 7 DAS alone, S 4 - Pre-emergence application of Kg ai.ha -1 at 7 DAS followed by one hand weeding at 45 DAS, and S 5 Pre-emergence application of 0.75 Kg ai.ha -1 at 7 DAS followed by post emergence

3 Babu/Life Science Archives (LSA), Volume 1, Issue 5, Page 365 to 370, application of 2,4 0.9 Kg ai.ha -1 at 45 DAS were allotted. Biometric observations on weed count, weed dry weight, weed control efficiency at 30, 60, and 90DAS were recorded. Observations on growth components of maize viz., Plant height, LAI and DMP yield components like cob length, cob diameter, grain number per cob, Test weight, no of grains cob -1, grain weight cob -1 were recorded. Yield parameters of grain and stover yield from each net plot was recorded and expressed in Kg ha -1. Chemical analysis of crop and weed samples for nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium content was carried out for the computation of nutrient uptake by crops and nutrient removed by weeds. The values were expressed in Kg ha -1. The expenditure incurred from sowing to harvest was worked out as cost of cultivation and expressed as Rs ha -1. Total income obtained from grain stover yield was calculated for individual treatments. Gross and net returns were worked out and presented. The observations collected during the experiments in respect of crop and weeds statistically analysed using the procedure outlined by Panse and Sukhantme(1978). WCI values were transformed by angular transformation and that of the weeds counts by the formula x before statistical analysis for significant results, the critical difference was worked out at 5 per cent probability level to draw statistical conclusions. 3. Results and Discussion Irrespective of treatment combination, M 1 100% RDF + soil application of micronutrient 20 Kg ha -1 + Humic acid 85% Kg -1 registered higher values of growth components viz., Plant height, LAI, DMP with the exception of 100 grain weight. Other yield attributes viz., number of cobs m -2 and number of grains cob -1 were significantly influenced by the treatment in nutrient practices. Regarding weed management treatment on S 5 Pre-emergence application of 0.75 kg ai ha -1 at 7DAS followed by Post-emergence application of 2,4-D at 0.9 kg ai ha -1 at 45DAS, reduction in the population of all the predominant weeds accompanied by least weeds dry matter production. Highest weed control efficiency and least nutrient depleation by weeds in the experiment- S 5. This treatment was followed by S 2 - Twice hand weeding at 25 and 45 DAS and S 4 - Pre-emergence application of Atrazine at 0.75kg ai ha -1 at 7 DAS followed by one hand weeding at 45DAS they were at on par with each other. The least was recorded the treatment S 1 unweeded control. Regarding the interactions, M 4 S 5 100% RDF (250:75:75 kg of N, P and K 2 O ha -1 ) + soil application of micro nutrient 20kg ha -1 + humic acid 85% 10kg ha -1 along with the Pre- emergence application of 0.75 kg ai ha -1 at 7 DAS followed by Post emergence application of 0.9 kg ai ha -1 at 45 DAS exceeded all other combinations. This could be due to the highest LAI to efficient weed control extending upto the end of crops reproductive phase. This could have resulted in higher post flowering photosynthesis and assimilate partitioning to the source, ultimately contributing to production of filled grains cob -1. The results are in consonance with reports of Chela and Gill (1980). Yield attributes viz., number of cobs m -2 and number of grains cob -1 were also found remarkably increased through M 4 S 5 100% RDF (250:75:75 kg of N, P and K 2 O ha -1 ) + soil application of micro nutrient 20kg ha -1 + humic acid 85% 10kg ha -1 along with the Pre- emergence application of 0.75 kg ai ha -1 at 7 DAS followed by Post emergence application of 0.9 kg ai ha -1 at 45 DAS exceeded all other combinations. It might be due to better control of weeds from its germination phase to entire crop growth stages. Also provided favourable nutro physiological environment for recording higher yield attributes of maize against unweeded control which, obviously experienced. Severe weed competition from germination phase to all the crop growth stages. Similar reduction of cob length and girth, number of grains cob -1 and grain weight cob -1 were reported by Saini and Angiras (1998).

4 Babu/Life Science Archives (LSA), Volume 1, Issue 5, Page 365 to 370, Based on the results of field experiment, it is inferred that the M 4 S 5 100% RDF (250:75:75 kg of N, P and K 2 O ha -1 ) + soil application of micro nutrient 20kg ha -1 + humic acid 85% 10kg ha -1 along with the Preemergence application of 0.75 kg ai at 7 DAS followed by Post emergence application of 0.9 kg ai ha -1 at 45 DAS is economically viable, efficiently suitable weed and nutrient management practices for hybrid maize growers in Tamilnadu. ha -1 Table 1: Effect of weed and nutrient management on weed control efficiency at 90 DAS (%) of hybrid maize. Sub plot Main plot M 1 M 2 M 3 M 4 Mean S S S S S Mean

5 Babu/Life Science Archives (LSA), Volume 1, Issue 5, Page 365 to 370, Table 2: Effect of weed and nutrient management on LAI, DMP, Grain Yield and Stover Yield at harvesting stage hybrid maize Sub Me M plot 1 M 2 M 3 M 4 an S S S S S Me an Main plot treatment LAI DMP (kg ha -1 ) Grain yield (kg ha -1 ) Stover yield (kg ha -1 ) Mea M 1 M 2 M 3 M 4 Mean M 1 M 2 M 3 M 4 n M 1 M 2 M 3 M 4 Mean S.E d CD (P=0.05) S.E d CD (P=0.05) S.E d CD (P=0.05) S.E d CD (P=0.05) Main Sub M x S S x m

6 Babu/Life Science Archives (LSA), Volume 1, Issue 5, Page 365 to 370, Table 3: Effect of weed and nutrient management on economics of hybrid maize Treatments Cost of cultivation (Rs.ha -1 ) Gross income (Rs. ha -1 ) Net return (Rs. ha -1 ) Return rupee -1 (Rs. ha -1 ) M 1 S M 1 S M 1 S M 1 S M 1 S M 2 S M 2 S M 2 S M 2 S M 2 S M 3 S M 3 S M 3 S M 3 S M 3 S M 4 S M 4 S M 4 S M 4 S M 4 S conditions of Himachal Pradesh. Indian J. Weed Sci., 30 (1/2): ) Shantiveerayya, Hawaldar, & C.A. Agasimani Effect of herbicides on weed control and productivity of maize (Zea mays L.). Karnataka J. Agric. Sci, 25 (1), ) Upadhyay, V.B., V. Jain, V. Vishwakarama and A.K. Kumha Production potential, soil health, water productivity and economics of rice (Oryza sativa L.) based cropping systems under different nutrient sources. Indian J. Agron., 56 (4): References 1) Chela, G.S and H.S.Gill Chemical control of echinochloa crus-galli in transplanted rice (oryza sativa L.). Indian J. Weed Sci., 12: ) Dogan, M.N., A. Unay, O. Boz and F. Albay Determination of optimum weeds control timing in maize (zea mays L.). Turkey J. Agron., 28: ) FAO/UNESCO Soil Map of the world 1, lesend sheet memories. Food and Agriculture Organization, Paris, P.59. 4) Panse, V.G. and P.V. Sukhatme Statistical methods for agricultural workers, ICAR New Delhi, India. p ) Saini, J. P. and N.N. Angiras Efficacy of herbicides alone and mixtures to control weeds in maize under mid-hill