IMPACT OF PLANTING METHODS AND HERBICIDES ON WEED BIOMASS AND SOME AGRONOMIC TRAITS OF MAIZE

An experiment to study the impact of planting methods and herbicides on weed biomass and some agronomic traits of maize hybrid P-3025 was conducted at Agricultural Research Farm, NWFP Agricultural University, Peshawar during summer 2006. The crop was sown on April 22, 2006 in RCB design with split plot arrangement, replicated four times. The treatments included planting methods (Ridge, Broadcast Flat sowing) in main-plots and herbicides (pendimethalin @0.75, s-metolachlor @ 1.92 and 2,4-D @ 0.80 kg a.i ha-1) and a weedy check assigned to the sub-plots. Each sub plot measured 5x3 m2. The data were recorded on fresh and dry weed biomass (g m-2), plant height (cm), number of leaves plant-1, leaf area (cm2) and biological yield (t ha-1). For planting methods, significant differences were noted for fresh and dry weed biomass (g m2), plant height (cm), leaf area (cm2) and biological yield (t ha-1). For herbicides, significant differences were depicted for fresh and dry weed biomass (g m-2), plant height (cm), leaf area (cm2) and biological yield (t ha-1). For interaction, significant differences were deciphered for fresh weed biomass (g m-2), dry weed biomass (g m-2), plant height (cm), leaf area (cm2) and biological yield (t ha-1). Maximum plant height (209.43, 213.41 218.75 cm ), leaf area (346.79, 349 382.18 cm2) and biological yield (10.45, 10.68 13.03 t ha-1), while minimum values were observed for fresh weed biomass (265.68 g m2, 169.50 gm2 147.75 g m2) and dry weed biomass (53.13 g m2, 33.90 g m2 29.55 g m2) in Ridge planting, Dual gold 960 EC (s-metolachlor) and their interaction, respectively. Similarly, maximum values were recorded for fresh weed biomass (306.00 g m2, 414.08 g m2 443.75 g m2) and dry weed biomass (61.20 g m2, 82.81 g m2, 88.75 g m2) while, minimum values were obtained for plant height (192.68 cm, 180.58 cm2, 176.25 cm), and biological yield (6.87 t ha-1, 5.00 t ha-1 4.40 t ha-1) in broadcast sowing, weedy check and their interaction respectively.