EFFECT OF FORMASULFURON + ISOXADIFEN-ETHYL IN COMBINATION WITH UREA FOR WEED CONTROL IN MAIZE (ZEA MAYS L.)

A field experiment was conducted at Faisalabad, Pakistan to study the effects of formasulfuron + isoxadifen-ethyl applied alone and in combination with urea on weeds and yield of spring (March-May) and autumn (August-October) planted maize (Zea mays L.). Six treatments comprised of control, manual hoeing, formasulfuron + isoxadifen-ethyl @ 1125 g and 1125 g a.i. ha^-1 + 1% urea, 1125 g a.i. ha^-1 + 2% urea and 1125 g a.i. ha^-1 + 3% urea solution sprayed as post-emergence. Manual hoeing, and formasulfuron + isoxadifen-ethyl @1125 g a.i. ha^-1 combined with 3% urea were most effective treatments for controlling Cyperus rotundus, Achyranthus aspera and Trianthema portulacastrum. Maximum weed control efficiency with formasulfuron + isoxadifen-ethyl @1125 g a.i. ha^-1 combined with 3% urea was 87.00% for C. rotundus, 75.19% for A. aspera in spring maize. It was 82.05% for C. rotundus and 89.97% for T. portulacastrum in autumn maize. Maize yield from formasulfuron + isoxadifen-ethyl @1125 g a.i. ha^-1 + 3% urea treated plots was 56% higher in spring and 68% higher in autumn than those from control and was comparable to that of manual weeding. Maximum loss in grain yield due to un-weeded control plots in spring and autumn maize was 44 and 41%, respectively.