1Department of Agronomy, S.V. Agricultural College, Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, Tirupati-517 502, Andhra Pradesh, India.
2Department of Agronomy, Regional Agricultural Research Station, Tirupati-517 502, Andhra Pradesh, India.
3University Librarian, Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, Lam, Guntur-522 034, Andhra Pradesh, India.
*Corresponding Author: B. Sandhya Rani, Department of Agronomy, Regional Agricultural Research Station, Tirupati-517 502, Andhra Pradesh, India. Email: sandhya.reddy010@gmail.com
In India the highest yield loss (34%) is caused by weeds, followed by insects (29%), pathogens (22%), storage pests (7%) and others (8%). Weeds compete with the crop for both above and below ground resources. Weed infestation is a serious challenge for maize growers in our country. Maize is sensitive to weeds especially during early stages of development and thus weed infestation from germination to 45 DAS causes maximum reduction in yield. Herbicides are efficient tools for checking weed infestation and its usage is increasing throughout the globe due to increasing labour cost and quick weed control in various situations. Continuous non-judicious use of herbicides for weed management leads to loss of biodiversity, environmental pollution and also develops herbicide resistance in weeds. Weed persistence is more in organic farming due to the extensive usage of organic manures, which act as weed seed reservoirs.
Allelo chemicals, Maize, Mulch, Organics, Weed management
