Effect of herbicides on nutrient uptake and yield of Kharif maize (Zea mays L.)

Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium uptake by maize was highest due to the application of Atrazine 0.75 kg a.i. ha⁻¹ pre-emergence (PE), followed by (fb) 2, 4-D 0.5 kg a.i. ha⁻¹ post emergence (PoE), which was comparable with hand weeding (20, 40 days after sowing, DAS). Atrazine 0.75 kg a.i. ha⁻¹ PE fb 2, 4-D 0.5 kg a.i. ha⁻¹ PoE recorded minimum uptake of N, P and K by weeds, which was alsocomparable with hand weeding (20, 40 DAS) and oxydiargyl 0.09 kg a.i. ha⁻¹ PE fb 2, 4-D 0.5 kg a.i. ha⁻¹ PoE. Weedy check removed significantly more N, P and K. Atrazine 0.75 kg a.i. ha⁻¹ PE fb 2,4-D 0.5 kg a.i. ha⁻¹ PoE improved growth and yield contributing characters of maize.