Effect of planting methods, hybrids and weed management on weeds and productivity of rainy season maize

A field experiment was conducted at Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, Regional Research Station, Karnal during rainy season (Kharif) 2015. Two planting methods, viz. zero tillage and raised beds each with and without residues were evaluated with three maize hybrids (HQPM-1, HM-4 and HM-10) and two weed management treatments viz. pre-emrgence application (PE) of atrazine 750 g/ha followed by (fb) hand weeding (HW) at 30 days after seeding (DAS) and unweeded check, in a split plot design. Dactyloctenium aegyptium, Brachiaria reptans, Eragrostis tenella, Portulaca oleracea, Ammania baccifera and Cyperus rotundus along with some other broad-leaved weeds (BLW) predominated the experimental field. Zero tillage with residues and atrazine 750 g/ha PE fb 1 HW at 30 DAS recorded the lowest density and biomass of weeds, at 20 and 40 DAS, greater number of grains/cob, grain yield and net returns. However, the benefit- cost ratio (B:C) was maximum with zero tillage without residue. Lower weed density was observed with maize hybrid HM-10 and HM-4 as compared to HQPM-1. The minimum biomass of BLW, maximum number of grains/cob, grain yield, net returns and B:C were observed with hybrid HM-4, while the minimum biomass of grassy weeds and sedges was with HM-10.