EFFECT OF VARIOUS WEED MANAGEMENT PRACTICES ON GROWTH AND YIELD OF KHARIF SWEET CORN (Zea mays L. saccharata) UNDER ORGANIC PRODUCTION SYSTEM
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Date
2020
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Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Raipur (C.G.)
Abstract
Study entitled “Effect of various weed management practices on growth and yield of kharif sweet corn (Zea mays L. saccharata) under organic production system” was undertaken in kharif season 2019. The experiment was conducted at the Research cum Instructional Farm, Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Raipur (C.G.) to ascertain an acceptably suitable method for management of weeds in the sweet corn (Sugar-75) under organic production system
Whole research work was attempted under “Randomized Block Design” replicated thrice. The treatment involved nine weed management practices viz. W1- Hand weeding at 20 and 40 DAS, W2- One mechanical weeding at 20 DAS + one hand weeding at 40 DAS, W3 -Intercropping with black gram(1:1), W4- Stale seed bed + reduced spacing (up to 25%) + mulching with paddy straw + hand weeding at 20 DAS, W5- Locally available weed mulch (Lantana camera) + one hand pulling at 20 DAS, W6- Incorporation of neem cake 15 days before sowing, @ 5 tonnes ha-1+ hand weeding at 20 DAS, W7- Soil solarization with 25µ polythene mulch during summer + one hand weeding at 20 DAS, W8- Mulching with waste polythene bags (ITK- practices) and W9-Weedy check. The plot size was 5.40 m × 4.20m (22.68m2). The soil type of experimental unit was clayey in texture with a composition of low N, medium P and high K content.The pH value of soil was 7.22 which indicated that it was neutral in reaction. The sweet corn sowing was done on 15 July 2019 by dibbling maintaining spacing 60 × 20 cm except in stale seed bed + reduced spacing (up to 25%) + mulching with paddy straw + manual weeding at 20 DAS where the spacing was maintained at 45 × 20 cm. The recommended dose of 120:60:60 kg N:P2O5:K2O ha-1 was applied at sowing through organic sources i.e. FYM, vermicompost, rock phosphate.
The data on initial and final plant population was uniform. The highest plant population in stale seed bed + reduced spacing (up to 25%) + mulching with paddy straw + hand weeding at 20 DAS was due to reduced spacing practices. Different growth parameters of the crop (sweet corn) and crop growth rate were remarkably altered by various weed management practices. Stale seed bed + reduced spacing (up to 25%) + mulching with paddy straw + manual weed pulling at 20 DAS observed the higher value of growth parameters which were found to be at par with mulching with waste polythene bags (ITK-practices), hand weedings twice carried out at 20 and 40 DAS as well as soil solarization with 25µ polythene mulch during summer+ manual weed pulling at 20 DAS. The lowest values of these were marked growth parameter in weedy check
Different characters related to yield contributing parameters were also found to be significantly superior in stale seed bed + reduced spacing (up to 25%) + mulching with paddy straw + manual weeding at 20 DAS treatment which was found comparable with mulching of waste polythene bags (ITK-practices), manual weedings twice carried out at 20 and 40 DAS as well as soil solarization with 25µ polythene mulch during summer+ manual weed pulling at 20 DAS. The lowest yield attributing characters was recorded in weedy check. The lowest weed index (2.36%) was calculated in mulching with waste polythene bags(ITK -practices). Maximum reduction in yield to the tune of 83.49% was recorded in weedy check where no weed control measures were adopted followed by intercropping with black gram(1:1).
The observations recorded on weeds revealed that, out of the various weed management practices, the lowest density of weed and dry matter was noticed at different stages in stale seed bed + reduced spacing (up to 25%) + mulching with paddy straw followed by manual weed pulling at 20 DAS over all the treatments. However, mulching with waste polythene bags (ITK- practices), manual weedings at 20 and 40 DAS were next in order. The highest density of weeds and their dry matter was observed in weedy check followed by intercropping with black gram(1:1) .
During different crop growth stages viz. 0-20 DAS, 20-40 DAS, 40-60 DAS and 60- at harvest maximum weed growth rate was seen in weedy check and the minimum weed growth rate was viewed in stale seed bed + reduced spacing (upto 25%) + mulching with paddy straw + manual weed pulling at 20 DAS. On the other hand the maximum weed control efficiency was recorded in stale seed bed + reduced spacing (up to 25%) + mulching with paddy straw + manual weed pulling at 20 DAS treatment followed by mulching with waste polythene bags (ITK- practices), manual weedings twice and soil solarization with 25µ polythene mulch during summer + one manual weedings20 DAS and the lowest in weedy check.
As regards to monetary returns and cost of cultivation of different weed management options, it was found that the highest cost of cultivation was recorded incorporation of neem cake 15 days before sowing, @ 5 tonnes ha-1 + manual weeding at 20 DAS. However, stale seed bed + reduced spacing (upto 25%) + mulching with paddy straw + manual weedings at 20 DAS, soil solarization with 25µ polythene mulch during summer + one manual hand pulling at 20 DAS, mulching with waste polythene bags were next in order. The Lowest cost of cultivation was obtained in weedy check. The maximum gross income was obtained in stale seed bed + reduced spacing (upto 25%) + mulching with paddy straw + manual hand pulling at 20 DAS owing the highest green cob and stover yields than the other weed management practices, mulching with waste polythene bags (ITK- practices) was next in order which was followed by manual weedings at 20 and 40 DAS and soil solarization with 25µ polythene mulch during summer + one manual hand pulling at 20 DAS. While the lowest gross income was obtained in weedy check. Net income was highest in mulching with waste polythene bags (ITK- practices) and after that manual weedings twice carried out at 20 and 40 DAS and stale seed bed + reduced spacing (upto 25%) + mulching with paddy straw + manual weeding at 20 DAS. While the lowest net income was generated in weedy check. The highest benefit:cost ratio was obtained in hand weedings at 20 and 40 DAS followed by mulching with waste polythene bags(ITK-practices) and stale seed bed + reduced spacing (upto 25%) + mulching with paddy straw + manual hand weeding at 20 DAS. While the lowest B: C ratio was obtained in weedy check.