Integration of Sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Conard Moench.], Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) and Parthenium (Parthenium hysterophorus L.) Allelopathy for Weed Management in Maize under different Tillage Regimes.
Integration of Sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Conard Moench.], Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) and Parthenium (Parthenium hysterophorus L.) Allelopathy for Weed Management in Maize under different Tillage Regimes.
Haroon Ur Rashid1*, Nazia Tahir2, Muhammad Zamin3, Naveed Shehzad4, Aman Ullah2, Bibi Zainub5 and Farooq Azam6
ABSTRACT
Weed infestation is considered a significant yield reducing factor in maize yield around the world as well as in the south Asia. Integrated weed management (IWM) is recommended to reduce our reliance on synthetic herbicides and sustainable maize production. In this study, different tillage regimes and various allelopathic treatments were integrated for weed management in spring planted maize at Agricultural Research Station, Swabi (KP), Pakistan during spring both years 2014 and 2015. The experiment was laid out at silt loam soil in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with a split plot arrangement having three (03) replications. Different tillage regimes namely minimum, conventional, and deep tillage regimes were assigned to main plots (Factor A) and various allelopathic plants [Sorghum {Sorghum bicolor (L.) Conard Moench.}, Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) and Parthenium (Parthenium hysterophorus L.)] residues as surface mulches and their water extracts integrated @ 15L each +atrazine @ 0.125 kg a.i ha-1(1/4th of the recommended dose) was assigned to sub plots (Factor B). Data were recorded and analyzed for dry biomass (g) of total weeds 60 DAS, leaf area (cm2), leaf area Index (%) and Stover yield (Kg.ha-1). Integration of tillage regimes and various allelopathic treatments had significant effect on tested parameters. However, the efficacy of surface mulches was more pronounced than atrazine foliar application @ 0.50 kg a.i ha-1 and allelopathic plants water extracts combined with atrazine @ 0.125 kg a.i ha-1. Data obtained for the interaction effect (tillage x weed control treatments) showed that maximum stover yield of 12426 kg.ha-1 was recorded in sorghum +sunflower + parthenium (S.M) each @ 6 Mg ha-1 at 3-4 leaf stage of maize under conventional tillage regime. Hence it could be considered as an alternative to atrazine @ 0.50 kg a.i ha-1 (recommended dose) for weed management in spring planted maize. However, further studies are suggested to investigate the phytotoxic effect of these plants’ residues on soil microbial activities.
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