Maize establishment methods and weed management effect on weeds, maize productivity and economics

A field experiment was conducted during rainy (Kharif) season of 2019 at N.E.B. Crop Research Centre of GBPUA&T, Pantnagar with an objective to identify the best establishment method and weed management treatment for maize to attain higher maize growth, yield and economic returns. The experiment was conducted in split-plot design with three replications comprising of three establishment methods as main plot factor and seven weed management treatments as sub-plot factor, replicated thrice. Among the establishment methods, raised bed system was found most effective in reducing weed growth. The highest weed control efficiency of 85.7% was recorded with pre-emergence application (PE) of atrazine 1000 g/ha fb post-emergence application (PoE) of tembotrione 120 g/ha which was followed by rice straw mulch 5 t/ha fb tembotrione 120 g/ha PoE and tembotrione 120 g/ha PoE alone. Raised bed system resulted in 8.0% higher maize grain yield over zero till system and highest net return and B:C ratio. Among the weed management treatments, highest maize grain yield, net return and B:C ratio were recorded with atrazine 1000 g/ha PE fb tembotrione 120 g/ha PoE.