Efficiency of Plant Population and Reduced Rate on Maize Productivity and associated Weeds
Abstract: Two field experiments were conducted during the summer seasons of 2010 and 2011 at the Experimental Farm at Kfar El-Khawazim, Talkha district, Dakahlia Governorate, Egypt to study the performance of maize plants and associated weeds to four plant population (20000, 25000, 30000 and 35000 plants/fed) and eight weed management treatments (Acetochlor at 75% of recommended rate, Acetochlor at 750 cm3/fed (recommended rate), Fluroxypyr at 75% of recommended rate, Fluroxypyr at 200 cm3/fed (recommended rate), Bentazon at 75% of recommended rate, Bentazon at 750 cm3/fed (recommended rate), two hoeing and un-weeded check). The results showed that there was a significant reduction in number and dry weight of broadleaved, grass and total weeds at 10 weeks after sowing (WAS) with the increase of plant population. Narrowing the spacing between maize plants from 30 cm to 17 cm caused a significant reduction (21%) in the total weed dry weight. Fluroxypyr was more effective than the other treatments against the broadleaved weeds, while hoeing treatment was more efficient in reducing the number and dry weight of grass. Insignificant differences in weed numbers and weight were recorded when using the reduced herbicide rate compared to the recommended rate. There was a significant interaction between plant population and weed control treatments on the dry weight of broadleaved, grass and total weeds/m2 after 10 WAS. Planting maize at 35000 plants/fed gave the lowest total dry weight of weeds when Acetochlor herbicide at the rate of 750 cm3/fed was applied. Sowing maize at 20000 plants/fed (4.76 plants m2) recorded and the greatest grain yield resulted from sowing maize at 30000 plants/fed (7.14 plants m2). Uncontrolling weeds caused a significant reduction in the grain yield by 29.7% compared to hoeing treatment. Acetochlor at 750 cm3/fed, hand hoeing produced the greatest grain yield surpassed the unweeded check by 42.9 and 42.3%, respectively. The results also indicated that the differences among Acetochlor at the full or reduced rates and the two hand hoeing were insignificant in their effect on maize grain yield. Protein and oil percent in maize grains were decreased by 8.0 and 9.2% due to the weed interference. It could be concluded that sowing maize at 30000 plants/feddan (7.14 plants m2) and controlling weeds mechanically by hoeing or chemically using Acetochlor herbicide at the recommended rate produce the greatest grain yield.
URL
Publication year 2002
Pages 2342-2349
Organization Name
serial title Journal of Applied Sciences Research
Author(s) from ARC
External authors (outside ARC)
    إبراهيم محمد المتولي قسم النبات – المركز القومي للبحوث – الجيزة - مصر
    مصطفى السيد عبد السلام بحوث المحاصيل الحقلية – المركز القومي للبحوث- الجيزة- مصر
Agris Categories Weeds and weed control
AGROVOC
TERMS		 Maize. Plant population. Weed control.
Proposed Agrovoc MAIZE PRODUCTIVITY;
Publication Type Journal
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