Integrated weed management in maize-based intercropping systems

Field experiments were conducted to study the effect of intercropping and integrated weed management practices on weeds experiment was conducted at Agricultural College and Research Institute, Madurai (Tamil Nadu) during winter 2013. The experiment was laid out in a split plot design and replicated thrice. The main plots were assigned with three cropping systems, viz. maize, maize + blackgram, maize + cowpea and six weed management practices, Application of pendimethalin at 0.75 kg/ha followed by one rotary hoeing on 35 DAS recorded the highest weed control efficiency (85.9) and reduced weed populations and weed dry matter production at 60 DAS. The maize + cowpea system resulted increased plant height, LAI and dry matter production of maize at 30, 60 and 90 DAS respectively. Application of pendimethalin at 0.75 kg/ha followed by one rotary hoeing on 35 DAS resulted in the highest grain and straw yield of maize 6.05 and 18.15 t/ha, respectively.