Effects of sequential and combined application of tank-mix herbicides on weed growth and productivity of maize (Zea mays)

Abstract

The field experiment was conducted at G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, Uttarakhand during kharif season 2021–22 to evaluate the effects of tank-mix herbicides on weeds and maize (Zea mays L.) in order to determine the optimum dosage, application time and combinations of herbicides for maize. Based on the findings, it could be concluded that weed-free conditions are just as effective as atrazine applied with tembotrione or topramezone through sequential or tank mix application for reducing weeds effectively and increasing grain yield. Tank mix treatments of topramezone (25.2 g a.i./ha) and tembotrione (120 g a.i./ha) with reduced dose of atrazine (0.75 kg a.i./ha) should be employed by farmers since it not only removes weeds effectively but, also offers a better environment for maize to grow providing high profits for farmers. It also lowers the dose and expenses involved in manual weeding and spraying atrazine separately.

Keywords

• Maize, Tembotrione, Topramezone, Weed control efficiency, Weed index