Weeding In Maize

INTRODUCTION Maize (Zea mays L.) is the second most important cereal crop in the world in terms of total food production. It is grown for fodder as well as for grain. The grains of maize are used in a variety of ways by the human beings. Recently, with the release of improved cultivars and hybrids, the grain yield has been increased but still the maize crop faces many problems. Weeds are one of the most important factors in maize production. They cause important yield losses worldwide with an average of 12.8% despite weed control applications and 29.2% in the case of no weed control (Oerke and Steiner, 1996). Therefore, weed control is an important management practice for maize production that should be carried out to ensure optimum grain

To know the optimum time of weeding in maize.

REVIEW OF LITERATURE Several experimental findings with regard to weed management in maize have been found. some previous findings on these directions are as such:

Triplett and Lytle (1972) have shown that maize may be grown with no tillage for 7 years or more with yields equal to those of the cultivated crop if weeds are controlled. They found that in Ohio, paraquat plus simazine gave the most consistent weed control.

Intercropping of maize and other cereals with low growing crops such as cowpea, mungbean, and other beans, sweet potato and melon (Colocynthis citrullus) is effective in smothering many weed (Bantilan et al.,1974; Moody, 1980; Akobundu,1980a; Wahau,1985).

In a similar study Akhtar et al. (1984) reported that maximum leaf area was recorded in manually weed-controlled plots at tasseling. These results are in agreement with Shakoor et al.(1986), who reported that dry biomass of weed from the weedy control plots was significantly greater than chemical and manual weeded plots.

Weed control in maize in Poland was reported problems such as resistant weeds, contamination of water supplies and the limitation of following crops.(Rola and

Herbicides applied before the corn emerges offer the advantage of controlling weeds before they compete with the corn when it is in the seedling stage; this is the most critical time in regard to yield reduction. Preplant herbicides such as EPTC (Eradicane), alachlor (Micro-Tech), or metolachlor (Dual Magnum) can be applied broadcast on flat ground and incorporated by discing before beds are formed and the corn is planted, or they can be applied in a band on preformed beds, then incorporated with a rolling cultivator or power