Brown manuring optimization in maize: impacts on weeds, crop productivity and profitability

2019 ◽  
Vol 157 (7-8) ◽  
pp. 599-610
Author(s):  
T. K. Das ◽  
S. Ghosh ◽  
C. P. Nath

AbstractField experiments were carried out in order to investigate if brown manuring (BM) using Sesbania plants can be used to control weeds in maize, especially Cyperus rotundus (Experiment I), and further to optimize the BM technology through appropriate Sesbania seed rate (S), 2,4-D application time (T) and dose (D) (Experiment II). Each BM treatment received a pre-emergence application of pendimethalin 1.0 kg a.i./ha. Experiment I showed that the BM practice using 15 kg/ha Sesbania seed and 2,4-D 0.50 kg a.i./ha applied at 25 DAS led to better control of weeds, especially C. rotundus and higher maize grain yield. Further optimization studies (Experiment II) indicated that among the factors S, T and D, the BM combination S~25 kg/ha, D~0.50 kg a.i./ha and T~25 DAS (i.e. S25T25D0.50) resulted in lowest weed density (3.1/m2) and dry weight (3.8 g/m2) and highest weed control index (89.2%) at 60 days after sowing (DAS) which was at par with another BM practice S15T25D0.50. However, the later BM combination led to significantly higher maize productivity (5.25 t/ha) and profitability (net returns (NR) $878/ha), which were 103 and 280% higher, respectively, than the weedy check (WC). The Sesbania seed rate S~15 kg/ha gave 7% higher maize grain yield and 12% higher NR than its corresponding level S~25 kg/ha. Therefore, Sesbania BM with 15 kg seeds/ha and 2,4-D at 0.50 kg a.i/ha applied at 25 DAS can be recommended for effective and eco-friendly weed management in maize, which would provide higher maize grain yield and enhance farmers' profitability.

Molecules ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (21) ◽  
pp. 4924
Author(s):  
Dibakar Ghosh ◽  
Koushik Brahmachari ◽  
Milan Skalicky ◽  
Akbar Hossain ◽  
Sukamal Sarkar ◽  
...  

Declining rate of productivity and environmental sustainability is forcing growers to use organic manures as a source of nutrient supplement in maize farming. However, weed is a major constraint to maize production. A field study was carried out over two seasons to evaluate various integrated nutrient and weed management practices in hybrid maize. The treatment combinations comprised of supplementation of inorganic fertilizer (25% nitrogen) through bulky (Farmyard manure and vermicompost) and concentrated (Brassicaceous seed meal (BSM) and neem cake (NC)) organic manures and different mode of weed management practices like chemical (atrazine 1000 g ha−1) and integrated approach (atrazine 1000 g ha−1 followed by mechanical weeding). Repeated supplementation of nitrogen through concentrated organic manures reduced the density and biomass accumulation of most dominant weed species, Anagalis arvensis by releasing allelochemicals into the soil. But organic manures had no significant impact on restricting the growth of bold seeded weeds like Vicia hirsuta and weed propagated through tubers i.e., Cyperus rotundus in maize. By restricting the weed growth and nutrient removal by most dominating weeds, application of BSM enhanced the growth and yield of maize crop. Repeated addition of organic manures (BSM) enhanced the maize grain yield by 19% over sole chemical fertilizer in the second year of study. Application of atrazine as pre-emergence (PRE) herbicide significantly reduced the density of A. arvensis, whereas integration of mechanical weeding following herbicide controlled those weeds which were not usually controlled with the application of atrazine. As a result, atrazine at PRE followed by mechanical weeding produced the highest maize grain yield 6.81 and 7.10 t/ha in the first year and second year of study, respectively.


1999 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 201-208 ◽  
Author(s):  
Udensi E. Udensi ◽  
I. Okezie Akobundu ◽  
Albert O. Ayeni ◽  
David Chikoye

Field experiments were conducted in 1992 to 1993 and in 1995 to 1996 in Ibadan, Nigeria, to assess the effect of velvetbean and herbicides on maize (corn) and cogongrass growth and to assess regrowth of the weed 1 yr after treatment. In 1992 and 1995 cover cropping with velvetbean and imazapyr and glyphosate application reduced cogongrass density as much as the handweeded control. The smothering effect of velvetbean was equivalent to that of glyphosate at 1.8 kg/ha but was less than imazapyr even at the lowest rate of 0.5 kg/ha. Addition of adjuvant did not improve the efficacy of either herbicide. Maize grain yield was higher in velvetbean plots than in fallow plots dominated by cogongrass. Velvetbean and herbicide effects on cogongrass 1 yr later (1993 and 1996) followed a similar trend as observed in the year of application. Annual weed density was highest in glyphosate plots, followed by imazapyr, and least in plots previously seeded to velvetbean. Maize grain yield was higher in herbicide plots (average yield of 3,170 and 1,920 kg/ha in 1993 and 1996, respectively) than in velvetbean plots (2,800 to 1,180 kg/ha in 1993 and 1996, respectively) and handweeded plots (2,890 and 723 kg/ha in 1993 and 1996, respectively). In 1996 the lowest maize yield was in handweeded plots without velvetbean, suggesting that weeding four times suppressed cogongrass density and biomass, but was not sufficient to minimize the subsequent competition from annual weeds. Uncontrolled cogongrass reduced maize yield to zero. These studies suggest that planting velvetbean for cogongrass control may be a better alternative for farmers without the resources to purchase herbicides.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Milomirka Madic ◽  
◽  
Dalibor Tomic ◽  
Aleksandar Paunovic ◽  
Vladeta Stevovic ◽  
...  

Field experiments with 11 native maize hybrids for grain production FAO maturity group 400-600 were set up over two years at two sites (near the villages of Brzan and Lužnice, Kragujevac municipality) with the aim of, based on the yield over years, recommending hybrids for specific agroecological conditions. The average maize grain yield for all hybrids in 2017 was 4.2 t ha-1, and in 2018 11.1 t ha-1. Hybrids ZP 548 and NS 5051 had the highest average grain yield in 2017, and in 2018 ZP 560 and NS 4051. Higher yields in 2018 are mainly the result of a larger amount and a more favorable distribution of precipitation in the vegetation period. In both years, which differed in agrometeorological conditions during the vegetation period, especially in the amount and distribution of precipitation in the second part of the vegetation, in which the critical phases of maize development take place, the highest yields were recorded mainly in FAO 500 hybrids.


2014 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 89-93 ◽  
Author(s):  
B Ita ◽  
E Ariga ◽  
R Michieka ◽  
W Muiru

Weed management practices used by small scale farmers determine maize productivity. The trials were executed in Kigumo district during the long and short rains in 2010 to compare effectiveness of glyphosate and hand weeding on weed management in maize (Zea mays L.). Treatments were arranged in a Completely Randomized Complete Block Design replicated three times in a split plot arrangement. The main plots were two maize varieties DUMA SC 41 and DK 8031 and the subplots three weed management practices,(glyphosate, hand weeding and no tillage). Data collected included weed count by species,fresh and dry weed biomass and maize grain yield. Data was subjected to ANOVA using Genstat computer software package at P<0.05. Treatments means were separated by Student-Newman Keuls Test. Results revealed that there were significant differences in weed count among weed management practices (P < 0.05). Weeds, significantly established faster under hand weeding than other weed management practices. There were no significant differences among weed management practices in biomass and maize grain yield (P < 0.05). The two maize varieties significantly differed in grain yield under different weed management practices, DK 8031 under glyphosate had the highest yield among the tillage practices involved.


2018 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 253-261
Author(s):  
S Ferdousi ◽  
MR Uddin ◽  
M Begum ◽  
UK Sarker ◽  
MN Hossain ◽  
...  

Allelopathic potentiality of crop residues may be helpful to minimize the serious problems in the present agricultural production such as environmental pollution, unsafe products, human health concerns, depletion of crop diversity, soil sickness and reduction of crop productivity. In this phenomenon an experiment was conducted at the Agronomy Field Laboratory, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh during June to November, 2015 to evaluate the effect of crop residues of wheat on weed management and crop performance of T. Aman rice. The experiment consisted of three varieties (cv. BRRI dhan32, BRRI dhan33 and BRRI dhan49) and five different treatments (viz. no crop residues, wheat crop residues @ 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 t ha-1). The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Five weed species belonging to three families infested the experimental plots. Weed population, weed dry weight and percent inhibition of weed were significantly influenced by wheat crop residues and cultivar. The maximum weed growth was noticed where no crop residues was incorporated and the minimum was found where @ 2.0 tha-1 wheat crop residues was incorporated. The grain yield as well as the other yield contributing characters produced in BRRI dhan49 was the highest among the studied varieties. The highest percent inhibition of 75.32, 58.24, 72.60, 57.45 and 82.24 was in Shama, Panishapla, Pani chaise, Panikachu and Susnishak, respectively which was caused by the application of wheat crop residues @ 2 t ha-1. The highest loss of grain yield was obtained where no crop residues were incorporated. The highest numbers of tillers hill-1, numbers of grains panicle-1, 1000-grain weight, grain yield, straw yield were observed where wheat crop residues were incorporated @ 2.0 t ha-1. The results of this study indicate that different amount of wheat crop residues showed potential activity to suppress weed growth.Progressive Agriculture 28 (4): 253-261, 2017


Author(s):  
Mawazo Shitindi ◽  
Kokoasse Kpomblekou-A ◽  
Wendell H. McElhenney ◽  
Ramble Ankumah ◽  
Johnson Semoka ◽  
...  

A study was conducted to evaluate maize response to leguminous biomass composted with phosphate rocks (PRs) in a split plot design. Field experiments were conducted at Wang’waray Farmers Training Center (F.T.C) located in Babati District of Manyara region in the Northern zone of Tanzania between December 2013 and June 2015. Three leguminous (Crotalaria juncea, Lablab purpureus and Mucuna pruriens) strips were cultivated in 2013/14 to produce a biomass which was harvested at flowering to early podding stage and air dried.  Air-dry biomass was composted with PRs from Minjingu (medium reactive PR) and Panda Hill (low reactive PR). Maize response to different treatments was evaluated across the field strips in 2014/15 season. The strips previously used to produce leguminous biomass were used as main plots and each strip was divided into seven subplots receiving different treatments at random. A medium term maize variety SC. 627 was used as a test crop. Average maize grain yields obtained from Crotalaria, Lablab and Mucuna strips reached 5.3, 4.5 and 4.0 t ha-1, respectively and were statistically different (P=.05). Application of Minjingu or Panda Hill PR alone didn’t increase maize grain yield above the control while Minjingu PR applied with urea or composted with biomass increased maize grain yield by 2.40 and 1.58 t ha-1, respectively above the control. Application of Panda Hill PR with urea or composted with biomass increased grain yield by 1.20 and 1.06 t ha-1, respectively above the control. The observed differences (0.82 and 0.14 t ha-1) were not statistically significant indicating that biomass composted with PR was as effective as the PR applied with urea.


1975 ◽  
Vol 84 (2) ◽  
pp. 305-312 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. E. L. Thomas ◽  
J. C. S. Allison

SUMMARYOne pot and five field experiments were made to study different aspects of the competition between R. exaltata and maize.The growth of young maize plants was not inhibited by being grown together in pots with young R. exaltata plants. In the field the soil tended to be somewhat wetter when the two species were grown together than when maize was grown alone, and was wettest with R. exaltata grown alone. Maize grain and total yield decreased and shoot yield of R. exaltata increased with R. exaltata plant density on both irrigated and unirrigated blocks of land, but yields were not much affected on either block by increase in plant density of maize or in nitrogen supply; maize yield was increased by irrigation but that of R. exaltata was not. Maize plant arrangement did not greatly affect maize grain and total yield or R. exaltata shoot yield, nor did arrangement of R. exaltata plants have much influence on their depression of maize yield, but R. exaltata caused a greater decrease in the grain yield of a short than of a tall maize cultivar.R. exaltata plants germinating at the same time as the crop plants did not have much effect on maize grain yield if they were removed by 8 weeks after the seedlings emerged, but decreased it considerably if allowed to remain for 12 weeks or more; weeds sown 2 or more weeks after the maize emerged hardly grew and had little effect on maize yield. When maize and R. exaltata were grown together leaf area of the maize was little affected up to the time of flowering, but was decreased after flowering, while leaf area of the weed was greatly depressed. Up to 7–8 weeks after seedling emergence more of the ground area was covered by foliage when maize was grown with R. exaltata than when it was grown alone, but later the ground was completely covered by foliage in both cases. Dry weight of grain and shoot of maize increased and that of shoot of R. exaltata decreased when the weed plants were shortened with growth regulators.


Author(s):  
Mabagala Frank Stephano ◽  
Yuhui Geng ◽  
Meiling Zhang

Aims: To investigate the effect of silicon (Si) fertilizer and Si fertilizer with straw return in potassium (K) and maize grain yield. Methods: In 2018 and 2019, two field experiments were established in Nong’an county, Jilin province. Four treatments were arranged in a randomized block design: JS3 (straw return + Si), WS3 (no straw return + Si), JS0 (straw return + no Si) and WS0 (no straw return + no Si). Results: In comparison with WS3, the average soil available K for WS0 was 22.1% lower. Similarly, compared with JS3, the average soil available K for WS3 was even decreased by 3.1%. The plots amended with Si fertilizer (15.9% WS3) significantly increased K uptake than that of WS0, and the total uptake of K under JS3 increased by 7.5% compared with that under WS3. The total dry matter and grain yield were significantly higher under WS3, which increased by 6.5% and 4.8% respectively, and JS3 significantly outperformed WS3 by 2.9% and 1.3% for total dry matter and grain yield. Conclusions: Our results indicate that the application of Si fertilizer improves K availability, uptake and crop yield, and the use of Si fertilizer with straw return sustainably improves K release to meet crop requirements while increasing crop productivity.


1981 ◽  
Vol 97 (3) ◽  
pp. 611-618 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. M. Osman ◽  
Z. M. Mahmoud

SUMMARYField experiments were conducted for three seasons, 1971–2, 1972–3 and 1973–4 to study the effects of nitrogen fertilizer and seed rate and their interactions on grain yield and its components and attributes of growth of two wheat varieties, Giza 155 and Mexipak. The semi-dwarf Mexipak was found to be more responsive to nitrogen application than the taller Giza 155 in a number of aspects, namely, grain yield per unit area of land, the number and weight of grains per ear, the dry weight per ear and dry weight of ears/m2. The numbers of spikelets and grains per ear of both varieties decreased linearly with an increase in seed rate. The 1000-grain weight was not affected in both varieties by either seed rate or N fertilizer.Variety × nitrogen, variety × seed rate and nitrogen × seed rate interactions were significant; the variety × nitrogen × seed rate interactions were not significant. Mexipak was found to have a definite optimum seed rate of 192 kg/ha at an optimum N level of 129kgN/ha for maximum grain yield. Giza 155 was less responsive to changes in seed rate and therefore its optimum seed rate was not as definite as that for Mexipak. Evidence presented here suggests that wheat varieties of different growth habits grown in the Sudan should receive differential treatments when the policies of setting optimum seed rates and nitrogen fertilizer rates are considered.Grain yield of both varieties was positively correlated with total dry weight of shoot at heading.


2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 206
Author(s):  
B. Sadina ◽  
A. Amoding ◽  
R. Amayo ◽  
M. Biruma

Soybean has become one of the dominant crops in Ugandan farming systems; however the contribution of its residues to improve soil and crop productivity is less known. To investigate the role of soybean residues to enhance crop productivity, researcher-managed experiments were conducted for two seasons (2011B and 2012A) in Namayingo and Tororo districts, representing the L. Victoria crescent, and South-eastern L. Kyoga basin agro-ecological zones, respectively. Factorial treatments of three levels of soybean residues (0, 2 and 4 t ha-1) and four levels of N fertilizer (0, 30, 60 and 120 kg ha-1 N) in form of urea were applied in maize fields in a randomized complete block design so as to; determine the optimum nutrient combination for maize, and establish the added yield benefits, if any, of using soybean residues with N fertilizer in maize production. Site yields varied significantly (p &lt; 0.001), with higher maize yields obtained in Namayingo compared to Tororo. Significantly (p &lt; 0.05) higher maize grain yields were obtained with the highest nutrient input combinations of 2 t ha-1 residue and 60 kg ha-1 N (yield increment of 71.72% above the control) in Namayingo district and 4 t ha-1 residue combined with120 kg ha-1 N increased maize grain yield by 140.69% above the control in Tororo. The added maize grain yield benefits ranged from 2540 kg grain ha-1 to 3250 kg grain ha-1 in Namayingo and from 2000 kg grain ha-1 to 2310 kg grain ha-1 in Tororo. Combined use of soybean residue with N fertilizer has been found to have agronomic yield benefits to maize production.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document