Impact of Different Planting Methods and Weed Management Practices on Growth and Phenological Parameters of Maize (Zea mays L.)

Abstract

The experiment was conducted at the Students’ Instructional Farm, Department of Agronomy, at Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur to evaluate the performance of different planting methods and weed management practices on growth parameters and phenological parameters of Maize during the kharif seasons of 2023 and 2024. The experiment was laid down in Split-plot design with three replications. The main factors included three planting methods and subplots consists of seven weed management practices including control. Ridge and furrow planting (P3) was found statistically superior plant height peaked at 90 days after sowing (DAS) (189.4 cm), fresh weight peaked at harvest (585.5 g), highest leaf area index (LAI) (3.98 at 60 DAS), and days to 50 % taselling and days to 50 % silking was found statistically superior in ridge and furrow planting (P3) than conventional flatbed and broadcasted method. Among weed management treatments, the weed-free treatment (W7) recorded highest value and among herbicidal treatment sequential application of Pyroxasulfone 85% @ 127.5 g/ha as PE fb Topramezone 33.6 SC @ 30 g/ha 25 DAS as PoE (W5) recorded highest Plant height (193.80 cm at 90 DAS), fresh weight (441.50 g at harvest), LAI (3.98 at 60 DAS), highest days to 50 % taselling and days to 50 % silking, which was closely followed by  Pyroxasulfone 85 % @ 127.5 g/ha as PE fb Tembotrione 42 % SC @ 120 g/ha 25 DAS as PoE (W4), while the weedy check (W6) recorded the lowest growth parameters and W6 led to the earliest tasselling and silking among all growth stages. Interaction effects between planting and weed management were statistically non-significant across all parameters. Based on the results, ridge and furrow planting method along with Pyroxasulfone and Topramezone or Tembotrione herbicides, consistently enhanced plant growth and phenological parameters throughout the crop period, making it the most effective methods in cultivation of hybrid maize.