PERFORMANCE OF EXTRA EARLY MAIZE (Zea mays L.) INFLUENCED BY WEED CONTROL METHODS AND PLANTING PATTERN

Abstract

A field trial was conducted during the 2014 rainy season at the research farm of the Institute for Agricultural Research, Samaru (11º 11’ N; 07° 38’ E) 686m above sea level in the Northern Guinea Savanna ecological zone of Nigeria to study the effects of weed control and planting pattern on productivity of extra early maize. The trial consisted of factorial combination of five weed control treatments which include application of atrazine at 1.0 and 1.5 kg a.i/ha, one hoe weeding at 3 weeks after sowing, two hoe weeding at 3 and 6 weeks after sowing and a weedy check with two planting patterns Single and double rows. The treatments were laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design with three replicates. Application of Atrazine at 1.5kg a.i/ha produced the least weed cover and weed dry weight. Double row planting also recorded lower weed cover and weed dry weight. Application of Atrazine at 1.5kg a.i/ha and two hoe weeding at 3 and 6 WAS produced the most vigorous and taller plants. Double row planting also produced the most vigorous plants. Application of atrazine at 1.5 kg a.i/ha produced plants with more leaves and also increased days to 50% tasseling while all other weed control treatments with the exception of the weedy check increased days to 50% silking. Application of atrazine at 1.5 kg a.i/ha and the two hoe weedings significantly produced longer, wider and heavier cobs. Single row planting also produced longer wider and heavier cobs. The highest grain yield was obtained in plots treated with atrazine at 1.5 kg a.i/ha while double row planting recorded the highest grain yield. Based on the result of this study it can be concluded that application of Atrazine at 1.5kg a.i/ha with double row planting reduced weed infestation and increased grain yield of extra early maize.