Effect of Herbicides on Some Characteristic of Growth and Yield of Maize (Zea mays L.)

Ammar J. Al-Khaz’ali *(1) Reasan K. Shati (2) Maha N. Kadom (1) and Khudeir A. Salman(1)

(1). Projects and Stations Management Department, Office of Agriculture Research, MOA, Baghdad, Iraq.

(2). Faculty of Agriculture University of Baghdad, Baghdad, Iraq.

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Ammar J. Al-Khaz’ali. E-Mail: a_ammarjassim@yahoo.co.uk).

Received: 24/07/2019                                Accepted: 06/11/2019

Abstract

A field trial was conducted of Abu-Ghraib Research Station, Agriculture Research Office Research during the spring and fall times of 2016, to study the effect of new herbicides (60gm.h-1 Arrow, 600 cm3.h-1 Crew, 2000 cm3.h-1 Guradian and 2000 cm3.h-1 Proponit) on the performance of seven maize cultivars (Fajer 1, Baghdad 3, 5018, Al-Maha, Talar, Sara and Buhuth 106). The experiment was accomplished using Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) in a split plot arrangement. The Guradian treatment gave the highest value of Leaf Area Index (LAI) 2.18 and 2.35 at both seasons respectively, while the weedy treatment gave the lowest values (1.49 and 1.58) respectively. Crew treatment gave superior value of Net Assimilation Rate (NAR) 6.96 gm.m-2.day-1 at spring season, while Proponit treatment gave superior value at fall season 6.88 gm. m-2.day-1. The weed -free treatment gave superior value of grain yield and biological yield at both seasons 3.840, 4.866 and 17.99, 20.57 ton.ha-1, while Arrow treatment gave high value of harvesting index at both seasons 22.28% and 22.24 % respectively. The treatment weed-free with Buhuth106 gave superior value of grain 4.179 and 5.817 ton.ha-1 at both seasons respectively. While weedy treatment with Talar gave lowest value of grain yield in spring season was 1.449 and with Al-Maha in fall season 1.921 ton.ha-1. It can be concluded from this study that using good cultivars of highly competitive with the absence or reduction of weeds competition by using herbicides, it could lead to improve some growth index for maize and thus increase yield.

Key words:  Weeds, Zea mays, Cultivars, Herbicides.

Full Paper in Arabic: PDF