Weed management in maize under rainfed organic farming system

Abstract

Field experiment was conducted under organic farming for three consecutive years during 2008-09 to 2010-11 to study the effect of different non-chemical weed management practices on productivity and weed infestation in maize in mid altitude (950 m MSL) of Meghalaya, India. Total eight treatment in three replication were evaluated on maize. Grain weight/cob of maize was maximum under mulching with fresh Eupatorium sp. biomass after earthing up at 30 days after sowing (DAS). The highest maize yield was recorded under mulching with fresh Eupatorium 10 t/ha, but it was statistically at par with two hand weeding (HW) at 20 and 40 DAS, weed free check and soybean green manure incorporation in situ + one HW. Two HW, soybean green manure incorporation + one HW and mechanical weeding (20 DAS) + one HW (after earthing up) were found to be effective in weed reduction in maize. Weed control efficiency was recorded maximum under two HW which was at par with mechanical weeding (20 DAS) + one HW. Available N, P, K and soil organic carbon concentration after 3-croppoing cycles were maximum under mulching with fresh Eupatorium 10 t/ha treatment followed by soybean green manuring + one HW (45 DAS) than those under other weed management practices. Thus, mulching with fresh Eupatorium (after earthing up) and soybean green manuring + one HW were the recommendable options for sustainable organic maize production under high rainfall hill ecosystem of North-East India.

Organic Methods of Weed Control in Brinjal (Solanum melongena L.) Cultivation- Alternative to Conventional Chemical Control

“…This might be observed due to weed free condition and mechanical weeding created less weed density and weed crop competition for moisture, nutrients, space and CO 2 . Similar results observed by Mansuri [7], Thakur et al ( 2013) and Das et al [8]. Effect of non-chemical weed control modules on the density of grassy weeds, broad-leaved weeds, sedges and total weed density (No.m -2…”

A Review on Scope and Challenges of Organic Farming in India

“…In organic farming the weed management is done by the utilization of techniques like stale seed bed, about 15-20% of cotton yield has been increased when stale seed bed is followed (Sanbagavalli, 2010). Das et al(2016) conducted a field experiment in Meghalaya under organic farming to study the weed management in maize crop. Weed control under mulching recorded the maximum yield of 10 t ha -1 which is at par with hand weeding.Mechanical and thermal weed control are natural methods that can be used as direct plant protection techniques in organic cultivation (Bond and Grundy, 2001).…”

Weed Management Practices in Maize (Zea mays L.): A Review

“…Grain losses in maize varied between 28-100 per cent, if weeds were not controlled during the critical period of crop weed competition (Kumar et al, 2017b). During Kharif season maize suffers from heavy weed infestation, which may cause yield losses ranging from 28-100 per cent depending upon the intensity and nature of infestation of weeds (Das et al, 2016). Imoloame and Omolalye (2016) observed 89 per cent yield loss in maize as a result of uncontrolled weed infestation.…”