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Crop Research

Effect of pre- and post- emergence herbicides on the weed flora and productivity of Rabi maize (Zea mays L.)


DOI: 10.31830/2454-1761.2025.CR-1038    | Article Id: CR-1038 | Page : 317-323
Citation :- Effect of pre- and post- emergence herbicides on the weed flora and productivity of Rabi maize (Zea mays L.). Crop Res. 60: 317-323
N. GAYATRI, GUDAPATI ASHOKA CHAKRAVARTHY, B. MAHESH NAIK, MARAGANI VAMSHI AND M. VIKRAM SAI gayuanju2001@gmail.com
Address : Department of Agronomy, School of Agricultural Sciences, Malla Reddy University, Hyderabad - 500100, Telangana, India
Submitted Date : 5-07-2025
Accepted Date : 25-08-2025
Online Published:

Abstract

Crop yields are affected by various biotic and abiotic factors, with weed infestation being a major cause of significant yield losses. In Rabi maize, unmanaged weeds compete for nutrients, water, and light, reducing productivity. Evaluating the effectiveness of pre- and post-emergence herbicides is essential to manage weed flora, minimize competition, and improve crop performance under changing weed dynamics. Based on this, a field experiment was carried out during Rabi 2024-25 at the College Farm, School of Agricultural Sciences (SoAS), Malla Reddy University, Maisammaguda, Hyderabad, Telangana To evaluate the effect of pre- and post-emergence herbicides on weed flora and productivity of Rabi maize (Zea mays L.). The field experiment was laid out in a randomized block design with three replications, comprising combinations of pre-emergence herbicides (atrazine and pyroxasulfone) followed by either hand weeding or post-emergence herbicides (tembotrione or topramezone). An early post-emergence application of mesotrione + atrazine was also included. Weed-free and unweeded control plots were maintained for comparison. The weed-free treatment recorded the lowest weed density, biomass, and weed index, along with the highest weed control efficiency, crop growth, yield attributes, and grain and stover yields. However, atrazine 50 WP (1000 g/ha) applied pre-emergence followed by tembotrione 34.4 SC (120 g/ha) applied post-emergence was the most effective herbicidal option, providing comparable weed control, improved yield parameters, and the highest benefit-cost ratio. Hence, this combination is recommended as an economical and efficient weed management strategy for maize under labour constraints.

Keywords

Growth herbicides maize weed management.

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