Investigating the possibility of reducing herbicide application in corn (Zea mays L.) by using density and planting pattern

Document Type : Scientific - Research

Authors

• Neda S. Monfared
• Iraj Alahdadi
• Mohammad ali Baghestani
• Hamid Iran nejad
• Eskandar Zand
• Atefeh Razzazi

Iranian Research Institute of Plant Protection, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Tehran, Iran

10.22067/jag.v1i2.2678

Abstract

In order to study the effects of corn density and planting pattern for reducing herbicide application, an experiment was carried out in 2007 at Varamin Research Station of Plant Protection Research Institute. The experimental design was a randomized complete block in a split plot arrangement with 4 replications. Experimental factors consisted of planting patterns at 4 levels included one row planting on each ridge with recommended density, two rows planting on each ridge with recommended density, 0.25 and 0.5 times more than recommended density in main plots and herbicide at 5 levels including Atrazin 1 L/ha plus EPTC 4, 5 and 6 L/ha, Atrazin 1 L/ha plus Allachlor 5 L/ha, EPTC 6 L/ha in subplots. Weed-free and weedy controls were added to treatments. Results indicated that altering planting pattern to two rows planting with 0.25 and 0.5 times more than recommended density significantly increased grain yield. Grain yield of herbicide treatments except weedy control had no significant difference in comparison with weed-free control. Therefore by using reduced rates of herbicides it is possible to decrease herbicide application. Herbicide application had significant effect on number of kernel rows per ear, 100-grain weight and ear diameter and grain yield was increased.

Keywords

• Planting method
• Tankmix herbicides
• Weeds interference
• Competitive ability

---

References

Abdullah, G.H., Ahmad Khan, I., Munir. M., 2007. Effect of planting methods and herbicides on yield and yield

components of maize. Pak J. Weed Sci. Res. 13, 39-48.

2- Ali, R., Khalil, S.K., Raza, S.M., Khan. H., 2003. Effect of herbicides and row spacing on maize (Zea mays L.).

Pak. J. Weed Sci. Res. 9, 171-178.

3- Ballare, C.L., Casal. J.J., 2000. Light signals perceived by crop and weed plants. Field Crop Res. 67, 149-160.

4- Bauman, D.T., 2001. Competitive suppression of weeds in a leek-celery intercropping system. Ph.D. Thesis.

Wageningen Agricultural University. Netherlands.

5- Blackshaw, R.E., O’Donovan, J.T., Harker, K.N., Clayton, G.W., Stougaard. R.N., 2006. Reduced herbicide doses

in field crops: A review. Weed Biology and Management. 6, 10-17.

6- Buhler, D.D., 2002. Challenges and opportunities for integrated weed management. Weed Sci. 50, 273-280.

7- Cathcard, R.J., Swanton. C.J., 2004. Nitrogen management will influence threshold values of green foxtail

(Setaria viridis) competition effects on corn growth and development. Weed Sci. 51, 975-986.

8- Caton, B.P., Mortimer, A.M., Foin, T.C., Hill, J.I., Gibson, K.D., Fischer. J., 2001. Weed shoot morphology effects

on competiveness for light and direct-seeded rice. Weed Res. 41, 155-163.

9- Eskandari, A., 2007. Effects of different planting pattern on decline of herbicides consumption and weeds

population. MSc. Thesis. Fac. Agric. Tehran Univ., Iran. (In Persian with English summary).

10- Finck, C., 2003. Twin rows take to field. Farm J. (Midwest/Central edition). Philadelphia. 127, 8-15.

11- Gardiol, J.M., Serio, L.A., Della Maggiora A.I., 2003. Modelling evapotranspiration of corn under different plant

densities. Journal of Hydrology. 271, 188-196.

12- George, A., 2002. Principles of crop production. Prentice-Hall of India. New dehli-110 001.

13- Gokmen, S., Sencar, O., Sakin, M.A., 2001. Response of popcorn (Zea mays everata) to nitrogen rates and plant

densities. Turk. J. Agric. 25, 15-23.

14- Gozebenli, H., Kilinc, M., Sener, O., Konuskan, O., 2004. Effects of single and twin row planting on yield and

yield component in maize. Asian Journal of Plant Science. 3, 203-206.

15- Harbur, M.M., Owen. M.D.K., 2004. Light and growth rate effects on crop and weed responses to nitrogen. Weed

Sci. 52, 578-583.

16- Hashemi, A.M., Herbert, S.J., Putnam, D.H., 2005. Yield response of corn to crowding stress. Agron J. 97, 839-

846.

17- Katsvairo, T.W., Cox, W.J., Glos, M., Van Es, H.M., Otis. D., 2002. Variable rate N management in corn. What’s

Cropping Up. 12, 1–5.

18- Khan, M.A., 2002. Efficacy of different herbicides on the yield and yield components of maize. MSc. Thesis.

Weed Science Deptt. NWFP Agric Univ. Peshawar.

19- Konuskan, O., 2000. Effect of plant density on yield and yield-related characters of some maize hybrids grown in

Hatay conditions as second crop. MSc. Thesis. Science Institute, M. K. U.

20- Lemerle, D., Gill, G.S., Murphy, C.E., Walker, S.R., Cousens, R.D., Mokhtari. S., 2001. Genetic improvement and

agronomy for enhanced wheat competitiveness with weeds. Aust. J. Agric Res. 52, 527-548.

21- Maddonni, G. A., Otegui, M.E., Cirilo. A.G., 2001. Plant population density, row spacing and hybrid effects on

maize canopy architecture and light attenuation. Field Crops Res. 71, 183-193.

22- Mehrabi, A., 2008. Controlling corn weeds by changing density and planting pattern. MSc. Thesis. Fac. Agric.

Tehran Univ., Iran. (In Persian with English summary).

23- Mohler, C.L., 2001. Enhancing the competitive ability of crops. In: Liebman, M., Mohler, C.L., Staver, C.P. (Eds.),

Ecological Management of Agricultural Weeds. Cambridge University Press. Cambridge. Pp, 269-322.

تأثیر تراکم و آرایش کاشت ذرت دانه ای... 17

24- National Agricultural Statistics Service [NASS]. 2002. Agricultural Chemical Usage. Washington, DC:

Agricultural Statistics Board and USDA.

25- Norris, R.F., Elmore, C.L., Rejmanek, M., Akey. W.C., 2001. Spatial arrangement, demsity and competition

between barnyardgrass and tomato: I. Crop growth and yield. Weed Sci. 49, 61-68.

26- Norwood, C.A., 2001. Dryland corn in western kansas: Effect of hybrid maturity, planting date and plant

population. Agron J. 93, 540-547.

27- Roggenkamp, G.J., Mason, S.C., Martin. A.R., 2000. Velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti) and green foxtail (Setaria

viridis) response to corn (Zea mays) hybrid. Weed Tech. 14, 304-311.

28- Rajcan, I., Swanton. C.J., 2001. Understanding maize-weed competition: resource competition, light quality and

the whole plant. Field Crop Res. 71, 139-150.

29- Razzazi, A., 2009. Application of Density, Varying Planting Patterns and Herbicides in Integrated Weed

Management of Corn (Zea mays L.). MSc. Thesis. Fac. Agric. Isfahan University Of Technology. (In Persian with

English summary).

30- Shapiro, C.A., Wortmann. C.S., 2006. Corn response to nitrogen rate, row spacing and plant density in eastern

Nebraska. Agron J. 98, 529-535.

31- Stewart, G., 2000. Twin row corn. Retrieved January 10, 2008, from http://www.ontariocorn.org.

32- Tingle, C.H.,. Steele, G.L, Chandler. J.M., 2003. Competition and control of smellmelon (Cucumis melo var.

dudaim Naud) in cotton. Weed Sci. 51, 586-591.

33- Weiner, J., Griepentorg, H.W., Kristensen. L., 2001. Suppression of weed by spring wheat (Triticum aestivum)

increase with crop density and spatial uniformity. J. Appl Eco. 38, 784-790.

34- Williams, M.M., Masiunas. J.B., 2006. Functional relationships between giant ragweed (Ambrosia trifida)

interference and sweet corn yield and ear traits. Weed Sci. 54, 948-953.