Effect of weed and nutrient management on nutrient uptake by maize (Zea mays) and weeds

Abstract

The results of field experiment carried out during the rainy seasons of 1997 and 1998 at Instructional Farm, Rajasthan College of Agriculture, Udaipur, indicated that adoption of various weed management treatments significantly enhanced N and P uptake by maize (Zea mays L.) and reduced removal of nutrients by weeds as compared to weedy check. Maximum saving of 30.1 % nitrogen and 26.4% phosphorus was achieved with atrazine at 0.5 kgha as pre emergence intercultivation at 35 days after sowing (DAS). This treatment gave 92.7 and 57.4% more grain and stover yield, respectively, on pooled basis compared to weedy check, which was followed by intercultivation twice at 20 and 35 DAS. The yield as well as uptake of N and P by the crop were maximum with 150% recommended dose of N and P through fertilizer, followed by 125% recommended dose of fertilizer while the uptake of N and P were comparatively higher with the treatments involving application of FYM 10 tonneslha compared to remaining treatment of nutrient management.