Response of Spacing and Weed Management on the Growth and Yield of Sweet Corn (Zea Mays Saccharata)

Abstract

A field experiment was carried out at the experimental farm of Annamalai University; Annamalai Nagar during kharif season of 2020 to study on the effect of spacing and weed management practices on growth and yield of sweet corn (Zea mays saccharata).With three replications, the experiment was set up as a split-plot design. As major plot treatments, the experiment included four sizes (45x15cm, 45x30cm, 60x15cm, and 60x30cm). The sub plot treatment included six weed management strategies (Pendimethalin @ 1 kg ha -1, Pendimethalin @ 1 kg ha -1 +HW @ 20 DAS, Atrazine @ 1 kg ha -1, Atrazine @ 1 kg ha -1+HW @ 20 DAS, Hand weeding twice @ 20 and 40 DAS, and unweeded control). Dactelocteniu aegyptium, Echinochloa colonum, Cynodon dactylon, Trianthema protulacastrum, Vernonia cinerea, Cleome viscosa and Eclipta alba were the most common weed floras.In the least crop geometry, however, there was a larger weed population and weed dry matter output. Weed population and dry biomass were much lower than expected due to the plant population of 45 x 15 cm. Because of the tight row spacing, the canopy closes up and the weeds are shaded. Weed growth is reduced when the plant population is high compared to when it is low. Controlled weed density, weed DMP, and greater grain yield of 5575 kg ha-1 were recorded with the combination of spacing 60 x 30 cm plus hand weeding twice at 20 and 40 DAS, followed by Atrazine at 1.0 kg ha-1plus hand weeding on 20 DAS. However grain yield was higher where control measures were followed as compared to unweeded control measures