Interference and estimation of economic threshold level of Alternanthera philoxeroides in maize (Zea mays L.)

Authors

  • Muhammad Nadeem Department of Agronomy, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, 38040 (Pakistan)
  • Asif Tanvee Department of Agronomy, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, 38040 (Pakistan)
  • Abdul Khaliq Department of Agronomy, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, 38040 (Pakistan)
  • Naila Farooq Department of Soil and Environmental Sciences, College of Agriculture, University of Sargodha, 40100, Pakistan
  • Tasawer Abbas In-service Agriculture Training Institute Sargodha, Pakistan

Keywords:

alligatorweed, invasive weed, maize grain quality, NPK uptake, yield losses

Abstract

Knowledge of economic threshold of emerging invasive weed Alternanthera philoxeroides (alligatorweed) is important to implement timely, efficientand economical weed control method for profitable maize production. Two-year field study consisting  fivedensity levels of A. philoxeroides viz. 0, 1, 2, 4 and 8 plants m-2 was conducted  to estimate the maize grain yield losses at different density levels and to determine  economic threshold level (ETL) of A. philoxeroides . Maximum weed dry biomass (44.28 g m-2), N (9.02 kg ha-1), P (7.91-6.86 kg ha-1) and K (7.99 kg ha-1) were observed at 8 plants m-2 A. philoxeroides density. The same weed density caused highest reduction maize plant height, number of grains per cob, 100 grain weight, grain weight per cob and biological yield of maize. Higher A. philoxeroides density also caused up to 62% reduction in maize grain yield and 21% reduction in grain protein contents as compared to weed free. ETL of A. philoxeroides was estimated to be 0.47 plants m-2, if this weed controlled chemically. Based on current finings complete control of this weed using chemical weed control is suggested to tackle yield losses in grain maize.

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Published

2019-01-21

Issue

Vol. 63 No. 3 (2018)

Section

Articles

License

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