Synergistic Effects of Crop Establishment Methods and Weed Management on Maize (Zea mays L.) Productivity and Water Utilization

Abstract

The Indo-Gangetic plains are experiencing significant climate variability and groundwater depletion, threatening
agricultural productivity and water security. The dominant Rice-Wheat (RW) cropping pattern exacerbates water
scarcity, necessitating the replacement of water-intensive crops like rice with more water-efficient alternatives.
Maize, a primary kharif crop, but due to its spacious nature and slow initial growth, it is prone to heavy weed
growth, leading to water and nutrient losses. To optimize resource utilization and maintain sustainable maize
yields, alternative agronomic strategies are required. Modifying planting systems and implementing effective
weed management practices show promise in improving crop and water productivity of maize. So, keeping all this
in view, an experiment was conducted for two years including crop establishment methods viz., bed + residue,
zero tillage (ZT) with residue and conventional tillage (CT) + residue in main plots and five weed management
options as pyroxasulfone (PE), pyroxasulfone (PE) fb tembotrione (PoE), atrazine (PE) fb tembotrione (PoE), weedy
check and weed free check (sub plots) were compared in a split-plot design with three replications. Results in
dicated that bed + residue (Bed+R) recorded highest soil moisture content (11.84 % at knee height and 11.86
% at flowering stage in 0-15 cm of soil depth) and water productivity (9.72 kg-ha mm-1) compared to ZT+R and
CT+R. Among weed management options, highest soil moisture content and water productivity was recorded
with weed free plot, but in sequential herbicide options, highest soil moisture content (12.35 % at knee height and
12.37 % at flowering stage in 0-15 cm of soil depth) and water productivity (10.30 kg-ha mm-1) was recorded with
pyroxasulfone fb tembotrione compared to other treatments. Overall, based on the findings it can be concluded
that pyroxasulfone fb tembotrione application in maize with bed planting enhances water productivity with lesser
infestation of weeds under Indo-Gangetic Plains of India.