Response of many maize cultivars to weed control treatments

Abstract

A field experiment was carried out in fields of Field Crops Department- Agriculture College/ University of Anbar (Abu-Gharaib) and spring seasons of 2016 in order to know the effect weed control treatments in some growth, yield and its components and protein percentage of some maize genotypes (Sarah, Maha and Baghdad 3). The experiment was conducted as split plot arrangement in RCBD with three replications of each treatment. The study included four treatments: weed treatments W1, no weed treatment W0, spraying Guradian herbecide with required recommend concentration C2, and a half required recommended concentration of herbicide C1 and these treatments occupied the main plots while the genotypes represent the sub plots (Sarah, Maha and Baghdad 3).Results showed that there is a clear effects of different weed control treatments in most studied traits under the study. The treatment of full concentration of recommended herbicide achieved lowest of weed density at harvest 4.67 and 5.44 plant m-2 in comparison with the control (weed treatment) which achieved highest mean of weed density 32.11 and 28.33 plant m-2 for both seasons respectively; therefore the full concentration recommended herbicide treatment achieved the best weed control at harvest, 87.1 and 82.7% for both seasons respectively. This has led to reduction in weed dry matter and increase in inhibition in it and that has which reflected positively in improvement of growth traits and yield and its components. As for genotypes, Sarah genotype was superior in showing its ability in reduction of weed density and their dry matter and increase in control of weeds and increase in most growth traits and yield and its components in a best degree in comparison with other genotypes under study. Sarah genotype was superior in achieving highest average of plant height 167.3 and 169.7 cm, plant dry matter 1306 and 1458 g, number of grain in ear 605 and 673 grain ear-1, weight of 500 grain 134.21 and 195.7 gm in turn all has been reflected to total yield in this genotype that gave highest average of total yield 4.08 and 4.37 ton ha-1. This is an indicator that this genotype is a very good accompanied weed competitor in comparison with Maha that gave the lowest average of most of studied traits. The treatment of hand weed control (no weed) showed the clear response of maize genotypes more than other weed control treatments and followed by treatment of herbicide at recommended rate. It can be concluded from the current study that the variance between maize genotypes in most growth traits and yield and its components and protein percentage can be an important parameter in the determination of the variance between these genotypes and their ability in the competition with accompanied weed.