Effect Of Weeds On The Yield Of Maize Crop In Tehsil Nowshera District Rajouri, J&K

The present communication pertains to the effect of weeds on the yield of maize crop in tehsil Nowshera, district Rajouri (J&K).The study was conducted during June to November, 2010. During this course the authors have selected two plots of 01 hectare each (P1 and P2) in village Jaba (irrigated area) of tehsil Nowhera. The plot P1 was marked as Weed Free plot (WF) and P2 as Weedy Plot (WP). Both the plots were ploughed and the seed beds were prepared by adding equal amount of NPK fertilizer (Urea150 kg, DAP 100 kg and Potash 40 kg/hec.). Same variety of maize seeds was sown in both the plots during second week of June, 2010. Nitrogen fertilizer urea was given in split doses (50kg before sowing, 50 kg, 40 DAS and 50 kg at tassel stage). In plot P1 (WF) 2 days after sowing the herbicide Atrazine was sprayed @ 1.2 kg/ hq.,hoeing and earthingup was done twice (first 20 DAS and second 40DAS) deweeding (hand pulling and eradicating weeds with the help of digger and sickle) was done during the month of Aug.-Sept., 2010. In plot P2 (WP) no herbicide was sprayed, only one hoeing was done (20 DAS) and no deweeding operation was carried, as a result 38 weeds were reported from this plot. After ripening the crop was harvested (during first week of Nov., 2010) from both the plots and threshed separately. The grains collected in different bags were weighed. The weeds compete with maize crop in plot P2 (WP) and reduced the yield by 30.61%.