2024, Vol. 7, Special Issue 6

author(s)
C Nithya, S Ramakrishnan, P Thirunavukkarasu and VS Mynavathi

abstract
Cultivation techniques of fodder maize during recent years have led to a shift in the composition of weed populations. This would necessitate the integration of new, efficient herbicides in the control of primary weeds in maize crop. Hence, a field trial was carried out at Livestock Farm Complex, Veterinary College and Research Institute, Namakkal during kharif season 2022 to determine the most suitable weed management method to control the diverse weed species in fodder maize. The experiment was carried out in Randomized Block Design (RBD) with seven treatments replicated thrice. Data was collected on weed parameters and yield of fodder maize. The experimental field was infested with Trianthema portulacastrum, Cleome gynandra, Boerhaavia diffusa, Digera arvensis and Cyanotis axillaris. Among the grassy weeds, Cynodon dactylon and Dactyloctenium aegyptium were the dominant weed species.The results of this study indicated that application of Atrazine 1.0 kg ha^-1 followed by (fb) hand weeding can effectively control the diverse weed population in fodder maize fields, resulting in higher green fodder yield of 41.1 t ha^-1.