EFFECT OF TILLAGE AND WEEDING ON GROWTH AND YIELD OF MAIZE

The experiment was conducted to assess the effect of tillage and weeding practices on the growth, yield, and weed infestation of maize at the research field of the Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture, Sunamganj substation, from December 2020 to April 2021. Three tillage (conventional tillage, zero tillage, strip tillage) and three weeding practices (pre-plant herbicide application, one manual weeding and no weeding) were tested using factorial randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four replications. The results revealed that maize growth, yield and its attributes as well as weed infestations were significantly affected by the tillage, weeding practices and their interactions. Weeds of all categories, including grass, sedge, and broad leaf, were present and affected by tillage and weeding activities. In the weed affected plots, Eleusine indica L., Fimbristylis maliaceae, Eclipta prostrata L., Echinochloa crusgalli L. were found prominent. It was observed that conventional tillage plots treated with herbicide produced the highest grain yield (10.78 t ha-¹) and benefit cost ratio (BCR) (2.26), as well as the lowest weed density (5.75 m-²) and maximum weed control efficiency (84.15%). The lowest yield was found in zero tillage plots with no weeding (4.89 t ha-¹) due to higher weed density (88.50 m-²). However, strip tillage along with herbicide treated plots produced yield of 8.01 t ha-¹ incurring a moderate cost of production (81,477 Tk.) and good BCR (2.13). As conventional tillage plots treated with herbicide resulted in higher plant growth and yield and lower weed density than conservation tillage practices with or without weeding it can be practiced in the field for better outcome. However, considering farmer’s income, strip tillage with herbicide application can be suggested for good yield and BCR with the low cost of production.