Protein and starch content in maize (Zea mays L.) as influenced by herbicidal weed management

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during kharif 2018-19 College of Agriculture, Latur to find out the effective herbicides for control of weeds in maize (Zea mays L.). The experiment comprise of 10 treatment combinations. Application of pendimethalin 1000 g a.i. ha-1 (PE) fb 2,4-D amine 1000 g a.i. ha-1 (PoE) was significantly superior in reducing weed density and dry weight of weeds and hence improved the protein and starch content. Weed free check, pendimethalin 1000 g a.i. ha-1 (PE) fb 2,4-D amine 1000 g a.i. ha-1 (PoE), pendimethalin 1000 g a.i. ha-1 (PE) fb tembotrione 120 g a.i. ha-1 (30 DAS) and atrazine 1000 g a.i. ha-1 (PE) fb 2,4-D amine 1000 g a.i. ha-1 (PoE) registered 12.00, 11.63, 11.03 and 10.93 % protein and 63.70, 62.17, 60.83 and 60.50 % starch respectively as against the protein and starch content of weedy check 7.13 and 58.87 respectively. (PoE-Post Emergence, PE-Pre Emergence).