Effect of row-spacing and weed management practices on yield and economics of Sweet corn (Zea mays L. saccharata)

Abstract

The experiment was conducted during the Rabi season 2019 at Prayagraj to study the Effect of row-spacing and weed management practices on yield and economics of Sweet corn (Zea mays L. saccharata). The experiment comprised of 2 factors and 10 treatments viz. Row spacings (40 cm and 50 cm) and weed management practices (Weedy check, Weed free check, Atrazine a.i @ 1.0 kg/ha PRE fb Hand weeding at 20 DAS, Tembotrione a.i @ 120 g/ha PoE and Atrazine a.i @ 1.0 kg/ha PRE fb Tembotrione a.i @ 120 g/ha PoE. Results revealed that application of 50 cm + Weed free check gave maximum no. of cobs/plant (1.28), no. of grains/cob (819.67). Whereas the maximum green cob yield (10.51 t/ha) was obtained with the application of 40 cm + Weed free check. Stover yield (21.33 t/ha) was maximum with the application of 40 cm + Atrazine a.i. @ 1.0 kg/ha PRE fb hand weeding at 20 DAS. Highest Weed control efficiency (98.63%) was observed with 40 cm + Weed free check followed by Atrazine a.i. @ 1.0 kg/ha PRE + Tembotrione a.i. @ 120 g/ha PoE (91.63%) and Atrazine a.i. @ 1.0 kg/ha PRE fb by Hand weeding at 20 DAS (85.12%).Whereas lowest Weed index was observed with 40 cm + Weed free check (0%), followed by 40 cm + Atrazine a.i. @ 1.0 kg/ha PRE followed by Hand weeding at 20 DAS (3.50%) and Atrazine a.i. @ 1.0 kg/ha PRE + Tembotrione a.i. @ 120 g/ha PoE (10.15%). Maximum gross returns (142906.5 Rs /ha) obtained with the application of 40 cm + Weed free check, maximum net returns (93211.34 Rs/ha) were obtained with the application of Atrazine a.i. @ 1.0 kg/ha followed by Hand weeding at 20 DAS and Maximum B: C ratio (1.90) was recorded with application of Atrazine a.i. @ 1.0 kg/ha followed by Hand weeding at 20 DAS.