Nutrient uptake by maize, weeds and their post-harvest availability as effected by different weed management practices in Kharif maize (Zea mays L.)

Abstract

A field experiment was carried out on kharif maize in 2022 at Main Agricultural Research Station, University of Agricultural Science, Raichur with eleven treatments replicated under Randomized Complete Block Design. Among the different herbicide treatments, the post-emergence application of mesotrione 48% SC @ 144 g a.i. ha-1 at 3-4 leaf stage of weeds fb IC at 45 DAS had recorded significantly higher nutrient uptake by maize (126.96, 27.70 and 119.63 kg ha-1 of N, P and K, respectively) and lower nutrient uptake by weeds (11.86, 3.58 and 7.98 kg ha-1 of N, P and K, respectively). Further, it had also resulted in significantly higher availability of soil nutrients (179.80, 22.67 and 360.44 kg ha-1 of N, P2O5 and K2O, respectively) after harvest of the maize. However, it was statistically comparable with other herbicide treatments like tembotrione 34.4% SC @ 125 g a.i. ha-1 at 3-4 leaf stage of weeds fb IC at 45 DAS and mesotrione 48% SC @ 120 g a.i. ha-1 at 3-4 leaf stage of weeds fb IC at 45 DAS.