EFFECT OF DIFFERENT MULCHES ON WEED INFESTATION, GROWTH AND YIELD OF MAIZE (Zea mays L.) DURING RAINY SEASON

Ei Htwe; Thu Zar; Kyi  Moe; Kyaw Ngwe; Htay Htay Oo

Authors

Ei Mon Htwe Ph.D Candidate, Department of Agronomy, Yezin Agricultural University, Myanmar.
Thu Zar Associate Professor, Department of Agronomy, Yezin Agricultural University
Kyi Moe Associate Professor, Department of Agronomy, Yezin Agricultural University
Kyaw Ngwe Professor and Head, Department of Soil and Water Science, Yezin Agricultural University
Htay Htay Oo Professor and Head, Department of Agronomy, Yezin Agricultural University

Abstract

The experiment was conducted at the field of Department of Agronomy, Yezin Agricultural University, Myanmar to study the effect of different mulches on weed infestation, growth, and yield of maize, and to select the suitable mulch in maize cultivation during rainy season. The experiment was conducted by using randomized complete block design (RCB) with three replications. A total of six treatments were comprised of control (no mulch) (T1), legumes living mulches such as cowpea mulch (T2), green gram mulch (T3) and lablab bean mulch (T4), organic mulch such as maize stover mulch (T5) and black plastic mulch (T6). Maize variety of CP 808 was used as the tested variety. Weed infestation were significantly different among the treatments. The weed density in all mulches plots was significantly lower than the control (no mulch, T1) at all sampling times (15 days after sowing (DAS), 35 DAS, 55 DAS and 75 DAS). The minimum weed dry weight was observed from black plastic mulch (T6) and followed by maize stover mulch (T5) at 15 DAS, 35 DAS, 55 DAS and 75 DAS. Among the living mulches, the lowest weed dry weight was attained from cowpea mulch (T2) and followed by lablab bean mulch (T4) and green gram mulch (T3). Total dry matter and leaf area index of maize were significantly different among the treatments at maximum vegetative growth stage, tasseling stage and grain filling stage. The highest total dry matter of maize was obtained from maize stover mulch (T5) at maximum vegetative growth stage and tasseling stage, and cowpea mulch (T2) at grain filling stage. The highest leaf area index was attained from black plastic mulch (T6) at maximum vegetative growth stage and cowpea mulch (T2) at grain filling stage. The maximum crop growth rate from maximum vegetative growth stage to tasseling stage was obtained from black plastic mulch (T6) and from tasseling stage to grain filling stage was observed from lablab bean mulch (T4) followed by cowpea mulch (T2) and green gram mulch (T3). The maximum grain yield was recorded from cowpea mulch (T2) and followed by green gram mulch (T3). According to the results, cowpea mulch (T2) is suitable for maize cultivation during rainy season in the study area.