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Sudan Journal of Agricultural Research

Effect of weeds on growth and yield of maize (Zea mays L.) in Northern State, Sudan

Mukhtar A.M.1, Eltahir S. A.2, Siraj O.M. 2 and Hamada A. A3

Abstract:

A study was conducted to investigate maize (Zea mays L.) yield loss due to weeds and identify the critical period for weed interference. Maize was sown for two consecutive winter and summer seasons during the period 2002-2004 at Agja, Dongla, Northern State, Sudan. Two sets of weeding regime experiments were conducted. The first set included weed-free treatments for 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 weeks after sowing and a weed free treatment till harvest. The second set consisted of a weedy treatment for 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 weeks after sowing and aweedy treatment till harvest. Combined analysis of both winter seasons indicated that unrestricted weed growth significantly reduced maize grain yield by 58 - 62% compared to weed free full season treatment, while in summer, the reduction was 67 – 79%. Maize grain yield decreased as the duration of weed infestation period increased. Plant height was reduced by 62.5 and 67.1% under full season weedy conditions for winter and summer plantings, respectively. The same trend was also observed for shoot dry weight and leaf area index. The critical period of weed competition was found to be between 2-8 weeks after planting in winter and 2-9 weeks in summer. Generally, yield potential was found to be much higher in winter than in summer.


 

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Sudan Journal of Agricultural Research Vol. 8 (2007) PP. 1-7