Effect of Tillage and Cultural Weed Control Method on the Growth and Yield of Maize (Zea mays L.).

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during the 2007 raining season at the research farm institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IAR&T) Moor Plantation Ibadan to determine the effects of tillage and cultural weed control method on growth and yield of three maize varieties. The tillage methods evaluated are ploughed twice (T1), ploughed twice, harrowed once (T2), ploughed twice harrowed once and ridged (T3), and zero tillage (T4). The cultural weed control adopted was hoe weeding and the three maize varieties used are Suwan-ISR-Y (Suwan I Striga Resistance-Yellow) (V1), TZPBSR-W (Tropical Zea mays Population Borer and Streak Resistant-White) (V2), and DMR-LSR-Y (Downey Mildew Resistant, Late maturing Streak Resistant, Yellow) (V3). Results showed that T1 favours the highest response of all the three varieties for vegetative growth and yield under cultural weed control method. All the 3 varieties had high yield value T1 (Suwan-ISR-Y = 4755.6Kg/ha. TZPBSR-W. All varieties had their least yield under T4. The T1 was recommended for maize cultivation especially under cultural weed control method.