Investigating Corn Density and Different Weed Management Methods in Corn (Zea mays) Fields

Document Type : Research Paper

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Abstract

In order to investigate the possibility of integrated weed management in corn fields an experiment was conducted in a split-plot with randomized complete blocks design with four replications in Arak Islamic Azad University Research Center during 2008. Treatments were corn density at three levels 70, 80 and 90 thousand plants per hectare in main plots and weed management at five levels including weed free and weed infested controls, one time cultivation, one and two liters per hectare of Nicosolforon. Results indicated that, there was no significant difference between one and two lit/ha of nicosulfuron treatments in high corn density was treatments. Therefore, the best corn density for reducing the dose of nicosulfuron 90,000 plants per hectare. Based on the results obtained from present research, in organic agricultural system, herbicide could be omitted for controlling weeds in corn using on time cultivation at 4-6 leaf stage of weeds plus corn density at 90,000 plants per hectare.

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