A proposal on:

EFFECT OF WEED MANAGEMENT PRACTICES ON PRODUCTIVITY OF SPRING

MAIZE IN BANKE, NEPAL

Principle researcher: Nishan Khatri

Contact: 9865039374

Email: nishankhatri1234@gmail.com

Responsible institution: Agriculture and Forestry University

Location: Rampur, Chitwan

Major Advisor: Dr. Madhav Prasad Neupane

Assistant Professor

Department of Agronomy

AFU, Rampur

Site supervisor: Mr. Kafil Ahamad

Senior agriculture Officer, Project Implementation Unit

Maize zone, Nepalgunj, Banke

Research location: (PMAMP maize zone area)

Type of Research: Action Research

Expected cost: NRs 29,650

Research Duration: 2021 March -June (4 months)

Contents

1) Introduction............................................................................................................................................6
1.1) Background introduction......................................................................................................................6
Table 1: Area, Production and Yield of maize in Nepal...............................................................................7
Table 2: Area, Production and Productivity of maize of Banke District.......................................................8
1.2) Statement of problem..........................................................................................................................8
1.3) Rationale of the study..........................................................................................................................9
1.4) Objectives...........................................................................................................................................10
1.4.1) General objectives...........................................................................................................................10
1.4.2) Specific objectives...........................................................................................................................10
1.5) Hypothesis..........................................................................................................................................10
2) Literature review...................................................................................................................................11
2.1) Weed flora and their effects on maize yield.......................................................................................11
2.2) Effect of weed management on maize yield.......................................................................................12
2.3) Atrazine..............................................................................................................................................13
2.4 ) 2,4-D ethyl ester................................................................................................................................13
2.5) Effects of herbicidal control on weed density and yield of maize.......................................................14
3) Conceptual framework..........................................................................................................................15
4) Methodology.........................................................................................................................................16
4.1) Site selection......................................................................................................................................16
Figure: Map depicting Research site area.................................................................................................17
4.2) Experimental setup............................................................................................................................17
4.3) Field Layout........................................................................................................................................18
4.4) Variety................................................................................................................................................19
4.5) Manure and fertilizer application.......................................................................................................19
5) Observations to be taken......................................................................................................................20
5.1) Weather data during the crop season................................................................................................20
5.2) Soil characteristics..............................................................................................................................20
5.3) Date of sowing....................................................................................................................................20
5.4 ) Phenological Observation..................................................................................................................20
5.4.1) Emergence.......................................................................................................................................20
5.4.2) Plant population/m2.......................................................................................................................20
5.4.3) Days of tasseling..............................................................................................................................20
5.4.4) Days of silking..................................................................................................................................21
5.4.5) Days of physiological maturity.........................................................................................................21
5.5) Biometric observation........................................................................................................................21
5.5.1) Number of Leaf:...............................................................................................................................21
5.5.2 ) Leaf area index (LAI):......................................................................................................................21
5.5.3) Plant height.....................................................................................................................................21
5.5.4) Dry matter accumulation.................................................................................................................21
5.6) Observation on weed.........................................................................................................................22
5.6.1) Classification/ Identification of weed flora......................................................................................22
5.6.2) Weed density/ number...................................................................................................................22
5.6.3) Weed dry matter.............................................................................................................................22
5.6.4) Weed control efficiency (WCE)........................................................................................................22
5.7) Yield attributing characters................................................................................................................22
5.7.1) Number of harvested ears...............................................................................................................22
5.7.2) Ear length and circumference..........................................................................................................22
5.7.3) Number of kernels per ear..............................................................................................................23
5.7.4) Thousand Grain Weight (TGW) or Test weight:...............................................................................23
5.7.5) Shelling percentage.........................................................................................................................23

Grain yield (kg )

Shelling percentage = ×100
Cob yield (kg ) ..........................................................................23
5.7.6) Grain moisture content (%):............................................................................................................23
5.7.7) Grain yield.......................................................................................................................................23
5.7.8) Stover yield......................................................................................................................................23
5.7.9) Harvest index...................................................................................................................................24
5.8) Economic analysis...............................................................................................................................24
5.8.1) Cost of cultivation............................................................................................................................24
5.8.2) Gross return....................................................................................................................................24
5.8.3) Net return........................................................................................................................................24
5.8.4 B: C ratio...........................................................................................................................................24
6) Data analysis..........................................................................................................................................24
7) Expected output....................................................................................................................................25
8) Beneficiaries..........................................................................................................................................25
9) Risk and assumption..............................................................................................................................26
10) Work schedule (Gantt Chart)...............................................................................................................26
11) Budget summary.................................................................................................................................27
12) References...........................................................................................................................................28

Acronyms and abbreviations

DAS: Days after Sowing

CBS: Central Bureau of Statistics
DADO: District Agriculture Development office
DOA: Department of Agriculture
FYM: Farm Yard Manure
GDP: Gross Domestic Product
HOD: Head of Department
Ha: hectare
MOALD: Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development
MS: Microsoft
MASL: Mean Above Sea Level
NMRP: National Maize Research Program
PMAMP: Prime Minister Agriculture Modernization Project
RCBD: Randomized Complete Block Design
MT: Metric Ton
VDC: Village Development Office
Executive summary
Maize is one of the most important cereal crops in the world agricultural economy both as food
for human being and feed for animals. It is the second most important staple food crop both in
terms of area and production after rice in Nepal. Nepalgunj being a terai district, maize is the
principle crop. Weed competition is one of the most important limiting factors in crop production.
Initial slow growth of maize, wider spacing and adequate moisture during rainy season provide
favorable environment for weed growth. The competitive ability weeds form a serious negative
effect in crop production and are responsible for marked losses in crop yield. Yield loss due to
weeds in maize varies from 28-93%, depending on the type of weed flora and the intensity and
duration of crop-weed competition .A field experiment will be conducted during spring season of
2021 on sandy loam soil at Dudhuwa vdc, ward number 06,Hirminia,Banke, Nepal in the field of
one of the progressive farmer Mr. Lakcchu Prasad Varma to study the effect of weed
management methods on weeds dynamics and productivity of spring maize (Zea mays L.). Seven
weed management methods namely weedy check, weed free, one hand weeding 30 DAS,
Atrazine as pre-emergence herbicide, Arazine as pre-emergence herbicide followed by one hand
weeding 25 days after sowing, Arazine as pre-emergence herbicide followed by one hand
weeding 40 DAS, Atrazine as pre-emergence herbicide followed by use of 2,4-D 30 DAS in the
spacing of 60cm*25cm which will tested in RCBD with three replication. Data like days to
emergence, days to knee height stage, days to 50% tassel emergence, days to 50% silking, cob
length, cob diameter, number of rows per cob, number of grain per cob, yield per plot, 1000
grain weight etc will be taken. For data analysis MS-excel and MSTAT-C will be used. This
study will help to select the best method of weed management techniques within the range of
economic range of farmers in terai area of Nepal and also study will help to identify the critical
period of crop-weed competition.

Key words: Maize, Weed, Yield, Banke, Terai

1) Introduction

1.1) Background introduction

Maize (Zea mays L.) is the second important cereal staple food commodity in the Nepalese
agriculture and economy after rice. Belonging to the poaceae family, also has the important
position in crop husbandry because of its higher yield potential and short duration. So, globally it
is also known as the ‘miracle crop’ or ‘Queen of cereals.’ Agriculture and forestry contribute
25.7% of total GDP of Nepal (CBS, 2076/77). Contribution in GDP and AGDP by maize is
about 3.15% and 9.5% respectively.). It is grown in about 956,447 hectares of land with
27,13,635 metric tons of total production with 2.84 mt ha-1 productivity (MOALD,2020).
Among which the banke district contributes with 20,386 mt production with the productivity
2.22 mt/ha in an area of 9,183 ha. (MOALD,2020). In the last 50 years, maize production of
Nepal had significantly increased from 761 to 2,720 thousand tones rising at an increasing
annual rate that reached a maximum of 34.12% in 1980 and then reduced by 2.64% in 2020. The
demand for the maize has increased in poultry feed industry and also in feed of human as it
contains about 72% starch, 10% protein, 4.8% oil, 9.5% fiber, 3% sugar and 1.7% ash. Among
the feed constituents of the poultry maize contributes about 60 % of its total ingredients and
around 80% of produced maize is being fed to livestock & poultry. Country’s production can
meet only 30 % of the total demand. This situation has created utmost need for producing higher
maize yield per unit area to fulfill the national demand and solve the food security problem of the
country. As our local and open pollinated varieties cannot meet the current demand, hybrid
maize with high potential yield are being introduced. It is forecasted that maize imports are
expected to reach 400,000 tones in 2021 A.D. Those hybrid varieties could be best alternative to
boost the production of maize in the given ecology. Several factors hinder the production of the
maize in the year 2019/20 i.e outbreak of the fall armyworm and COVID-19 was one of the
major reasons. Unavailability of labour, herbicide and fertilizer during the covid period leads to
reduction of production of maize.

There are several factors such as biotic and abiotic constraints to crop production, in addition to
the socioeconomic and crop management related issues. Weeds are the most important biotic
constraint to agricultural production that compete with the crops for the sunlight, water, nutrients
and space. Weed is a plant growing in the wrong place, in the wrong time i.e undesirable and that
declines yield production and quality of crop plants ultimately leading to higher cost in food
production (Pandya et al., 2005). Along with the increase in production cost, they also intensify
the disease and insect pest problem by serving as alternative hosts. Weed competition is one of
the most important limiting factors in crop production. The competitive ability weeds form a
serious negative effect in crop production and are responsible for marked losses in crop yield.
Yield loss due to weeds in maize varies from 28-93%, depending on the type of weed flora and
the intensity and duration of crop-weed competition (Sharma and Thakur, 1998). It is well
known fact that weeds through competition with crop, deprive crops of limited essential
resources prominent amongst which are nutrients. The best result of weed control can only be
seen in case of integrated weed management (Singh et, al., 2005). However, today several
research have proved that more and integrated research efforts are needed for weed management
in maize particularly at farmer’s field to disseminate a environment-friendly and resource
conservation technology to farmers under the changing socioeconomic conditions.

Herbicides are an integral part of any weed control system. Current dependence on herbicides
requires a more refined approach, particularly through correct application techniques, in order to
extend the life of many modes of action. Use of full herbicide rates, herbicide mixtures and
herbicide rotations may reduce the risk of evolution of resistance in weeds. These strategies need
particular attention in developing countries. Research also needs to be conducted on the
development and application of nanoherbicides in different cropping systems.

Table 1: Area, Production and Yield of maize in Nepal

YEAR AREA(Hectare) PRODUCTION(MT) YIELD(kg/hec)
2007/2008 870,166 1,878,648 2,159
2008/2009 875,428 1,930,669 2,205
2009/2010 875,660 1,855,184 2,119
2010/2011 906,253 2,067,522 2,281
2011/2012 871,387 2,179,414 2,501
2012/2013 849,635 1,999,010 2,353
2013/2014 928,761 2,283,222 2,458
2014/2015 882,395 2,145,291 2,431
2015/2016 891,583 2,231,517 2,503
2016/2017 900,288 2,300,121 2,555
2017/2018 915,278 2,400,215 2,605
2018/2019 9,54,158 2,555,847 2,702
2019/2020 956,447 27,13,635 2840
Source: ( MOALD)
Table 1: Area, Production and Productivity of maize of Banke District

Year Area(ha) Production (Mt.) Productivity(Mt/ha)

2011/2012 8,547 20,065 2.350
2012/2013 10,697 29,760 2.782
2013/2014 8,500 15,300 1.800
2014/2015 8,990 19,238 2.150
2015/2016 8,500 18,863 2.219
2016/2017 8,500 17,300 2.035
2019/2020 9183 20,386 2.22
Source: (MOALD)

1.2) Statement of problem

The present yield of maize in Nepal is at the minimal beside the great production potentiality.
Banke lies in mid-western terai of Nepal and maize is one of the major crops of Banke (Ministry
of Agriculture , 2017). There are many factors causing decline in productivity of maize. Weed
infestation is the one of the major problems of reduction in productivity of maize production in
terai area of Nepal. Weeds through competition with crop deprive crops of limited essential
resources prominent amongst which are nutrients. The extent of nutrient loss varies from 30-40%
of the applied nutrient (Mundra et al., 2002). Nitrogen is the first nutrient to become limiting in
most instances of weed-crop competition (Zimdahl, 1993). Thus, nutrient drain by weeds
assumes added significance in the present context of fertilizer crisis. In Nepalese condition as far
as the modern weed management strategies are concerned none are seen to be adopted by
farmers under maize based system except farmers practice of two times hand weeding at 30 DAS
and 45/60 DAS. All types of weeds like grassy weeds, broad leaved and sedges infest the maize
field at various stages of crop growth. Mainly annual weeds like Cynodon (Bermuda grass),
Digitaria and even Echinocloa, Sedges like Cyperus species and Fimbrystylis species and broad
leaf weeds such as Commelina, Ageratum, Cleome species. These species reduce the plant
height, decreases the cob length and number of grains per cob and ultimately the test weight. The
weed management practice adopted in maize is hand weeding, hoeing, earthing up, good crop
husbandry, use of inter cropping, crop rotation and use of various herbicides as sole application
etc. Hence, the scenario needs a effective intervention through genuine research findings on the
best weed management practice for the farmer to decrease crop less while increasing
productivity of maize. Also people prefer Indian hybrid variety over Nepali variety climatic and
soil unsuitability, lack of irrigation facility is main problem for spring maize cultivation.

1.3) Rationale of the study

Government of Nepal has implemented Prime Minister Agriculture Modernization project for
commercialization, mechanization and industrialization of agriculture sector at district/zone/state
level as block/zone/super zone since 2016. Banke is the emerging production hub of maize
through commercialization and mechanization, finally linking to industrialization with end
markets potentiality of maize and maize product. It is important to address the agronomic
constraints to improve the production and productivity of major crops especially for nations that
depends on agriculture. Maize is the major staple food of Nepal after rice. There is big yield gap
in maize for both hills and Terai. The national average yield of maize is 2.51t/ha but attainable
yield is lower than this. Although maize yields increased by 0.5% per year, which is not
sufficient to fulfill increasing population (1.35 % per year) demand. Increasing poultry industry
need about 664,000 mt maize per year so demand of maize increased by 11% per year. To meet
increasing maize demand for food, milk production, meat production, about 45% of total maize
consumed is imported from India. To reduce import only the option is to increase production of
maize through vertical and horizontal expansion. Weed is an important factor contributing in
reducing the yield of maize and other crop plant. Weeds responsible for marked loss (20-100%)
in maize crop yield. Therefore, control of weeds is vitally important not only to check the yield
losses caused by them but also to increase the fertilizer use efficiency. Management of weeds
through hoeing and herbicides can increase the uptake of nutrients and productivity of the crop
by decreasing the biomass and nutrient removal by the weeds. From this research we can teach
farmers to control weeds in effective manner and in the line of economics. Weed can be control
by many methods but control should be sustainable and economical. This research will help to
select the best methods to control the weed by the farmer in large scale that reduces the crop
weed competition ultimately increasing the production making the farmer better off and ensure
the food security of the nation.
1.4) Objectives

1.4.1) General objectives

 To assess growth and yield of maize in response to different weed management practices
i.e herbicide and manually weed

1.4.2) Specific objectives

 To study growth and yield response of various weed controlling methods and spacing.
 To suggest appropriate methods of weed control and better spacing in spring maize in my
zone area.
 To motivate farmer for spring maize cultivation.
 To analyze the present status of maize yield and problems in Banke.
 To uplift the income status of farmers using locally available tools.

1.5) Hypothesis
Null hypothesis
Hₒ: There is no different between treatment in growth and yield of spring maize

Alternate hypothesis
Hₐ: There is significant difference between treatment in growth and yield of spring maize
2) Literature review

Agriculture is the backbone of Nepalese economy, means of livelihood for the majority of the
Nepalese population and the source of income and employment. Agriculture contributes about
25.7% of the GDP and 65.6% for the employment (MOALD,2020)

Maize ( Zea mays L) commonly known as corn in the USA and Canada, considered as the third
most important cereal grain worldwide after wheat and rice.(Golob et al.) Maize was considered
as the future cereal for its nutritional value and utilization of its products and by-products (lee,
1999). Due to diverse uses of the corn from human food and animal fed to ethanol production,
there has been significant increase of demand of maize throughout the world (FA0,2016). Maize
per capita consumption in Nepal was 98 g/person/day (Ranum et al., 2014). Along with serving
as human food and animal feed, maize was found to be applied for industrial applications. In
addition to staple food, maize also served as a basic raw material as an ingredient to thousands of
industrial products starch, oil, protein, alcoholic beverages, food sweeteners, pharmaceuticals,
cosmetic, film, textile, gum, package and paper industries etc. (Masood, et al., 2011).

2.1) Weed flora and their effects on maize yield

There are several factors that results in the yield losses in crops due to weeds such as weed
emergence time, weed density, type of weeds, and crops, etc. Weed can result up to 100% yield
loss if left uncontrolled and unchecked. In Australia, around AUD 3.3 billion is estimated for the
overall cost of weeds for the farmers (Llewellyn et al., 2016). Weeds amounted to 2.7 million
tons of grain at a national level in the terms of the yield loss. Over 11 billion USD annually
hampers to agriculture production system due to weeds. (Gharde et al., 2018). As the weed
compete for light, water, nutrients and carbon dioxide that ultimately reduce the crop yield and
interfere with harvesting and increase the cost involved in crop production depending on the type
of weed flora, intensity and duration of crop weed competition (Oekre, 2005). There is no
significant or gain of weeding in maize after the critical period of weed removal as it can result
in up to 83% losses in grain yield (Ehsas et al., 2016). First six weeks DAS of maize is the most
critical period for crop-weed competition which may reduce the yield up to 28-100% (Daas et
al.,2012). Gopinath and Kundu (2008) reported that in order to achieve the higher yields the
weed competition during the early crop growth stages should be low. During this period,
weeding is essentially required. Physical and mechanical means of the weeding are not cost
effective i.e expensive and many times timely operations are not possible due to continuous rains
in monsoon season [Chopra and Angiras 2008)]. Density, competitiveness and emergence
periodicity of the weed population determines the critical period of the crop weed competition.
(Evans et al.,2003) ( Bystro JP et al.,2012)
Porwal (2000) observed that the winter season maize was dominated by broad leaf weeds
like Chenopodium album, C. murale, Melilotus indicia, Anagallis arvensis, Convolvulus
arvensis and Euphorbia hirta, sedges like Cyperus rotundus and grass like Cynodon dactylon.
Malvaiya and Singh (2007) observed the Cyperus rotundus, Cynodon dactylon, Eclipta alba,
Solanum nigrum, Digeria arvensis, Phyllanthus niruri, Echinochloa colonum and Commelina
benghalensis as the predominant weed species that infest the maize fields. However at 90 days
after sowing the weed species found were: Cyperus rotundus (55.08 % and 54.99%), Cynodon
dactylon (36.91% and 37.05%), Echinochloa colonum (3.91% and 4.05%) and Commelina
benghalensis (3.92% and 4.05%).Similarly, Tahir et al. (2009) observed that the major weeds in
the field of spring maize were Cyperus rotundus, Tribulus terrestris, Dactyloctenium aegyptium,
Cynodon dactylon, Fumaria indica, Chenopodium album, Convolvulus arvensis, Rumex dentatus
and Portulaca oleracea.
Sharma et al. (2000) observed that the loss in grain yield up to 42.3% in one year and 32.4%
in the succeeding year due to the uncheck weed growth of the rainfed maize. Pandey et al.,
(2001), found a serious negative impact in the crop production and the losses varying from the
28 to 100% due to kharif season maize weeds. Dangwal et al., (2011) observed that weeds
caused the devastating damaged to the producers i.e farmer which reduce the yield of maize crop
by 30.61%.

2.2) Effect of weed management on maize yield

Joshi (2004) stated that first weeding on 14 days after emergence i.e around 21 days produced
the highest plant stand (32/7.2 m-2),plant height (190 cm), crop biomass (8.1 t ha-1),the number
of ears (38888 ha-1) and grain yield\(4.3 t ha-1). He concluded that the two weeding practices
appeared to be economical in farmer field condition i.e first weeding practice done 25-30 DAS
and second weeding practices done 50-60 DAS. During the first 4 weeks, the crop canopy of the
growth of maize is inadequate to smother the weed growth due to its wider row spacing and slow
growth so the weed competition in crop field is in variably severe in early stage of crop growth
than later stage. If weed is uncontrolled between the period 15-45 days it results in the loss of 15
to 40% grain yield reduction as these periods are the critical for the weed crop competition
(Mishra, 1997). Generally, first 35 days after sowing, field should be made weed free for the
optimum yield in a crop of 100 days duration. Intensity of infestation, time of occurrence and type
of weeds determines the extent of losses caused by the weeds. (Reedy and Reddi, 1997). Both types
of weeds (narrow/grassy and broad) infest the maize field.
2.3) Atrazine
Application: used as pre- emergence or early post emergence

Mode of action: It is mostly absorbed through roots as pre-emergence application in maize and
enters the plant parts rapidly, then accumulates in the apical meristem and in chloroplasts of
susceptible weed species. Photosynthesis and enzyme reaction are inhibited by it. At first, in
mature leaves it causes foliar chlorosis showing margin inwards. It prevents the opening of
stomata in the presence of the light by reducing thickness of cell wall. Plant and root system are
weakened by the inhibition of carbohydrate synthesis resulting in subsequent death of weeds
(Kannur, 2008).

Uses: Selective preemergence herbicide for control of many broadleaf weeds and grasses in
maize, sorghum, sugarcane, pineapple, turf and orchards. However, in non-crop areas and in
minimal or no tillage programmes in maize and sorghum it is also used as non-selective
herbicides (Rao, 2000). It is recommended at the rate of 1- 4 kg actual/ ha and 10-15 kg actual/ha
as seasonal soil sterilant.

2.4 ) 2,4-D ethyl ester

2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) was the first synthetic herbicide to be commercially
developed having molecular formula C8H6Cl2O3and has commonly been used as a broadleaf
herbicide for over 60 years. It is a selective and systematic herbicide used as post emergence that
kills dicots without affecting monocots and mimics natural auxin at the molecular level.
Physiological responses of dicots sensitive to auxinic herbicides include abnormal growth,
senescence, and plant death. The identification of auxin receptors, auxin transport carriers,
transcription factors response to auxin, and cross-talk among phytohormones have shed light on
the molecular action mode of 2,4-D as a herbicide
2.5) Effects of herbicidal control on weed density and yield of maize
Shankar et al. (2015) found that the lower density and dry weight of the weeds/m 2 with the
application of atrazine (50%) @1.25 kg/ha or pendimethalin (50%) @ 2.5 lit/ha as compared to
the other chemical weed management weed treatment. Chopra and Angiras (2008) observed that
atrazine @1.5 kg ha-1 (9.8 and 13.2 no. m-2) resulted in significantly lower total weed count as
compared to unwedded check (19.4 and 21.2 no. m-2) during both (2002 and 2003, respectively)
years. Kolge et al (2004) observed that lowest weed population was with application of atrazine
@ 1kg/ha and pre emergence application of atrazine 0.5 kg/ha followed by one hand weeding at
30 DAS. Kannan and Chinnagounder [2014] reported that lower weed density was achieved
under non transgenic maize hybrid BIO 9681 and 30B11 with PE application of atrazine at 0.5
kg ha-1 fb HW at 20 DAS. Reddy et al. (2012) stated that the weed control efficiency recorded at
30 DAS was higher in atrazine + glyphosate (93%) followed by atrazine + paraquat (84%).
Glyphosate was found to be superior to atrazine in terms of cob length, number of grains/cob and
100 grains weight due to better control of weeds. The effectiveness of herbicidal control is 100%
(Mukhopadyay, 1991). A field experiment was conducted during rainy seasons (kharif) of 1998
and 1999 at the research farm at the Vishvavidyalaya, Palampur Shown that all the doses of
atrazine, i.e 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 kg/ha gave significantly lower dry weight of weeds as compared to
the weedy check. Varshney (1990) also observed Atrazine 2.0 kg/ha most effective for weed
control in maize which reduced the weed biomass by 62-70%. With delay in time of application
of atrazine commencing from pre-emergence, there was decrease in weed control efficiency and
increase in dry matter accumulation in weeds.
 3) Conceptual framework

Site selection

Meteorological Information

Field Preparation and sowing

Intercultural operation Manure and Fertilizer Application

Collection of Data

Date of emergence
Plant height
Days to 50% silking
Number of leaf/ LAI
Identification of weed
Length of cob
flora
Number of row per cob
Weed density
Number of grain per row
Yield per plot
Thousand grain weight
Data Analysis
 Preparation and Submission of Report

Fig: conceptual Framework

4) Methodology

4.1) Site selection

The research will be conducted in Dudhuwa vdc, ward number 06, Hirminia, Banke, Nepal in the
field of Mr. lakchhu Prasad Varma, one of the progressive farmers of the region. The farmers of
this region are actively involved in maize cultivation. The field area is located at 280 03' N
latitude and 810 37' E longitude in Province No.5, Mid- western Nepal. Site lies at an altitude of
150 masl with sub-tropical climate. Sandy loam type of the soil is found.
 Figure: Map depicting Research site area.

4.2) Experimental setup

Design: RCBD

Plot size: 4.2 m *2.5 m

Spacing: 60* 25 cm

Replication: 3

Treatments: 7

T1 = one hand weeding at 30 DAS

T2 = Atrazine as pre -emergence

T3 = Atrazine as pre -emergence + one hand weeding at 25 DAS

T4 = Control

T5= Weed free

T6= Atrazine as pre-emergence + 2,4- D at 30 DAS

T7 = Atrazine as pre-emergence + one hand weeding at 40 DAS

4.3) Field Layout

T1 T2 T3 T4
50cm

R1
T5 T6 T7
2.5 m

4.2 m

1m

T7 T4 T2 T6
 50 cm R2
T1 T3 T5

T3 T7 T5 T1

R3
T4 T2 T6

4.4) Variety

Rampur Hybrid -10 will be used for the cultivation i. e the released variety for general
cultivation in Terai and inner terai of Nepal. It matures in about 120-140 days which has the
yield potential of 10 t/ ha. It has been popular for its tolerant to drought, heat and some of the
insects like the stem borer and aphids.

4.5) Manure and fertilizer application

10 ton/ ha FYM will be applied to the field 20 days before sowing of the seeds. Full dose of the
phosphorous and potassium fertilizers will be placed as band placement 2-3 cm away from the
seed. ½ dose of the nitrogen will be used at the time of the seed sowing as the basal dose. The
remaining half dose of the nitrogen will be side-dressed at knee high stage and tasseling stage.
Urea, DAP, MOP will be used as the source of the nitrogen, phosphorous and the potassium.

5) Observations to be taken

5.1) Weather data during the crop season

Required data will be taken from meteorological station, khajura, Banke.

5.2) Soil characteristics

Soil sample will be taken from each replication before planting from the depth of 15 cm to
determine soil properties such as type of soil, pH, total nitrogen, available phosphorus, available
potassium, soil texture.

5.3) Date of sowing

Date sowing will be taken to find its effect on yield and crop duration.

5.4 ) Phenological Observation:

Ten plants will be tagged for taking phonological observations. The phenological data will be
taken when 50% observation occurred and ended when 75% observation completed. The
phenological observations will be recorded as;

5.4.1) Emergence:
Seed emergence will be recorded when about 50% of the seedling will have emerged out of the
soil.

5.4.2) Plant population/m2:

The plant population/m2 will be counted about 20 days after sowing.

5.4.3) Days of tasseling:

The date of tasseling will be recorded from tassel emergence to 75% of plant will have tasseled
in each plot. The mid 3 rows will be taken for each phenological observation.
5.4.4) Days of silking:
The date will be recorded from the initiation of silk to 75% silking in each plot. The silk exposed
1cm from closed ear will be considered as emerged silk. The same rows as that of tasseling
records will be taken for days of silking.

5.4.5) Days of physiological maturity:

The appearance of black layer between ear surface and ear grains and occurrence of senescence
of ear husks will be considered as an indication to physiological maturity.

5.5) Biometric observation

5.5.1) Number of Leaf:

Number of leaf per plant will be counted from 5 randomly selected plants from each plot.

5.5.2 ) Leaf area index (LAI):

Leaf area will be measured from 3 randomly selected plants from each plot at 30 DAS, 45 DAS,
60 DAS, 75 DAS, 90 DAS, 105 DAS, and at maturity. Leaves from the plants will be detached
and leaf area will be measured by leaf area meter. Then leaf area index will be calculated as:
2
Leaf area (cm )
LAI=
Land area (cm 2 )

5.5.3) Plant height:

Plant height will be measured from the ground level to the top most visible due lap of ten
randomly selected plants from each plot at 30 DAS, 45 DAS, 60 DAS, 75 DAS, 90 DAS, 105
DAS, and at maturity

5.5.4) Dry matter accumulation:

Detached leaves will be packed in the envelope and will dried in hot oven for 48 hours at the
temperature of 75 0c. The remaining portion will also be packed in the envelope and will dried in
hot oven for 48 hours at the temperature of 105 0c. Then the dry weight of whole plant will be
taken and expressed as t/ha.
5.6) Observation on weed
5.6.1) Classification/ Identification of weed flora:
Weed species found in the field will be identified at different stages and classified into the
grasses, sedges and broad leaf weeds in area.

5.6.2) Weed density/ number:

Total number of weeds from 0.3 m 2 of each net plot will be recorded at3 rd. week, 6th week and at
harvest period with the help of quadrate(0.6*0.5). Weed density will be expressed in weeds/ m2.

5.6.3) Weed dry matter:

The whole sample taken from 0.25 m2 area of each plot will be recorded at3 rd. week, 6th week
and at harvest period for dry matter. Sample will be dried in oven at 70 0c till the constant weight
obtained and expressed as g/ m2. (If not feasible then fresh weight of the weed is taken)

5.6.4) Weed control efficiency (WCE)

It is percent reduction in weed population due to weed management practices over the control
practices. The WCE will be calculated using following formula given by Mani et al. (1973)

WCE% = WPc – WPt X 100

WP

Where, WPc and WPt are weeds population (Number per sq. m) in control and treated plots
respectively

5.7) Yield attributing characters

5.7.1) Number of harvested ears:

Total number of ears harvested from net harvestable area will be recorded as harvested ears per
plot and it is converted to hectare basis.

5.7.2) Ear length and circumference:

Ten dehusked ears will be selected from each plot randomly and length from the base up to top
grain bearing portion of each ear will measure. The average of ten ears will be calculated and
expressed as ear length. The circumference of ten randomly selected ears from each plot will be
measured and average value will express as ear circumference.

5.7.3) Number of kernels per ear:

Ten randomly selected ear from each plot will be shelled and all the kernels will count. And will
be reported as number of kernels per ear.

5.7.4) Thousand Grain Weight (TGW) or Test weight:

One thousand shelled maize grains from each plot will randomly be taken, weighed and
recorded as test weight and expressed in gram (g). The kernels used for test weight will be
corrected to 15% moisture content.

5.7.5) Shelling percentage:

It is the ratio of grain to ear (grain: ear) and expressed in percentage. Five randomly selected
ears will be weighed with grains. All grains will be shelled out and the weight of grain will be
taken and the shelling percentage will be calculated as:

Grain yield (kg )

Shelling percentage = ×100
Cob yield (kg )

5.7.6) Grain moisture content (%):

Ten ears will be selected randomly and central two kernel rows will be shelled out and will bulk
the kernels from all ears and moisture will be measured by multigrain moisture meter.

5.7.7) Grain yield:

Grain yield will be calculated on hectare basis by using following formulae:

FEW× SP ×( 100 - GMC)

Grain yield (Kg ha -1 )=
NHA ×85×10

Where,

FEW = filled ears weight (Kg) SP = shelling percentage (%)

GMC = grain moisture content at harvest (%) NHA = net harvested area (m2)

5.7.8) Stover yield:

 All maize stems will be harvested from the base from the net harvested area and weighted
immediately after harvesting. Husk is also included while taking Stover yield. Stover yield will
be calculated on hectare basis in Kg ha-1.

5.7.9) Harvest index:

Harvest index (HI) will be calculated by dividing economic yield with the biological yield as per
the following formula.

HI% = (economic yield × 100)/ biological yield

5.8) Economic analysis:

5.8.1) Cost of cultivation:

Cost of cultivation will be calculated on the basis of local charges for different agro-inputs viz.,
seed, labor, fertilizer, herbicides, machines, and other necessary materials.

5.8.2) Gross return:

Economic yield (grain + stalk) will be converted into gross return (Rs/ha) on the basis of local
market prices of the particular commodity i.e maize.

5.8.3) Net return

It will be calculated by deducting the cost of cultivation from the gross return.

5.8.4 B: C ratio:
It will be calculated by following formula;

Benefit: Cost ratio = Gross return / Total cost of the cultivation

6) Data analysis
All the data collected and will be entered in Ms-excel program analyzed by using R studio and R
stat. 5% level of the significance will be considered for analysis of the variance. The regression
and correlation of the variables will be computed.
 Source of Degree of S. S M.S F- F- tabulated
variation Freedom calculated 5% level of 1% level of
significance significance
Replication r-1= 2
Treatment t-1 = 6
Error (r-1) (t-1)
=12
Total rt-1 = 20

7) Expected output

 Suitable and effective weeding technique for maximizing the yield of the maize
will be identified.
 Efficiency of the herbicides will be identified.
 Critical period of the crop weed crop competition will be identified.
 Haphazard use of the herbicide will be controlled.
 Economics of the weed control method will be determined.

8) Beneficiaries
 Maize growers of the zone area will get the primary beneficiaries.
 Identified result will also be fitted for the maize grower of similar agro ecological
region of banke district.
 Farmers will get the appropriate and economic weed management techniques for
the spring maize.
 Increasing the yield of maize, economic condition and food insecurity problem
will be improved.
 Researchers, students and the organizations working in this area will get the
secondary beneficiaries.
 Tertiary beneficiary will be the maize consumers and the businessman.

9) Risk and assumption

Risk
  Poor result may occur due to the unfavourable weather.
 Low germination due to the injury to the embryo through the attack of the different insect
like cutworms
 Damage by farm livestock, attack of different pathogens and insects especially in the
current scenario fall armyworm.
 Particular herbicide may not control all the weeds ultimately that may result the lesser
yield.

Assumption
 Parameters that will affect the germination remains constant.
 The environmental condition will remain favourable i.e weather remained suitable.
 Labour, input and funds are easily and timely available.
 Herbicide will be efficient with minimum harmful effect.

10) Work schedule (Gantt Chart)

Activities falgun chaitr baishakh jesth asar shrawan
a a

Field survey, collection of soil sample

Soil analysis

Land preparation and Layout of research field

FYM, fertilizer application

Seed and seed sowing

Intercultural operation

Data Record of growth attributes /weed

density

Observation of yield and yield attributing

characters

Harvesting and threshing

Calculation, Analysis and Interpretation of

Data

Research completion, report writing and

Report presentation

11) Budget summary

S.N Particulars Amount

(Rs.)

1 Land Preparation 1500

2 Soil sample analysis 500

3 Seed 1500

4 Plastic rope, tags, tape, poly bags, layout 2000

 5 Manure and Fertilizers 2000

6 Sowing 1500

7 Intercultural operations 2000

8 Herbicides and Spray 2000

9 Measurement of growth parameters and yield attributing characters 1500

10 Transportation Cost 4000

11 Stationary, Photocopies, printing, etc. 6000

12 Harvesting and Threshing 2000

Sub total 26500

Contingency (10%) 2650

Total 29,150

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