Abstract

Field experiments were conducted in 2013 during main cropping season at Ambo and Guder to determine the effect of different post and pre emergency herbicides application on weed dynamics in maize (Zea mays L.) variety, BH-660 in randomized complete block design with three replications. Six treatments including Nicosulfuron (Arrow 75 WDG) at 0.09 kg ha^-1+ silwet gold (adjuvant) at 0.10%, S-metolachlor 290 + Atrazine (Primagram) at 3.00 kg ha^-1, s-metolachlor (dual gold) 1.5 kgha^-1, hand weeding as standard check and weedy check as control were used. Effect of different herbicides on weed density was significant. The lowest weed density was recorded in plot treated with hand weeding and hoeing (3.12 m^-2) followed by Nicosulfuron (18.67 m^-2) and Primagram (3.88 m^-2). But, the maximum was recorded in weedy check (14.16 m^-2). However, no significant difference was observed between Nicosulfuron and Primagram. The minimum dry weight of weeds (0.77 gm^-2) was observed in hand weeding and hoeing followed by Nicosulfuron which is not significantly different from s-metolachlor. Moreover, those treatments also significantly increased the yield and yield component of maize. This is an indication of the reliability and promise as well as the exhibition of the great potential of the Nicosulfuron is the effective control of the weeds and enhancing yield of maize in Guder and Ambo, Ethiopia.

Keywords: Atrazine; Nicosulfuron; Primagram; Silwet gold; Zea mays