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Impact of selective weeding on maize productivity in major and minor seasons – a comparative analysis from the Asian humid tropics

Summary
Weed management is vital in tropical food cropping systems to minimize competition for scare resources, especially under smallholder farming conditions, where hand weeding using family labor is a common feature. Hence, selective weeding could be practiced to maintain weed populations below economic threshold levels, and minimize competition. Field studies were initiated under rainfed conditions of Sri Lanka over the major and minor seasons that correspond to the two monsoons to determine the impact of selective weeding on growth and yields of maize (Zea mays L), the most popular highland cereal in these regions. The lack of weed control measures or the presence of the most abundant grass weeds reduced growth and yields of maize irrespective of the season. The adverse effects of the low number of sedges (Cyperaceae) was minimal, and that of broadleaves was lower than the impact of grasses. Comparative analysis of the effects of weeds in the two seasons highlighted the greater adverse effect in the minor season when the crop is subjected to water stress conditions. The weed numbers were greater, which affected the growth and yields of maize to a greater extent. However, the adverse effects of the different weed types did not change with seasons. The feasibility of adopting selective weeding to minimize adverse effects in rainfed farming systems of the humid tropics for procuring high yields is presented on the basis of this study. In contrast, clean weeding could develop other effects such as erosion

german version

Keywords/Stichworte:Weeds; selective weeding; maize; major and minor seasons; humid tropics

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Autor:U.R. SANGAKKARA, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya, 20400 Sri Lanka;
P. STAMP, Institute of Plant Sciences, LFW, ETHZ, Zurich 8092, Switzerland

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