Comparison of Different Planting Patterns of Maize (Zea mays L.) on Weed Control

To evaluate the effect of different planting patterns on weed control in corn, an a RCBD experiment with 4 replications carried out at Karaj in RCBD with 4 replications in Karaj, Iran in 2011. Experimental treatments included: Ridge planting (band spraying; once cultivator in 45 cm corn height; twice cultivators in 25 & 45 cm corn height; hand weeding; weedy check) and bed planting (full spraying; band spraying; replacing ridge by furrow in 25 cm corn height stage; hand weeding; weedy check). The results showed that the efficiency of mechanical treatments (twice cultivators and replacing ridge by furrow) in reducing of to reduce the density of Jimsonweed (Datura stramonium) and Lambsquaters (Chenopodium album) and dry weight of lambsquaters was more than of the band spraying and full spraying treatments. Among ridge planting treatments, ridge planting twice cultivators and among bed planting treatments, bed planting full spraying were the best treatments to control of barnyardgrass (Echinochloa crus-galli) and Johnsongrass (Sorghum halepense). In general, ridge planting twice cultivators were the best treatment to control of the grass and broadleaf weeds. Grain yields obtained from bed planting replacing ridge by furrow were the same with similar to bed planting full spraying and ridge planting band spraying treatments. Among the non-chemical control methods, bed planting replacing ridge by furrow and ridge planting twice cultivators had the highest yield respectively. Also, Besides maize biological yield was similar in bed planting replacing ridge by furrow treatment with hand weeding, as well as and also biological yield of ridge planting twice cultivators with were similar to chemical control treatments. Totally, it seems that by choosing the right approperate tools in mechanical control methods (like ridge planting and twice cultivators or bed planting and replacing ridge by furrow) while managing the weeds, weed management, can could be effective step towards in production healthy crops.