Effect of seed priming and weed management on yield and yield components of maize (Zea mayz L.)

In order to investigate the effect of integrated weed management on yield and yield components of maize (SC704) an experiment was conducted at the research field of Shahrood University of Technology as randomized complete blocks design with four replications. The treatments were; weed free, weedy, recommended herbicide dose (nicosulfuron 80 g.a.i. ha-1), hydro priming + reduced herbicide dose (nicosulfuron 40 g.a.i. ha-1), hydro priming + weeding 6 weeks after crop emergence, hydro-priming, hydro-priming + priming with salicylic acid + reduced herbicide dose, priming with salicylic acid, priming with salicylic acid + weeding, priming with salicylic acid + reduced herbicide dose, hydro-priming + priming with salicylic acid + weeding. The results indicated that no significant difference was observed in density and biomass of weeds between the combinations treatments (priming with salicylic acid + reduced herbicide dose and hydro-priming + priming with salicylic acid + weeding 6 weeks after emergence) and herbicide recommended dose treatment. Hydro-priming + reduced herbicide dose increased the biological yield by 25 and 45 percent in comparison to herbicide recommended dose and weed free treatments, respectively. The results indicated that hydro priming + reduced herbicide dose and priming with salicylic acid + reduced herbicide dose of nicosulfuron increased grain yield by 45.3% in comparison to weedy treatment. Based on the results of this experiment, seed priming in combination with reduced dose of herbicide and or with weeding, can effectively control weeds and increase crop yield and also reduce herbicide consumption.