Investigate the effect of mixing nicosulfuron herbicide with salicylic acid and cocowet adjuvant on growth and yield of corn (Zea mays L.) and weeds control

In order to investigate the effect of mixing nicosulfuron herbicide with salicylic acid and cocowet adjuvant on growth, yield and weeds control in corn, a field experiment was conducted as factorial based on randomized complete block design with three replications at the research field of Shahrood University of Technology. Factors were including weed control method (A) at four levels, control (a1), weeding (a2), consuming 1 liter of herbicide (nicosulfuron) (a3) and consuming 2 liters of herbicide (a4) and salicylic acid (B) in two levels, 0.7 mM salicylic acid (b1) and the absence of salicylic acid (b2) and cocowet (C) in two levels, consumption of 2 liters per hectare cocowet (c1) and absence of cocowet (c2). The results showed that the maximum plant height (143.2 cm) and leaf area index (7.76) was obtained with combined use of salicylic acid and cocowet. Also the highest grain (7528 kg.ha-1) and biological (20490 kg.ha-1) yield was observed in weeding × salicylic acid consumption treatment. The results indicated that no significant difference was observed in grain yield and total weed density between the cocowet + reduced herbicide dose (1 L.ha-1) with recommended herbicide dose (2 L.ha-1). Based on the results of present study, application of cocowet in combination with reduced dose of herbicide can be an effective method of weeds control and increase growth and yield of crop and also reduce herbicide consumption.