Influence of Chemical and Integrated Weed Management on Yield and Yield Components of Grain Maize and Weed Population in Northern ‎Khuzestan

In order to investigate the effects of chemical and integrated weed management on yield and yield components of grain maize and weed population, the study has been conducted as a randomized complete block design with three replications in 2018-19 in Shavar Research Center in Shavar region of Shousha city. Treatments include unweeded (control), hand weeding, 1.5 liters of atrazine, 1 liter of atrazine + straw mulch, 175 g of ultima, 150 g of ultima + straw mulch, 1.5 liter 2,4-D + MCPA, 1 liter 2,4-D + MCPA + straw mulch, 1.5 liters cruise, and 1 liter of cruise + straw mulch. Results show that the highest grain yield has been obtained in hand weeding treatment as well as 1 liter of cruise + straw mulch by 14.4 and 13.2 t ha-1, respectively. The highest biological yield is recorded in hand weeding treatment (31.5 t ha-1). In case of harvest index, 1.5 liters of cruise show the highest value (55.7%), followed by 1.5 liters of 2,4-D + MCPA and 1.5 liters of atrazine by 53.6% and 47.7%, respectively. In terms of weed population dynamics, hand weeding, and 1 liter of cruise + straw mulch cause the greatest decrease in weed population and dry weight which reduce crop competition and increase productivity. In general, based on the results, the adoption of integrated approaches (chemical + cultural + mechanical) can make a significant contribution to increasing corn yield and reducing environmental pollution.