The effect of cover crops, tillage and herbicide on weed control, soil properties, yield and yield components of corn (Zea mays L)

In order to study different tillage systems, winter cover crops and their effect on improving soil quality and maize weeds, a split-factorial experiment using randomized complete block design was conducted at Agricultural Research and Education Center of Ardebil province (Moghan) during two years to evaluate the effect of winter cover crops, tillage and dosage of MaisTer Herbicide. Two types of tillage system in the main plot conventional tillage and no tillage. The cover treatments including vetch (Vicia villosa L.), Crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum L), Rye (Secale cereale), barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), Rapeseed (Brassica napus) and no-cover crop, as well as reduced dosage of MaisTer® herbicide were placed in a factorial arrangement subplot. percentage of soil organic matter in the system no tillage was 13.72% higher than conventional tillage. Cover crops reduced the total winter weed density by more than 55% in both years compared to the control without cover crops. Yield of corn in the first and second year were 7.89 and 8.46 tons per hectare, respectively, and this increase in yield in the no-till system was 10.22 percent higher than the conventional tillage system. vetch increased corn yield by 30% more than other plants. Consumption of half dose of Meister regrowth herbicide at 3-4 leaves of corn did not differ statistically from its recommended dose. In general, cultivation of hairy vetch in the fall along with no-till method by applying half the dose of Meister herbicide in corn, can increase soil fertility, reduce corn weed density and production costs.