ASSESSING TWO WINTER COVER CROPS FOR WEED CONTROL IN REDUCED TILLAGE MAIZE ESTABLISHMENT

摘要

One of the important challenges in Maize (Zea mays L.) establishment is weed pressure control, therefore in this study we aimed at assessing whether cover crops alone can control weeds and improve maize stand establishment in reduced- tillage system and whether Maister~(OD) herbicide treatments should be applied or not. To find out, we conducted some field experiments at the Agriculture, Natural Resources Research and Education Station in Moghan, Ardabil province in Iran in 2015-2017 using split plot design with three replications. The main plots consisted of three cover crop treatments [Vetch (Vicia villosa L.), Clover (Trifolium incarnatum L.) and Fallow (No cover crop). The sub-plots were Maister~(OD) herbicide deferments (applied 1.5 L/ha and No Herbicide) as post emergence application. Vetch and Clover provided more effective weed control than no cover crop; however, soil coverage and biomass clover was also lower in cover crops. Maize yield, however it was significantly lower in non-treated herbicide and no cover crops plots (7 Ton ha~(-1)) than plots 100% herbicides with cover crops (9 Ton ha~(-1)). The study showed that supplemental herbicide application is needed with using cover crops to improve Maize establishment.