WEED MANAGEMENT USING ORGANIC MULCHES ON MAIZE CROP

WEED MANAGEMENT USING ORGANIC MULCHES ON MAIZE CROP

Weeds are among the most serious problems in maize crop cultivation. here are the detailed explanations about organic weed management in maize crop field

Weed

An individual plant or plant species that grows where humans do not wish it to grow

Weed management      

Weed management is about changing crop management practices that may be giving the weed an advantage over crops. 

Mulch

any material that is spread on the surface of the soil to protect the soil and plant roots from  effects of raindrops, soil crusting, weed growth, evaporation, and other stresses including freezing).

TYPES OF ORGANIC MULCHES

A: Dead Organic mulches

These are derived from plant residues in our practical we used the following ;

• Rice husk ( 15 cm depth)
• Dry mango leaves (10 cm depth)
• Mixed dry weed residues (15cm depth)

• Dry banana leaves (complete ground cover)

B: Living Mulches (Cover crops)

An actively growing crop that is maintained as a cover in the field and is grown as a companion to the commercial crop during the season and/or during off season ; in our practical we used the following Living organic mulches

• Pumpkin (as a cover crop)
• Mucuna (as a cover crop )

 DESIRABLE CHARACTERISTICS OF COVER CROPS

•          Rapid establishment to provide early weed and erosion control

•          Compatible, non-aggressive

•          Tolerance to field traffic

•          Tolerance to drought and low fertility

•          Can tolerate mowing to suppress growth & residues used as mulch

ADVANTAGES OF USING ORGANIC MULCHES

• An excellent mulch for water conservation
• Mini-nuggets conserve moisture better than large nuggets. They also stay seated better on the landscape than large nuggets.
• Provides a durable, long-lasting mulch.
• An over-looked and readily available mulch. Shredded leaves stay seated better on the landscape and conserve moisture better than unshredded leaves.
• Recycle nutrients.
• An acceptable and economical mulch where available.

MAJOR LIMITATIONS WITH ORGANIC MULCHES

• Procurement of sufficient quantities for large fields
• Transportation
• Labour requirements for collecting and applying the mulch
• The mulch may serve as trap for other animal pests of crops including termites

Organic farming principles and standards preclude the use of chemical herbicides

Biological herbicides (if available) can be used, A properly implemented weed management program can turn most weeds into beneficial organic matter (decayed remains of the plants – composting, Can use the same weeds to control subsequent growth of weeds in future.