WEED-COMPETITION EFFECTS ON MAIZE FODDER PRODUCTION SOWN UNDER DIFFERENT SEEDING DENSITIES.

Weeds cause significant reduction in palatability and nutritive value of fodders. Evaluation of critical weed control period is important to insure high yield and quality of fodders. A field study was conducted to determine the effects of weed competition on fodder maize sown at different seed rates. Two factors i.e. seed rate (100 kg ha^-1and 125 kg ha^-1) and weeds competition period (zero competition, competition for 2 weeks after emergence (WAE), competition for 3 WAE, competition for 4 WAE, competition for 5 WAE and competition for full season) were considered. The maximum number of weeds (201.81 plants m^-2) was recorded when maize fodder was sown at seed rate of 100 kg ha^-1 and weed competition with maize was until5 WAE. However, more weed-dry weight was recorded when maize fodder was sown using seed rate 100 kg ha^-1 and full season weed competition was allowed. The more leaves per plant (16.18), green fodder yield (74.72 t ha^-1), dry matter yield (16.62 t ha^-1), crude protein (8.38%) were recorded when maize fodder was kept weed free throughout the growing season, while maximum crude fiber (35.96 %) was recorded when weeds were allowed to compete with maize fodder throughout the growing season.As far as seed rate was concerned, maximum leaves per plant (14.18), green fodder yield (57.77 t ha^-1), dry matter yield (12.96 t ha^-1) and crude fiber (35.06 %)were recorded when maize fodder was sown using seed rate 125 kg ha^-1. In conclusion, weeds must be controlled till four weeks of crop emergence for better maize fodder production with seed rate of 125 kg ha^-1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]