Weeds are among the major production constraints of maize globally. Farmers in Uganda predominantly depend on conventional tillage and they are not aware of alternative means of controlling weeds. Therefore the main objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of weed control strategies on weed management and maize performance. Conventional tillage, preemergence herbicide application weed control strategies (and a control of no weeding) were tested for their efficacy in controlling weeds in maize. Seeds of Longe 5 maize variety were planted on 20/04/2021 in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications at Makerere University Agricultural Research Institute Kabanyolo (MUARIK). The analysis of variance (ANOVA) for the data of this study showed that weed control strategies had no significant effect on number of rows per cob, cob length and number of leaves per plant. Nonetheless, weed control strategies significantly increased plant height, number of ears per plant, number of grains per row, 1000 grain weight and maize grain yield. Whereas, weed vigour and weed density per square metre were reduced significantly. Conventional tillage produced the tallest plants, highest number of ears per plant, highest number of grains per row, highest 1000 grain weight, highest grain yield and lowest weed vigour and density per square metre. However, values for plant height, number of grains per row, grain yield and weed density were statistically similar to those obtained in herbicide treatment. The results of conventional tillage were opposite to those of the weedy check. Conventional tillage was the most effective weed control strategy among the three weed control strategies of this study. I therefore recommend that the farmers use conventional tillage as the most effective strategy for controlling weeds in maize since it produced the highest values for maize growth and yield parameters.

show more