Increasing forage yield and effective weed control of corn-soybean mixed forage for livestock through using by different herbicides

The aim of this study was to evaluate different herbicides for optimum growth, yield and nutritive value of corn-soybean mixed forage under randomized complete block design. The experimental site was selected and divided equally into 3 blocks. Each block was further divided into 5 plots that each plot had 15 square meter space (3 × 5). Five herbicidal treatments were randomly applied over 5 plots and herbicides were used under 5 herbicidal treatments, viz. 1) No herbicide (control); 2) Pendimethalin; 3) Linuron; 4) S-metolachlor and 5) Ethalfluralin. The collected data were analyzed using ANOVA through SAS 9.1.3 software. The results indicated that growth characteristics were not influenced (p > 0.05) by any herbicide. However, arithmetically corn stalk height was highest in the field of Pendimethalin treatment, whereas highest soybean height was found in the field of S-metolachlor. Arithmetically dry matter (DM) yield was increased with herbicidal treatments as compared to that of control treatment. Relatively highest DM yield (130%) was recorded in the treatment of Ethalfluralin followed by Pendimethalin (126%), S-metolachlor (126%) and Linuron (108%) as compared to that of control treatment. The weed emergence was significantly reduced in all herbicidal treatments as compared to that of control (p > 0.05), but the difference among herbicidal treatments was non-significant. It was concluded that weed emergence can be effectively controlled by use of any tested herbicide. However, optimum DM yield can be achieved through using herbicides; Ethalfluralin, Pendimethalin and S-metolachlor.