IMPACT OF MULCHING TYPES ON WEED INFESTATION, GROWTH PARAMETERS, AND YIELD COMPONENTS OF MAIZE (Zea mays L.) DURING RAINY SEASON

This experiment was conducted at the Agronomy Farm, Yezin Agricultural University, Myanmar, to evaluate the effects of different mulching types on weed infestation, maize growth, and yield. The study followed a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications and seven treatments: control (no mulch), cowpea mulch, green gram mulch, lablab bean mulch, maize stover mulch, rice straw mulch, and black plastic mulch, using the maize variety CP 808. All mulch treatments significantly reduced weed density and dry weight compared to the control at 15, 35, 55, and 75 days after sowing (DAS). The lowest weed dry weight was observed under black plastic mulch, followed by rice straw and maize stover mulch. Among living mulches, cowpea mulch was most effective in suppressing weeds. Significant variations were also recorded in total dry matter (TDM), leaf area index (LAI), and crop growth rate (CGR). Maize stover mulch produced the highest TDM at vegetative and tasseling stages, while cowpea mulch had the highest TDM at the grain-filling stage. The highest LAI occurred under black plastic mulch at the vegetative stage and cowpea mulch at grain filling. CGR was highest under black plastic mulch from vegetative to tasseling and under lablab bean mulch from tasseling to grain filling. Cowpea mulch produced the highest grain yield, followed by green gram mulch. Overall, cowpea mulch exhibited superior performance, second with green gram mulch, indicating their potential for improving weed control, growth, and grain yield of maize during the rainy season.