Examination of the Ecological and Economic Impacts in Maize Culti

Abstract

The aim of this thesis is to detemine wheather maize planted at reduced row spacing of 50 cm or at the conventional 76 cm spacing proves to the more advantageous choice in term of the economic efficienly of cultivation. A further objective of the study was to determine, from an aecological perspective, whether maize planted at reduced row spacing truly possesses better weed-suppresing capacity than maize planted at the conventionak spacing. I examined the weed-suppressing capacity from perspective of whether, in the cultivation of maize sown at narrower row spacing, it is possible to use a reduced amount of herbicides for weed control while maintaining adequate effectiveness. The research focused on weed control in maize, a crop where competition from weeds durung the early stages of development can lead to significiant yiel reductions. The experiment were carried out is 2024, at various growth stages of the crop, and analysed both the weed flora and maize yields across different experimental plots.

The result demonstrated that narrow row spaicing significantly reduced weed growth, as the closer planting distance enabled maize plants to achieve faster canopy closure, thereby enhancing weed suppression. As a result, the need for weed control enterventions can be reduced, contributing to a more suistainable agricultural practice in the long term. In yield comparisons, it was found that narrow row spacing, particulary in favourable years, ensured higher average yields than wider spacing. However, the markedly drought-prone weather conditions of 2024 also underscored the importance of rainfall distribution of maize development.

 In conclusion, the reseach revealed that narrow row spacing in maize cultivation is a more economically viable production method, resulting in higher yields. Its also provides more effective weed control, thereby representing a more environmentally friendly approach.