Effect of Ametryn Herbicide and Soil Organic Matter Content on Weed Growth, Herbicide Persistence, and Yield of Sweet Corn (Zea mays)

Abstract

This study examines the impact of weeds on sweet corn, where weeds compete for essential elements, such as nutrients, water, sunlight, and space for growth. In general, the use of herbicides is meant to suppress weed growth. Soil organic matter is important for plant growth and affects herbicide persistence. This study aimed to explore the interaction between ametryn herbicide and soil organic matter content and its impacts on weed growth, herbicide persistence, and sweet corn yield. The experiment was initiated in 2022 at the Experimental Station of the Faculty of Agriculture, Padjadjaran University, Indonesia, using a Split-Plot Design in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD), with three replicates. The experiments consisted of three levels of organic matter, i.e., low, medium, and high, and six levels of ametryn herbicide at 0.0 (control), 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, and 2.5 kg a.i./ha. The results indicated that the apparent interaction between ametryn herbicide doses of 1.5, 2.0, and 2.5 kg a.i./ha and the three levels of the organic matter content totally suppressed weed growth. However, the effects of the interaction between ametryn herbicide and organic matter content on the herbicide persistence and the sweet corn yield were not obvious. Ametryn yielded excellent positive results on sweet corn yield. Bioassay analysis showed that the lowest persistence of ametryn herbicide was in line with the highest content of organic matter.