Effect of Cogongrass (Imperata cylindrica) Extract Concentration on Controlling Itchgrass (Rottboellia exaltata) in Maize (Zea mays) Growth

Abstract

The presence of weeds is one of the problems in maize cultivation. One type of weed commonly found in maize cultivation is Rottboellia exaltata. To control Rottboellia exaltata, a bioherbicide derived from Imperata cylindrica weed can be used. This study aimed to determine the effect of Imperata cylindrica extract concentration on controlling Rottboellia exaltata weed in maize (Zea mays) plants. This study used a one-factor Randomized Block Design (RBD) consisting of 6 treatments of Imperata cylindrica weed extract, namely P0 (control), P1 (20%), P2 (40%), P3 (60%), P4 (80%), and P5 (100%). The results showed that the P5 treatment, with an Imperata cylindrica extract concentration of 100%, was the best treatment in inhibiting the growth of Rottboellia exaltata weed, as measured by weed height, number of weed leaves, fresh weight of weed, and dry weight of weed. This resulted in the P5 treatment (100%) being the best treatment for maize plant height at 6 and 8 WAP, number of maize leaves at 6 and 8 WAP, and fresh weight of maize and dry weight of maize.