Agronomic management

After rice, maize may be planted with a zero-till seed drill, turbo happy seeder, or combo happy seeder without any field operation with minimal disturbance of the soil and the surface residues.
Application of Atrazine (1kg a.i./ ha) or Pendimethalin (1kg a.i./ ha) or tank mix application of Atrazine + Pendimethalin (500 g a.i. each / ha) or Alachlor + Atrazine (1.25 kg+ 375g a.i. / ha) can effectively control annual weeds in rabi maize.
Simultaneous planting of green gram/black gram as a cover crop on either side of maize row on beds is effective in controlling complex weed flora.
Rice - maize cropping system can be further intensified with the introduction of cowpea as a third crop in the system to reduce the N requirement of the system by incorporation in the rice crop.