Efficacy of pre-emergence in combination with post-emergence herbicides on weed control in maize

Abstract

Weed is the major problem of maize production that causes yield reduction due to weed-crop competition for some plant growth factors. Therefore, the efficacy of pre-emergence in combination with post-emergence herbicides on weed control in maize was studied at the National Corn and Sorghum Research Center, Pak Chong, Nakhon Ratchasima in early rainy season 2017 (July 15, 2017 – November 24, 2017) and late rainy season 2017 (September 15, 2017– January 24, 2018). The experiment was arranged in randomized complete block design with 10 treatments and three replications. Treatments consisted of pre-emergence herbicides; nicosulfuron and pendimethalin in combination with post-emergence herbicides; nicosulfuron, ametryn, fluoxypyr and paraquat compared with hand-weeded and no herbicide (control). The result showed that all treatments of pre-emergence herbicides in combination with post-emergence herbicides did not toxic on maize. Grassy weeds; Rottboellia cochinchinensis (Lour.) Clayton, broadleaved weeds; Euphorbia heterophylla L., Commelina benghalensis L. and nutsedge; Cyperus rotundus Linn. were found in the field. The application of pre-emergence in combination with post-emergence herbicides on weed control in maize, either nicosulfuron or pendimethalin at 1 day after planting follow by nicosulfuron or ametryn or fluroxypyr or paraquat, had an efficacy to control weed for 90 days after planting that could be controlled weed higher than 70% and did not reduce to growth and yield of maize.