Weed Management in Maize
Keywords:
maize, weed control, integrated weed management, herbicides, resistanceAbstract
Weed control in maize (Zea mays L.) is a key factor in achieving high and stable yields, as weeds compete with crops for nutrients, water, space and light, thereby reducing productivity and production quality. Traditional practices, based mainly on synthetic herbicides, remain dominant in intensive farming systems. Growing concerns about weed resistance, environmental impacts, and legislative restrictions are driving the search for alternative solutions. Currently, integrated weed management (IWM) is being promoted, combining chemical, mechanical, cultural, and biological methods. Promising trends include the use of precision farming, which allows for the targeted application of herbicides using sensors and drones (only in countries where this is legal), thereby reducing pesticide consumption and the risk of soil contamination. Another direction is biological weed control using allelopathic plants or microbial preparations that suppress weed seed germination. Mulching with organic materials and intercropping, which limit the formation of weed seed reserves, also play an important role. Modern research focuses on the use of artificial intelligence to predict the critical period of weed competition for the cultivated crop. These innovations are aimed at sustainable maize cultivation systems that minimize negative environmental impacts while ensuring economic efficiency of production. Currently, the most commonly used herbicide active ingredients in maize are, for example: dicamba, nicosulfuron, rimsulfuron, dimethenamid, and pendimethalin. These (and other) active ingredients are used in combination as a pre-emergence application followed by one or two post-emergence applications. Pre-emergence application immediately after sowing the soil is intended to control the so-called first wave of weeds; however this type of herbicide requires sufficient rainfall to activate. Therefore, the integration of diversified agronomic practices with well-timed herbicide use remains essential for achieving effective and sustainable weed control.
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