Weed infestation and its biodiversity under the influence of different herbicide variants application in maize cultivation

Abstract

CThe main objective of Integrated Pest Management is to minimize the negative impact of pesticide use on the environment. For this purpose, technologies are developed that involve reducing doses of herbicides whose efficacy can be enhanced by adding adjuvants. This field study aimed to determine the weed control efficacy of herbicide applied at reduced doses in relation to full dose at different growth stages of maize. In the experiment, pre-emergence herbicide was applied at stage BBCH 00, while a post-emergence herbicide was at the 3, 6, or 8 leaves of maize. The herbicides were applied at doses reduced to 60% or 80% with adjuvants or at a full dose. The study has shown that pre-emergence or early post-emergence (in BBCH 13) application of the herbicide had the most beneficial effect on reducing the number and biomass of weeds in maize. The use of the doses reduced by 20% with the addition of adjuvant gave the same weed-killing effect as a 100% dose.