Integrated Weed Management for Maize Crop in Croatia

Abstract

Concern about the effects of herbicides on the environment is the main stimulus to reduce their use in maize (Zea mays L.). Field research was conducted over two years to evaluate the efficacy of integrated weed management combining two seedbed practices at planting (no-till vs. tilled seedbeds), mechanical (0-3 inter-row cultivations) and chemical (none, band- and broadcast applied herbicide) methods on maize grain yield. Although seedbed practice had no effect on crop emergence, tilled seedbeds tended to produce larger grain yield than no-till seedbeds because of better control of early germinating weeds. Consequently, grain yield in no-till seedbeds consistently increased with each cultivation up to three passes because of improved weed control. However, the largest yield in tilled seedbeds occurred with two cultivations and then slightly decreased following third cultivation pass. Band herbicide application (50 % reduction in herbicide use compared to broadcast application) resulted in higher yield than one cultivation alone, whereas opposite responses occurred after multiple cultivation passes. Grain yield responded positively to one and two cultivation passes even when weeds were controlled by pre-emergence chemical method. Our findings indicated that banded herbicide application provided effective weed control in maize crop when complemented with two inter-row cultivations regardless of the method of seedbed preparation; thus making a viable option for Croatian farmers to lower herbicide load on the environment.