Efficacy of 4 Post-emergence Herbicides Applied at Reduced Dosages in Summer Maize (Zea mays L.) Field in North China Plain

Publication Type

Journal contribution (peer reviewed)

Authors

Zhang, Jinwei and Zheng, Li and Jäck, Ortrud and Yan, Dayu and Zhang, Zongjian and Gerhards, Roland and Ni, Hanwen

Year of publication

2013

Published in

Crop Protection

Band/Volume

52/

ISBN / ISSN / eISSN

0261-2194

DOI

10.1016/j.cropro.2013.05.001

Page (from - to)

26-32

Field experiments were conducted in 2010 and 2011 in a typical location of North China Plain to evaluate weed control efficacy of four post-emergence herbicides nicosulfuron, mesotrione, topramezone and the combination of mesotrione/ nicosulfuron when they were applied at reduced doses at different weed growth stages. Experimental results showed that nicosulfuron, topramezone and the combination of mesotrione/nicosulfuron provided better weed control efficacy than mesotrione when they were applied at their label recommended doses at the 2- to 3-leaf and 4- to 5-leaf stages of weeds; nicosulfuron and mesotrione/nicosulfuron could at least be reduced by 33% and topramezone reduced by 67% without sacrificing total weed control efficacy and maize grain yield. Nicosulfuron and its combination with mesotrione could effectively control broadleaved and grass weeds when their doses were reduced by 67% and by 33%, respectively. Topramezone could effectively control broadleaved and grass weeds when its dose was reduced by 67%. The efficacy of mesotrione in controlling grass weeds was bad even at the label recommended dose. All four herbicides tested did not affect the maize grain yield.