Problems in weed control in Serbian maize seed production

Abstract

Weed control in the seed maize production is facing some specific problems. Maize inbred lines are known to be susceptible to many stress factors, including actively growing weeds and some herbicides. The slower growth of maize inbreds, as well as, the open space between rows provide favourable conditions for emergence and growth of weeds during the whole growing season. Herbicide combinations applied in the seed maize production are the same as those applied in the commercial maize production, but, their efficiency is differently expressed in these crops. Environmental factors significantly affect weeds and maize development, as well as, herbicides affect maize inbred lines. The introduction of sulfonylurea herbicides, controlling grass weeds, has resulted in susceptibility of a greater number of maize inbred lines. Therefore, it was found that reaction of maize inbred lines gives a wide variability to sulfonilurea herbicides. Considering specificity of maize inbred lines, this study presents some problems in weed control in maize seed production.