The influence of maize – winter wheat rotation and pre-emergence herbicides on weeds and maize productivity
Abstract
Crop rotation is a simple and effective part of an Integrated Weed Management (IWM) system. This approach
makes it possible to rotate herbicides with different modes of action (MOA), avoiding or postponing herbicide
resistance. Besides all the known advantages and benefits, it is still not widely used in maize (Zea mays L.)
production. In Serbia, about 20% of total maize production is a continuous cropping. The aim of this research
was to test the benefits of growing maize in crop rotation with winter wheat (Triticum vulgare L.) compared with a
continuous cropping, combined with pre-emergence herbicide application. Field trials started in 2009, and five
maize-winter wheat rotations have been completed. Weeds were controlled with a herbicide mixture of isoxa flutole and S-metolachlor, applied at either the full label rate or half rate, while one plot was kept weed free
(manually), and one was a control. Integrating crop rotation and PRE herbicides decreased the biomass of ...weeds
and their density by 98% and 99%, respectively. In continuous maize, perennial weeds became dominant after
the first rotation. Crop rotation significantly influenced maize productive parameters, decreasing the variation in
leaf area index and grain yield, increasing values with the number of cycles. The biggest differences in the
analyzed parameters were observed in 2015, 2017 and 2019, indicating many positive long-term benefits of crop
rotation on maize leaf area index and grain yield.
Keywords:
corn / herbicides / integrated weed management / continuous croppingSource:
Crop protection, 2021, 143Publisher:
- Elsevier