Weed suppression and crop productivity by different arrangement patterns of maize

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted in order to estimate the influence of different arrangement patterns of maize plants (Zea mays L.) in combination with low rates of herbicides on weed infestation and on production parameters of the crop. The maize was sown at 70-, 50-, and 35-cm row space with the same crop density. The weed biomass declined with smaller row spaces and was, on average, the lowest with the 35-cm row space; even though the arrangement patterns of the maize plants had no significant effect on the average values of the weed biomass. The interaction of the arrangement pattern and the herbicide rate significantly influenced weed biomass. Maize grain yield expressed the greatest variation under the effects of applied factors, but did not differ significantly between treatments with the full and the half rate of herbicides. The results indicate that it is possible to control weed infestation level if maize is grown with increased spatial uniformity and combined application of other practices such are herbicides. In such a way, maize plants are more competitive against weeds and even lower amounts of herbicides could be applied in order to achieve high yields.