Economic Efficiency of Different Weed Control Strategies in Maize

Abstract

SUMMARY Because the corn crop is cultivated on a very wide surface in different pedo-climatic areas, the weed infestation differs very much in th e country. Variations are bigger if we observe the ratio of certain weed species towards o ther, the monocotyledonous species towards the dicotyledonous, the annual towards the perennial etc.; thus, the selection of the right strategy for weed control has to be made in t he real local conditions and in the real economic and ecological indicators. From the considerations that: the characteristic w eed flora for corn is variable in the territory; the climatic conditions are variable as well; the herbicide effect can vary (is related to their adequate selection, their application tech nique and the weather); safety of the agroecosystem, animal and human health are also variabl e (in relation to many natural and anthropic factors, among other things being the rig ht approach of weed control methods in the agriculture crops); the profit of corn crop farmers varies depending on the fact that the technological steps of crop are correctly applied a nd on the local condition - by these researches, we envisage to clarify certain aspects concerning the efficacy of the pre and postemergence weed control strategies in corn crop for the high meadow area of Alba County and to setting the minimal elements for research extens ion. 38 variants of weed control in maize (grouped in 6 distinctly strategies) were tested in 2004-2007 period in a two factorial stationary expe riment. Four of the strategies were based on post-emergence weed control methods and two of them ‐ on pre-emergent weed control method. After the weed control strategies effective ness determination in corn (by EWRS method) and the yield correlation the profit and ra te of profit were established. These two economic indicators define the strategies or weed c ontrol variants which are recommended for the farmers. The obtained profits vary between 166. 8 and 1685.6 lei/ha, and the rate of profit varies between 36.2 and 86.45%.