Problems with the control of perennial weeds in a simplified cultivation system of maize crops in the conditions of Lower SilesiaProblemy ograniczania chwastów wieloletnich w uproszczonej uprawie kukurydzy w warunkach Dolnego Śląska

Abstract

Field experiments were carried out on the reduction of weed infestation in maize grown in the rotation system on podsolic soil. As a result the following weed species were found to be dominant: barnyardgrass [Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) P. Beav.] and lambsquarters (Chenopodium album L.). A higher weed species composition and a lower soil coverage value (24%) per 1 m area were stated in the maize conventional cultivation system with plowing as compared to reduced maize tillage. Besides the dominant weeds barnyardgrass and lambsquarters the were less numerous field violet (Viola arvensis Murray), creeping speedwell (Veronica pesica L.), shepherds purse [Capsela bursa-pastoris (L.) Medik], corn chamomille (Anthemis arvensis L.), cornflower (Centaurea cyanus L). Taking into consideration the simplified system it was found that the weed species composition was dominated by barnyardgrass and lambsquarters and the coverage of 1 m soil surface amounded to 66%. There was a higher intensity of annual grass weed species barnyardgrass and green bristle grass [Setaria viridis (L.) P. Beav.] as well as perennial species in particularly quackgrass [Elymus repens (L.) Gould] and single weed plants of mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris L.) and Canada thistle [Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop.] were also recorded. The number of annual broad leaved weeds was reduced as compared to the plow cultivation system. The application of herbicides mixture rimsulfuron + dicamba with adjuvant Trend 90 EC controlled the majority of the weed species and gave the best results for this type of soil. Only quackgrass occurring numerously in the experiment as well as winter forms of mugwort and creeping speedwell were less sensitive to the applied mixture of herbicides.