The effect of weather conditions and weed control measures on maize weeds development, particularly on Echinochloa crus-galli

Abstract

The aim of the study was to establish, in a strict field experiment in two consecutive years with different thermal and precipitation conditions, the effect of the whether and weed control methods on the phenology of dominant weed species occurring in a maize stand, particularly Echinochloa crus-galli. It was stated that the whether conditions in particular years affected the phenology stages of maize and dominant weeds on the control object, which were: Matricaria maritima ssp. inodora, Capsella bursa-pastoris, Chenopodium album and Echinochloa crus-galli. Weed control methods caused a delay of Echinochloa crus-galli development stage transition. As the result, fewer plant were able to mature and shatter the seeds before maize harvest. The effect was proved both in the mechanical weed control method as in the chemical treatments, particularly in the year 1996.