List Of Herbicides Used For Weed Control On Maize Farm

Maize is one of the most widely cultivated crops in the world. Maize is very important as it is of great nutritional importance to humans and livestock. The global demand for maize is still overwhelming; this is a result of poor yield related to the contribution of pests. Weed is one of the pests that reduce the yield of a maize farm. they are always hardy and difficult to control. When weeds invade a maize farm, the maize plants become less vigorous and several disturbing signs like yellowing of the leaves are seen on the maize plants.

After successful pre-planting operations in a maize farm; which involve proper land preparation methods, procurement of high-yielding maize seeds, and planting, a farmer expects optimum yield from his farm. From a hectare of land, if all agronomic practices are done judiciously, a farmer should get at least 8 tons of maize per hectare after harvesting. This is quite laudable, but this yield can be made impossible through the existence and action of pests like weeds.

Weed Control On Maize Farm

Weeds are unwanted crops that grow sporadically with the maize plant; weeds compete with the maize plants for water, nutrients, air, and space. Because weeds are hardy and sporadic in their growth, they tend to win this competition against the maize plant. The success makes the weeds utilize most of the nutrients, water, air, and space available in the soil, leaving the maize plants stunted and unhealthy. For maize plants to grow successfully, the farmer must intervene by providing support in eliminating the weeds.

Although weeds cannot be totally eliminated from the farm, weeds can be maintained below the economic threshold level. Uncontrolled weed on a maize farm can out-compete maize crops for water, nutrients, and sunlight, causing farmers economic losses. There are several ways to eliminate weeds in a maize farm; smallholder farmers often adopt manual weeding, the use hoes and cutlass to slash weeds, while in a large maize farm, herbicides are usually applied to eliminate weeds.

Manual weeding is undoubtedly the best form of weed control; however, the high cost of manual weeding has discouraged its usage on large maize farms, thus, the use of herbicides is the best substitute and has become more economical and efficient in weed control in maize farms. There are two types of herbicides used for weed control in maize farms, namely:

• Pre-emergence
• Post-emergence

As the name implies, the pre-herbicides are applied before planting maize while the post-emergence are applied after planting of maize. These herbicides help in effective weed management to ensure the maize farm yields to expectations.

Pre-emergence Herbicides For Maize

Pre-emergence herbicides are applied before the emergence of the weed in the maize farm; they are usually applied immediately after planting. Pre-emergence herbicides are targeted at the weed seeds and surviving weeds; they help prevent the weed seeds from germinating, thus, eliminating the cost of weeding and keeping the farm free from weed for a reasonable period before harvesting. They are used to prevent the growth of weeds. Examples of pre-emergence herbicides used on maize farms are:

Diuron 4L Herbicide – 2.5 Gallons

• Specially formulated to control ⁢many leaf weeds,⁣ annual and‍ perennial grasses
• Granules easily mixed⁢ with water for spray application
• Non-corrosive to equipment
• Active Ingredients: Diuron 40%
• Can be applied as pre-emergence for maize and other crops
• Effective ⁤control of weeds in​ early, weak seedling state
• Application ⁣Rate: 0.6 – 4.8 qt. per acre
• Can be used for both⁣ pre-emergent and post-emergent weed control
• Effectively control Barnyardgrass, Chickweed, Crabgrass, Foxtail,⁣ Pigweed, Purslane, Ragweed, Wild buckwheat, Wild mustard, and more.

Casoron 4G Herbicide 25 lbs Bag

• Selective pre-emergence herbicide
• ‍Controls ‌weeds ‍before ⁢they emerge from​ the ground
• Forms ‍an herbicidal vapor barrier in the soil
• Suitable for use in various areas including fruit orchards, nurseries, and ornamental ​landscapes
• Active Ingredients: Dichlobenil

Roundup Dual Action 365 Weed & Grass Killer

• Provides one-step weed protection for up to 12 months
• Kills and prevents many types of tough weeds‌ and grasses
• Coverage: Up to 300 ⁤sq. ft.
• Active ingredients: Glyphosate, Imazapic
• Comfort‍ Wand with one-touch continuous‌ spray

Other brands of pre-emergence herbicides are:

Pre-emergence herbicide lasts for about 3 months. During this period, the maize plants better utilize the nutrients present in the soil, the space, and air for their growth and development. These herbicides are available in our store.

Post-emergence Herbicides For Maize

Post-emergence herbicides are herbicides applied to the maize farm after the emergence of weeds. They are applied to control weeds; The post-emergence herbicides may be selective or nonselective. Selective herbicides control specific types of weed, while nonselective herbicides control all kinds of weeds. The selective broadleaf herbicide is used for maize because maize belongs to the grass family so any herbicide to be applied must be friendly to grasses but injurious to broadleaf weeds.

Examples of the Post-emergence herbicides for maize crops are:

Triad TZ Post-Emergent Broadleaf Herbicide

• Contains 2,4-D, Dicamba, ⁣Triclopyr, Sulfentrazone
• Quickly​ taken up by leaves‍ and ⁣stems of plants, causing weed growth to ⁢cease within hours
• Effects of weed control ⁣may be seen within a few​ hours to a few days after​ application
• Weed death occurs ⁤1 ‌to 4 weeks after application
• Excellent‍ post-emergent activity with rapid weed control performance
• Effective on tough ⁤broadleaf weeds such as dandelion, spurge, white clover, plantains, ground ivy, virginia buttonweed, and wild violet

Revolver Herbicide Quart & Southern Ag Surfactant Gallon

• Contains ‌80% non-ionic Surfactant
• Highly recommended to use with ⁢Microyl ‍Crop Oil to increase effectiveness
• Post-emergent control of grasses in warm-season​
• Labeled for use on⁤ listed Bermudagrass greens
• ⁤Highly effective on Bentgrass, ⁢Centipede Grass (suppression), Dallisgrass (suppression), Goosegrass, Kentucky Bluegrass, Poa annua (Annual ‍Bluegrass), ​Poa trivialis (Roughstalk Bluegrass), Ryegrass, Tall Fescue

Celsius WG Post Emergent Herbicide

• Active Ingredients: Dicamba 57.4%, Iodosulfuron-methyl-sodium 1.9%, Thiencarbazone-methyl 8.7%
• Kills weeds ⁤within hours of ​application
• Highly effective on more than 120 annual‌ and perennial‍ broadleaf weeds and grasses

Other brands of post-emergence herbicides are:

These herbicides are broadleaf post-emergence herbicides; they are applied only when weeds emerge. You can get any of these post-emergence herbicides from our store.

Effects of Weeds on Maize Plants

• Weeds compete with maize plants for nutrients, water, air, and the area required for their growth.
• Weeds may harbor pests that can impair the growth of the maize plants and reduce the quality of the maize
• Some weeds can serve as disease pathogens, causing several diseases to reduce the growth rate and yield of the maize
• Some weeds with thorns can cause injury to the farmer when working on the maize farm
• Weeds are hardy and sporadic in their growth; they can be very difficult to control

Precautions For Applying Herbicides To Maize Farm

• Apply the right type of herbicide, either pre-emergence or post-emergence
• Do not spray in the afternoon, spray early in the morning or late in the evening.
• Mix herbicide in appropriate and prescribed concentration as directed by the manufacturer
• Do not spray herbicides in the direction of the wind
• Do not eat while spraying herbicides.
• Ensure you do not have direct contact with the herbicide, however, in case if this happens, apply fresh water to the affected part and see the physician for appropriate medication.

Weeds are pests to maize crops; they reduce the growth potential of the maize crop and conversely, reduce the profit of the farmer. Pre-emergent herbicides and post-emergent herbicides are applied to maize plants for better elimination and control of weeds.