Feasibility of Cycloxydim Herbicide Application in Maize (Zea mays) Weed Control

In order to study chemical weed control in cycloxydim tolerant maize (CTM) using cycloxydim herbicide, an experiment was carried out in a randomized complete block design with three replications during 2014. Treatments included conventional corn herbicides application (Nicosulforun, Foramsulfuron, Eradican and 2, 4-D MCPA) in their recommended doses and combined treatment of cycloxydim (dicamba tritosulfuron) at their recommended and reduced doses which were used as split and complete application. Results showed that application of combined treatment of cycloxydim (dicamba tritosulfuron) with more than 150 g a.i. ha-1 was more effective in weeds control as compared with other herbicide treatments. The highest weed control was observed in cycloxidim application at 300 and 150 g a.i. ha-1 in 3-4 leaf stage of corn plus application of dicamba tritosulfuron at 100 50 g a.i. ha-1 in 5-6 leaf stage of corn, leading to 85% decrease in weed density and biomass. The lowest weed control was observed in Eradican application at the rate of 4.1 kg a.i. ha-1 2,4- D MCPA 1012 g a.i. ha-1 at 5-6 leaves stage of corn, as it led to only 55% weed control. The effect of herbicide application treatments on corn grain yield and biomass were not significant, however the highest and the lowest yield were observed in above mentioned treatments, respectively. It could be concluded that application of cycloxidim in CTM, particularly when sustainable weed management and weed seed bank management and environmental hazards of chemical weed control are concerned, is recommended.