Effect of three post-emergence herbicides and cultivation on weed management in silage corn fields

The experiment was carried out as a factorial experiment based on a randomized complete block design with four replications to evaluate of the best combination of herbicides and cultivation in silage corn fields in Miyaneh region in the summer of 2009. Treatments were cultivation (with or without it), herbicides (Foramsulfuron, Nicosulfuron and 2,4-D+MCPA) and hand weeding. Weeds were sampled in three stages during growing season after treatment applications and weed density and weed dry weight were recorded. The results indicated that herbicide treatments were significantly influenced in weeds density and dry weight at 1% probability level. The most effective herbicide for weeds density and weeds dry weight decreasing percentage was Foramsulfuron which was significantly different from other herbicides. The lowest weed density and weed dry weight were observed in 2,4-D+MCPA treatment. Cultivation was significantly effective on weeds density and weed dry weight. Therefore, chemical control along with cultivation could result in weeds depression and crop yield enhancement.