Effects of nicosulfuron application timing on weeds and sweet maize crop

The effect of nicosulfuron application timing on weeds and sweet maize hybrid (ZPSC 504su) was studied. The herbicide was applied according to the recommended rate for commercial maize on four dates of applications. Weed plants abundance (the number of species, the number of plants per species and fresh biomass) was evaluated for each weed species for each herbicide application date, and at the end, the total dry weight of weeds per a variant was estimated. The herbicide application on all four dates over both years reduced the number of weed species and the number of weed plants per species. Effects of the applied herbicide differed over years due to differences in meteorological conditions. The ear length of the studied sweet maize hybrid statistically significantly differed in the herbicide application date and investigation year interaction. Weed suppression with the aim to obtain the planned yields of sweet maize has an important role. Nevertheless, different susceptibility of sweet maize to herbicides points out to cautiousness in their application.