Determination of the effects of herbicide and flame applications on weed control and maize performance

Maize (Zea mays L.) is one of the most important plants grown globally and in our country. Weeds are the major limiting factors of maize cultivated fields. Considering this problem, this study was carried out on the population status of weeds, chemical control, and alternative control (flaming) methods in the corn cultivation areas of Antalya province, from April-to September 2020, research was conducted as survey and field trails in two different locations. The survey study was conducted in 46 fields in the Manavgat, Serik, and Aksu districts, where corn cultivation is intense in the region. As a result of the observation, 26 weed species belonging to 14 families were determined. These include nutsedge (Cyperus rotundus L.), purslane (Portulaca oleraceae L.), Johnsongrass (Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers.), cockspur (Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) P. Beauv.), and pink ivy (Ipomoea triloba). L.) were the prominent species. Field trials were carried out in two locations including Belkis and Burmahancı towns of Serik district in Antalya province. In the application, pre-emergence S- Metolachor + Terbuthylazine (MT), S-Metolachlor + Terbuthylazine + Mesotrione (MTM) actives and post-emergence Mesotrione + Nicosulfuron (MN), Dicamba + Nicosulfuron (DN) actives were used as pre-emergence herbicides. The flaming application was applied as one and two repetitions. No application was applied in the control. The result of the study revealed that herbicide and flaming application had significantly suppressed weeds. It could be concluded that this application had a positive impact on yield. It was determined that flame applications and S-Metolachor + Terbuthylazine (MT) and S-Metolachlor + Terbuthylazine + Mesotrione (MTM) applications among herbicides in both locations provided more effective results in terms of weed control. The highest efficiency was obtained from the result of the flaming application and the herbicide application followed by a small difference. It has been observed that the best application in Belkıs location is the Flame-2 application, increasing the efficiency by 26% compared to the control. As the result, it was concluded that flaming application could be an alternative to chemical control in terms of weed management in corn fields.