Use of nicosulfuron in the management of Megathyrsus maximus ‘BRS Zuri’ intercropped with maize

ABSTRACT Intercropping maize with tropical forages is common in production systems but must be correctly managed during the early stages to avoid a loss in crop yield due to interspecific competition. Applying subdoses of selective herbicides to the maize is a possible way of suppressing forage grow...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Carlos Henrique de Lima e Silva, Carlos Eduardo Leite Mello, Jaqueline Oliveira da Silva, Adriano Jakelaitis, Renata Pereira Marques, Dayana Cardoso Cruz
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Universidade Federal do Ceará 2025-05-01
Series:Revista Ciência Agronômica
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Online Access:http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1806-66902025000100662&lng=en&tlng=en
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Summary:ABSTRACT Intercropping maize with tropical forages is common in production systems but must be correctly managed during the early stages to avoid a loss in crop yield due to interspecific competition. Applying subdoses of selective herbicides to the maize is a possible way of suppressing forage growth and avoiding this competition. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of subdoses of nicosulfuron herbicide on the development of Megathyrsus maximus ‘BRS Zuri’ when intercropped with maize, and how this simultaneous cultivation affects the weed population and the biometric and production variables of the maize and forage. The design was of randomised blocks with four replications and treatments consisting of six subdoses of nicosulfuron herbicide (0, 2.5, 5, 12.5, 25 and 50 g ha−1) in addition to a single crop of maize. The results show that the forage, BRS Zuri, suppressed the growth and development of the weeds. The dose of 50 g ha−1 caused phytotoxicity in the B2360PW maize hybrid. The presence of the forage had a negative effect on grain yield. The herbicide did not suppress the growth of the forage since both its height and biomass were significant. The results show the need for adjusting the dose, the choice of maize hybrid and the time of herbicide application, with a view to minimising possible interference from the forage in the performance of the maize crop.
ISSN:1806-6690