Sustainable Weed Management in Maize (Zea mays L.) Production: A Review in Perspective of Southern Asia

Weeds and maize have equivalent competition for nutrients, water, space and light sources for their growth and development. There is a strong correlation between lower weed population and higher maize yield. Weed species in maize, critical period of crop-weed competition, methods of weeds control, herbicide tolerant maize cultivars and losses due to weeds and economics of weed control in maize are discussed in this article. The output of different research works clearly indicated that weed infestation led to 20-80% reduction in maize yield. The variation in the critical period of crop weed competition varies from two to six weeks after maize sown, but the most critical period is between 30-50 days after sowing. Weed control measures should be taken during this period to minimize the yield loss of maize and to increase the water and nutrient use efficiency. Chemical herbicides are popular and widely used to control weed in maize production systems, but several studies have shown their negative environmental consequences. Single approach-based weed management system becomes inefficient against maize weeds. The integrated weed management (IWM) system is recommended to apply which reduce the use of herbicides and focus on the sustainable crop production system