EFFECT OF POST-EMERGENCE HERBICIDES ON WEEDS AND YIELD OF MAIZE

Weeds are a major problem in maize and significantly decrease grain yield of maize in Kosovo. Field experiment was carried out during 2010 to identify weed species and to investigate the efficacy of herbicides on weeds and their effect on grain yield. Three different herbicides were applied after maize emergence, namely Monosan herbi (2,4-D-dimetil ammonium), Maton (2,4-D-izoktilester), and Equip (foramsulfuron+isoxadifen-éthyl-safener) in the maize variety ZP-434 in the region of Lipjan (central part of Kosovo). The trial was set in a randomized block design with four replications with a plot size of 7.5 m^2. A total number of 23 weed species were recorded in the experimental field. Maximum weed density (62.8, 23.5 and 9.3 m^-2) was recorded for Amaranthus retroflexus, Chenopodium album and Cirsium arvense, respectively. Herbicide application reduced the weed density and positively affected the grain yield in comparison to an untreated control. Foramsulfuron+isoxadifen-éthyl-safener proved most efficient as compared to 2,4-D-izoktilester and 2,4-D-dimetil ammonium. Comparatively high grain yields (3.1 t ha^-1) were found in plots treated with foramsulfuron + isoxadifen-éthyl-safener while the grain yield in 2,4-D-izoktilester and 2,4-D-dimetil ammonium treated plots was 2.7 t ha^-1 and 2.5 t ha^-1, respectively.