Herbicidal Efficacy of atrazine for Weed Control in Maize (Zea mays L.)

Abstract

A field trial was conducted at Gezira Research Station Farm, duringseasons 2010/2011 and 2011/2012, to evaluate activity and selectivity of the pre-emergence herbicide atrazine (Oxatryne 500SC) for weed control in maize. The herbicide was tested at 0.357, 0.476, 0.595 and 0.714 kg a.i ha-1. The most prevailing weed species were False amaranth {(Digera muricata (L.) Mart}., Blue morning glory (Ipomoea spp.), Cattail grass (Seteria pallidefusca)and Ocimum basilicum . The herbicide displayed very good to excellent control of broadleaved weeds (73- 98%) . However, its activity against grassy weeds was poor to moderate (4- 56% control). All herbicide treatments were highly selective to the crop.Yield reductions as a result of unrestricted weed growth were 81 and 74 %, in the first and second seasons, respectively. In both seasons, the herbicide at all rates tested, irrespective of supplementary hand weeding increased maize yield significantly compared to the untreated control