REDUCED USE OF HERBICIDES IN CORN THROUGH HERBICIDE-BANDING COMBINED WITH CULTIVATIONS

The efficacy of various weed management systems utilizing banded appli cations of herbicides and mechanical cultivations were investigated in order to find alternatives to intensive herbicide use in grain maize (Zea mays L.) production. In experiments conducted in Quebec in 1991 a nd in 1992, banded applications of atrazine (1.0 kg a.i. ha(-1)) and m etolachlor (1.9 kg a.i. ha(-1)) on maize rows (40% of field area) comb ined with post-emergence cultivations, achieved a similar grain yield to that obtained when herbicides were broadcast over the whole field. In this project, decreasing herbicide was not accompanied with decreas ing maize yield. Mechanical weed control was more effective in 1991, a drier year than 1992 which was cool and rainy. A banded application o f herbicides followed by cultivations at 2 and 4 weeks after maize eme rgence provided commercially acceptable weed control and crop yield.