Comparative Evaluation of Nicosulfuron and Fluroxypyr for Weed Management, Crop Productivity, and Residue Safety in Maize (Zea mays L.) under Field Conditions | ||
| مجلة البحوث البيئية والطاقة | ||
| Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available Online from 12 November 2025 | ||
| Document Type: المقالة الأصلية | ||
| DOI: 10.21608/jbet.2025.421329.1087 | ||
| Authors | ||
| Mahmoud Lila* 1; Ibrahim Ammar1; Mahmoud Rashwan1; Samah Arafa1; Hanim Soliman2 | ||
| 1كلية الزراعة جامعة المنوفية | ||
| 2االمعمل المركزى للمبيدات قسم بحوث متبقيات المبيدات وتلوث البيئة | ||
| Abstract | ||
| Nicosulfuron and Fluroxypyr are herbicides with different mechanisms of action, and are recommended for weed control in Maize (Zea mays L.). This study aimed to evaluate and compare the effect of both herbicides, at recommended concentrations, on physiological and agronomic characteristics in maize. Field trials were conducted during the 2023 summer season to evaluate dominant weed flora, herbicide efficacy, and their effects on Maize growth, yield, grain quality, and residue levels. The weed community was dominated by Portulaca oleracea, Chenopodium album, Echinochloa colonum, and Phalaris spp., with a temporal shift from broadleaf to grassy dominance between 60 and 80 days after sowing (DAS). Herbicide evaluation showed that nicosulfuron (0.4 L/feddan) provided the most effective broad-spectrum control, achieving weed control efficiency (WCE) of up to 96.02% at 60 DAS and maintaining 89.41% at 80 DAS, with strong suppression of both grassy and broadleaf weeds. Fluroxypyr (0.2 L/Feddan) significantly reduced weed biomass but was less effective against grassy species. Both herbicides markedly enhanced Maize growth and yield compared to the untreated control. Nicosulfuron nearly doubled grain yield (4.27 vs. 2.35 tons/Feddan) and increased straw yield (22.76 vs. 13.82 tons/Feddan), outperforming fluroxypyr across all agronomic traits. Grain quality also improved, with nicosulfuron-treated maize recording the highest protein (11.13%) and oil (5.14%) contents. Residue analysis confirmed safe levels, with preharvest intervals of 90 days for nicosulfuron and 30 days for fluroxypyr, both within permissible maximum residue limits. Overall, nicosulfuron proved superior to fluroxypyr, offering effective, broad-spectrum weed management, enhanced crop productivity, improved grain quality, | ||
| Keywords | ||
| Nicosulfuron; Fluroxypyr; Maize; Weed Management; Residue Safety | ||
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