Effect of weeding management on the performance of local maize populations

7 Pags., 4 Tabls.[EN] One of the most important stress factors in maize (Zea mays L.) fields is weed competition, which reduces the crop yield. Weeds chiefly interfere with maize and establish considerable competition for light, water and nutrients. To avoid these harmful effects, there are different agronomic measures among which, the most relevant are the interactions between crop and weed, weed management practices and type of germplasm. This study attempts to evaluate maize germplasm for tolerance to weed competition in order to achieve competitive ability and suitability for farming. Ten genotypes of maize, classified into two groups, i.e. improved populations and traditional cultivars, were grown under four types of weed management practices (mechanical harrowing control, chemical control, combination of harrowing and chemical control and untreated control as check) for three years in Zaragoza (Spain). We found that the effect of weed management practices was not significantly different, whereas the genotype effect was highly significant, with genotype EZS34 (mean yield of 7.7 t ha-1) showing the highest yield. Other traits, such as earliness, displeyd a good behaviour under weed competition. On the other hand, harrowing management proved to be the most effective method of weed control although it did not show a significant response. The best results are associated with some maize genotypes that have a specific adaptation to local conditions, according to their genetic background.[ES] Uno de los factores de estrés más importantes en los campos de maíz (Zea mays L.) es la competencia con las malas hierbas, lo que reduce el valor de la producción. Principalmente, las malas hierbas interfieren con el maíz y establecen una competencia considerable por la luz, agua y nutrientes. Para evitar estos efectos perjudiciales, existen diferentes medidas agronómicas, las más relevantes son las relacionadas con las interacciones entre cultivo y malas hierbas, las prácticas de eliminación de las malas hierbas y el tipo de germoplasma. Este estudio pretende evaluar germoplasma de maíz para comprobar su tolerancia bajo competencia por malas hierbas a fin de aunar en una manera sostenible para combatir. Diez genotipos de maíz, clasificados en dos grupos, poblaciones mejoradas y variedades tradicionales cultivadas en cuatro tipos de prácticas de manejo de las malas hierbas (control mecánico, control químico, combinación de control mecánico y químico, y el testigo) durante tres años en Zaragoza (España). Se encontró que el efecto de las prácticas de manejo de las malas hierbas no fue suficiente para distinguir entre ellas, mientras que el efecto genotipo fue altamente significativo, y el genotipo EZS34 (rendimiento medio de 7,7 t ha-1) mostró el mejor rendimiento. Por otra parte, el control mecánico pareció mostrarse como el más eficaz para controlar las malas hierbas aunque su respuesta no fue significativa. Los mejores resultados se asocian con algunos genotipos de maíz que tienen una adaptación específica a las condiciones locales y de acuerdo con su fondo genético.This research was supported by Ministry of Science and Innovation of Spain (project AGL2010-22254-C02-01). Javier Peña-Asín acknowledges his fellowship from the Ministry of Science and Innovation of Spain.Peer reviewe

Effect of weeding management on the performance of local maize populations

One of the most important stress factors in maize (Zea mays L.) fields is weed competition, which reduces the crop yield. Weeds chiefly interfere with maize and establish considerable competition for light, water and nutrients. To avoid these harmful effects, there are different agronomic measures and factors among which, the most relevant are the interactions between crop and weed, weed management practices and type of germplasm. This study attempts to evaluate maize germplasm for tolerance to weed competition in order to achieve competitive ability and suitability for farming. Ten genotypes of maize, classified into two groups, i.e. improved populations and traditional cultivars, were grown under four types of weed management practices (mechanical harrowing control, chemical control, combination of harrowing and chemical control and untreated control as check) for three years (from 2009 to 2011) in Zaragoza (Spain). We found that the effect of weed management practices was not significantly different, whereas the genotype effect was highly significant, with genotype EZS34 (mean yield of 7.7 Mg ha-1) showing the highest yield. Other traits, such as earliness, displayed a good behaviour under weed competition. On the other hand, harrowing management proved to be the most effective method of weed control although it did not show a significant response. The best results are associated with some maize genotypes that have a specific adaptation to local conditions, according to their genetic background