ABSTRACT
Maize is one of the most important crops in the world and effective weed management is pivotal to ensure high yields. Maize is typically grown in short rotations or in monoculture and the composition of the weed flora depends on the cropping conditions. A suite of tools is available for weed control including cultural, physical and chemical tools. Crop rotation, seed rate and row spacing are among the most effective cultural techniques while inter-row cultivation and flaming top the list of effective physical weed control methods. In developed agriculture, chemical weed control with synthetic herbicides is the most widely and currently most effective weed control method and the introduction of herbicide-tolerant varieties and, in particular, glyphosate tolerant varieties have added further to the leading position of chemical weed control. Herbicide resistance, the loss of herbicides to stricter pesticide legislation and an increasing concern in the public on the possible side-effects of pesticides is rapidly changing the playing field and focus is shifting towards more integrated and sustainable weed management strategies. In the developing countries where labour shortage and increasing wages is a challenge to the profitability of maize cultivation herbicides may become more important in the years to come but, alongside this, integrated weed management strategies, adapted to the local conditions, should be developed.
