Regulation of the weed component in the maize phytocoenosis using herbicides for the sustainable functioning of agroecosystems

Tetiana Tymoshchuk, Oleh Kharchuk
Received: 28.10.2025 Revised: 20.02.2026 Accepted: 25.03.2026 Published: 06.04.2026
Retrieved from Vol. 29, No. 1, 2026 Pages: 41-51
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Abstract

Maize is a crop with low competitive ability against weeds, especially at the early stages of growth and development. The problem of weed infestation in maize crops during the critical period of vegetation remained one of the key factors and led to a substantial reduction in the realisation of the crop yield potential. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of herbicide application for regulating the weed component in the maize phytocoenosis and its impact on yield formation. The research was conducted during 2024-2025 under the conditions of Biryt Shevchenko LLC in Zhytomyr region on soddy medium-podzolic soils. The effectiveness of herbicides for regulating segetal vegetation in the phytocoenosis of three maize hybrids depending on the timing and application rates was highlighted. The combined application of the pre-emergence herbicide Primextra TZ Gold and the post-emergence herbicide Elumis ensured a reduction in the number of grass and broadleaf weeds in the maize phytocoenosis. The highest indicators of weed reduction were recorded at Primextra TZ Gold rates of 4.0-4.5 L/ha in combination with Elumis at 1.75-2.0 L/ha. Differences in weed infestation of phytocoenoses among hybrids were established, in particular higher values in the hybrid SY Fortago compared with SY Phenomen and SY Marimba. The combined use of Primextra TZ Gold (3.5-4.5 L/ha) and Elumis (1.75-2.0 L/ha) ensured effectiveness at the level of 94-98% control of grass and broadleaf weeds in crops of maize hybrids. The combined application of Primextra TZ Gold (4.0 L/ha) and Elumis (1.75 L/ha) ensured the maximum grain yield of the maize hybrids SY Phenomen (9.82 t/ha) and SY Marimba (10.08 t/ha). The highest productivity of the hybrid SY Fortago (9.16 t/ha) was ensured by applying the combination of Primextra TZ Gold (4.0 L/ha) and Elumis (1.5 L/ha). The obtained results could be used to develop and scientifically substantiate effective strategies for the control of segetal plants in maize phytocoenoses aimed at reducing weed infestation during the critical period of crop development and ensuring the sustainable functioning of agroecosystems

Keywords

agrocenosis; segetal vegetation; grain yield; synergism; ecological sustainability; herbicide load; control strategy

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Tymoshchuk, T., & Kharchuk, O. (2026). Regulation of the weed component in the maize phytocoenosis using herbicides for the sustainable functioning of agroecosystems. Scientific Horizons, 29(1), 41-51. https://doi.org/10.48077/scihor1.2026.41