Maize selectivity to the combination of reduced dosages of herbicide and phenolic acids

Kukuruzna silaža predstavlja značajnu sirovinu za proizvodnju bioplina. U usjevu silažnog kukuruza korovi su ograničavajući čimbenik uzgoja, a suzbijanje korova osnovna agrotehnička mjera koja se uglavnom provodi primjenom herbicida. Međutim, cilj EU strategije „Zeleni plan“ je do 2030. godine smanjiti korištenja pesticida za 50%. Stoga su nužno potrebne alternativne metode suzbijanja korova. Fenolne kiseline imaju potencijal inhibicije rasta korova pa se istražuje mogućnost njihove primjene sa značajno reduciranim dozacijama herbicida. Cilj istraživanja je utvrditi selektivnost kukuruza prema kombinaciji reducirane doze herbicida i fenolne kiseline. U laboratorijskom dijelu istraživanja sjeme kukuruza tretirano je punom (x) i reduciranim dozama herbicida Adenga (1/2, ¼, 1/8, 1/16 x) i s feruličnom/p-hidroksibenzojevom kiselinom dodanim istim dozacijama herbicida. Navedeni dio prethodio je biotestu u klima komori u kojem je kukuruz tretiran istim dozacijama herbicida samostalno i u kombinaciji s feruličnom kiselinom. Iako su u laboratorijskom dijelu fenolne kiseline pojačale redukcijski učinak herbicida Adenga na klijavost i rani rast kukuruza, vizualnom ocjenom oštećenja nadzemne mase nisu utvrđena značajna oštećenja mladih biljaka kukuruza. Maize silage is an important raw material for biogas production. In silage maize cultivation, weeds are the limiting factor, and weed control is a basic agrotechnical measure, mainly through the use of herbicides. However, the goal of the EU Green Plan strategy is to reduce the use of pesticides by 50% by 2030. Therefore, alternative methods of weed control are needed. Phenolic acids have the potential to inhibit the growth of weeds. Therefore, the possibility of their application with significantly reduced herbicide doses is being investigated. The aim of the research is to determine the selectivity of maize to the combination of reduced doses of herbicide and phenolic acid. In the laboratory part of the study, maize seeds were treated with full (x) and reduced doses of the herbicide Adenga (1/2, ¼, 1/8, 1/16 x) and with ferulic acid/p-hydroxybenzoic acid added to the same herbicide doses. The mentioned part preceded the bioassay in the climate chamber, where maize was treated with the same herbicide doses alone and in combination with ferulic acid. Although in the laboratory part the phenolic acids enhanced the reducing effect of the herbicide Adengo on the germination and early growth of maize, the visual assessment of the injury to the aboveground mass did not reveal any significant damage to young maize plants.