EFFICIENCY AND PROFITABILITY OF CHEMICAL WEED CONTROL IN CORN CROP

Background: Corn is one of the main crops in Mexico. The crop is affected by different pests such as weeds and high-cost inputs are required for its control. Objective: To determinate the efficiency of five post-emerging herbicides on the control of monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous weeds in a corn crop, as well as to identify the optimal economic herbicide. Methodology: The study was carried out in Cocula, Guerrero, Mexico under irrigation conditions. Treatments were: 1) Nicosulfurón + 2,4-D; 2) Nicosulfurón + atrazine; 3) Nicosulfurón + dicamba; 4) Rimsulfurón + 2,4-D; 5) Rimsulfurón + dicamba; 6) Rimsulfurón + atrazine and 7) Treatment without application. Sampling was performed 7, 15, 30 and 60 days after application. The variables evaluated were, weed number and control percentage. In addition, an economic analysis was carried out, depending on the grain yield obtained. Results: Application of nicosulfuron and rimsulfuron in mixture with 2,4-D, dicamba and atrazine archived control levels than or equal to 90% for 30 days on Sorghum halepense and Panicum reptans weeds. For Melampodium divaricatum and Argythamnia neomexicana nicosulfuron + dicamba and rimsulfuron + atrazina herbicides-controlled weeds for 30 days. Kallstroemia maxima weed, was controlled by 100% with the application of nicosulfuron + dicamba. As for the financial analysis, the greatest economic benefit was with the mixture of rimsulfuron with atrazine and 2,4-D. Implications: The mixture of rimsulfuron + 2,4-D is efficient on the weed control in corn crop, in addition to being the most economical. Conclusion: The application of nicosulfuron and rimsulfurn achieves the best control over monocotyledons and dicotyledons, the greater control was observed with the nicosulfuron +dicamba application, however, the rimsulfuron application with atrazine and 2,4-D generated the best profitability.