Nicosulfuron Weed Control in Maize as Influenced by Adjuvants: Original vs. Generic Herbicide

Abstract In the absence of new herbicides on the market, adding adjuvants into the tank with herbicides is a strategy for increasing efficacy. In our research, we tested whether there are differences in weed control as influenced by the original nicosulfuron formulation and a generic counterpart. In this study, we tested the addition of two commonly used adjuvants: ammonium-sulfate (AMS) and non-ionic surfactant (NIS). In a three-year experiment, based on a percentage of biomass reduction and canopy cover, these results showed no differences in any treatments when comparing the original versus generic nicosulfuron. However, adding an NIS increased efficacy, while adding AMS decreased herbicide activity. The average percentage reduction of biomass in this study was about 80%, implying that using solely nicosulfuron as aceto-lactate synthase inhibiting herbicide is not a good solution in weed control in maize and that other methods for weed control should be considered and integrated, in order to increase weed control efficacy.