Influence of different post-emergence herbicides and crop varieties on weed flora diversity in maize (Zea mays L.) cultivation in Daloa (Central-Western Côte d'Ivoire)

Weeds are plants that are unwanted in a given situation and may be harmful, dangerous or economically detrimental. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of post-emergences herbicides and maize varieties associations on the diversity of weed flora in maize cultivation in Daloa with a view to improving weed management. The experimental design used to carry out this study was a Fisher block with three replicates. The dimensions of the unit plots were 5 m x 6 m. The treatments applied to the unit plots of the blocks were: T1 (Serenity 194 OD + Kabamanoj), T2 (Serenity 194 OD + Mastrop 143+), T3 (Monsoon Active 56.5 OD + DK818), T4 (Nicomaïs 40 OD + LG336), T5 (Monsoon Active 56.5 OD + DK7500) and T6 (Nicomaïs 40 OD + EV8728SR). The results showed that T5 plots were the least floristically diversified with the smallest numbers of aggressive and very aggressive weeds while the T6 plots were the most floristically diversified with the largest numbers of aggressive and very aggressive weeds. In addition, weed flora of plots T1 and T3 was similar to that of plots T5. Treatments T1, T3 and T5 therefore appear to be the most effective in controlling weed growth in maize cultivation in Daloa. They should therefore be prioritized in the establishment of maize cultivation in this locality in order to effectively control weed growth and increase maize production.