Competitive relationships between weeds and maize under climate change conditions

The competition between maize and weeds is a decisive factor in reducing crop yield. The competitive ability of maize plants depends on the sowing time, emergence rate, row spacing, plant density, nutrient regime, and other factors. The main weed species in maize are: Wild mustard (Sinapis arvensis L.), Johnson grass (Sorghum halepense Brot. L. Pers.), Field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis L.), Redroot pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus L.), Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense L.), Black nightshade (Solanum nigrum L.), among others. The types of weeds and their population density play a key role in the competitive interaction. Understanding the main principles in maize–weed interactions is crucial for selecting an effective weed control strategy.