Why control weeds early?
Early season weed control is essential for successful maize crop establishment.
Weed competition for light, moisture and nutrients can seriously rob the crop’s yield potential from early days. When is the point of no return?
Weeds left in the crop for longer than 10 days after crop emergence will begin to reduce yields. More yield will be lost for each day that the weeds remain.
Speedwell (common field)
Large, spade-shaped, hairy cotyledons.
Sowthistle
Oval, medium-sized cotyledons that are close to the ground.
Redshank
Oval, dark green, tinged with red cotyledon. First true leaves are broad and heavy.
Small nettle
Cotyledons appear close to the ground, hairy and notched at the end.
Fat hen
Longer than wide cotyledons, purplish on underside. First true leaves are mealy.
Mayweed
Small, oval, stalkless cotyledons. The initial leaves are narrow with several lobes. Difficult to differentiate species at seedling stage.
Groundsel
Cotyledones are narrow and often purplish underneath. First true leaves have step-like teeth.
Knotgrass
Long, crimson hypocotyl. Cotyledons are long, narrow and thick looking, set at 40° angle.
Black nightshade
Sharply pointed, hairy, often purplish cotyledon. First true leaves hairy, dull, dark green.
Bindweed
Long, reddish green cotyledons. Heart-shaped first true leaves with rounded lobes at the base.
Cleaver
Large, oblong shaped cotyledons with a distinctive notch to the apex of the leaf. Most commonly dark green or occasionally purple.
Orache
Long, narrow, mealy, pale green cotyledon. First true leaves are mealy, green with a little purpling.
Cranesbill
Cotyledons are broader then long, asymmetrical, or long, hairy stalks.
