Improving cultivation technology for a new maize hybrid in the steppe zone of Kabardino-Balkaria

Abstract

Introduction. In the Russian Federation, and particularly in the North Caucasus, maize (Zea mays L.) occupies a special place in field cropping systems due to its diverse application. The main factors enhancing maize grain yield are weed‑free crop stands and resource‑ and energy‑saving tillage practices.
Aim. To evaluate the effects of primary tillage methods and herbicide regimes on the grain productivity of a new maize hybrid, and to assess the influence of weather and climatic factors on the abundance and harmfulness of the weed community in grain maize crops under the conditions of the steppe zone of the Kabardino‑Balkarian Republic.
Materials and methods. The study was conducted on the Atlant SV maize hybrid. Phenological observations were carried out according to standard procedures. Weed counts were performed three times using the quantitative method (individuals per m²) at the 3‑ to 5‑leaf stage of maize, repeated 28–30 days after the first count, and finally by the quantitative‑weight method just prior to grain harvest.
Results. A complex pattern of weed infestation was recorded in the maize stands. The weed community included annual grasses: Alopecurus agrestis L., Echinochloa crus-galli L., and two bristlegrass species: Setaria glauca L. and Setaria viridis P.B., as well as dicotyledonous weeds: Ambrosia artemisiifolia L., Fumaria officinalis L., and Chenopodium album L.. To a lesser extent, perennial grass‑dicotyledonous weeds were present, namely Sorghum halepense L., Cirsium arvense L., Sonchus arvensis L., and Convolvulus arvensis L. Weather conditions had a significant impact on maize grain yield. In 2023, which was characterized by abundant precipitation (509.6 mm, exceeding the long‑term average by 39.6 mm), grain productivity was the highest across all experimental treatments, reaching 6.9 t ha⁻¹. In 2022 and 2024, with total rainfall of 348.8 and 360.2 mm, respectively, grain yields did not exceed 6.53 and 6.70 t ha⁻¹.
Conclusion. The obtained results indicate the necessity of developing and applying a system of herbicides with different selectivity spectra for weed control in crops of the new Atlant SV maize hybrid, combined with resource‑saving primary tillage methods, under the steppe zone conditions of Kabardino‑Balkaria.