Weed science research achievements on maize in Ethiopia: a review

Abstract

Recent research into assessing and combatting maize weeds was reviewed based on scientific and working reports from the year 2011 onwards in Ethiopia. This review paper covered two main topics: assessment of major weed types and their impacts, and research results of weed management in the maize cropping system of the country. More than 80 major weed floras dominated by broad leaved weeds were found infesting maize fields in different localities. By competing, toxifying and/or parasitizing maize plants, they reduce the crop germination, growth and productivity. Several experiments indicated that maize yield loss due to uncontrolled weed growth varied from 35 to 87.5%, indicating that weed management is a critical factor for maize production in the country. Hoeing, hand weeding and pre-emergence herbicides application have been the most frequently used weed control practices to minimize the competition effect of weeds. So far, there has been no effective and sustainable individual weed control method for maize fields. Thus, future research should focus on developing integrated weed management that effectively reduce weed infestation and associated impacts, and improve productivity of the crop considering socio-economic condition of a specific maize producing agro-ecology of the country.