Efficacy of Lagon 575 Sc (isoxaflutole + Aclonefene) in Tank Mix With Paraquat as a Pre-Emergence Maize Herbicide

ABSTRACT
Maize, a globally prominent crop, faces significant pest and weed challenges. Weeds compete with maize for resources, hindering production. Herbicides are widely used for weed control, but continuous application can lead to herbicide resistance. This study evaluated the efficacy of Lagon 575 SC (Isoxaflutole + Aclonefene) in tank mix with Paraquat as a pre-emergence maize herbicide incase of delayed planting scenarios. The experiment, conducted at the University of Port Harcourt's Teaching and Research Farm, employed a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with eleven treatments, including varying rates of Lagon and Paraquat combinations, unweeded, hand-weeded, and weed-free controls. Each treatment was replicated three times. Data collection included maize emergence, plant height, weed biomass and density at 4, 8, and 12 weeks after planting (WAP), grain yield, and yield components. Results showed no significant differences in maize emergence, while plant height varied insignificantly across treatments. Lagon 0.75 L/ha + Paraquat 1.5 L/ha achieved the maximum plant height (161.66 cm). Weed density and biomass differed significantly at 8 and 12 WAP, with hand-weeded plots having the lowest values. Grain yield was optimized with Lagon 0.5 L/ha + Paraquat 2.0 L/ha (1683.14 kg/ha) and Lagon 0.75 L/ha + Paraquat 1.0 L/ha. This study concludes that Lagon 0.75 L/ha + Paraquat 1.5 L/ha is the most effective herbicide combination for weed suppression in maize fields, while Lagon 0.5 L/ha + Paraquat 2.0 L/ha gave the highest grain yield. These findings contribute to the development of sustainable weed management strategies for maize production and optimizing crop yields.