Experiences with a new program for a targeted and reduced herbicide application in maize (DSS-IWM)

Abstract

As part of the EU project „PURE“, 12 field experiments in maize were conducted in 6 federal states of Germany. We tested a new version of an internet-based decision support system for herbicide use in maize (DSS-IWM). Four prototypes of a DSS were included which differed in the type of algorithms and in the range of efficacy safety. The results were compared to the untreated plots and also to the regional standard, which was a specific herbicide application recommended by the local advisor. Based on the current weed infestation (weed species and weed densities) the DSS programme calculated an optimized combination of herbicide products, e.g. active substances and dosages. The mean treatment frequency index (TFI) of all DSS treatments was 0.93, which was much lower than the TFI of the regional standard treatments (1.9). In case of insufficient weed control, we identified missing dose-response data as a reason for an incorrect calculated dosage. The mean efficacy of all DSS treatments was between 74 and 82%.