It is important to control weeds in a corn field before they are 6 to 8 inches high, which is when they begin to impact corn yields. Weeds also reduce silage feed quality, slow harvesters by causing wheel slippage or clogging, raise grain moisture content, and provide a seed source to infest subsequent crops.
Corn is produced for grain, silage, sweet corn, ornamental corn, and popcorn in California.
The acreage grown for grain is very price dependent. Grain corn plantings are concentrated around the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta areas. Corn silage is planted primarily in the central and southern San Joaquin Valley. There is no best weed control regime for all growing conditions. An integrated weed management program utilizes a combination of cultural, mechanical, and chemical methods for consistent, effective weed control.