Effective weed control in Maize is vital to maintain your yield potential!

Good establishment and yield potential depend on early-season weed control.

Weed control in Maize relies on a two-stage strategy, pre-emergence treatment followed by a two- or three-way post-emergence mix can improve crop performance and keep those weeds at bay. With input costs rising, maize must deliver stronger yields to justify investment.

Effective early control is critical: weeds compete with young maize for light, moisture and nutrients, cutting yield potential. Aim to control weeds before emergence and within 7–10 days after emergence to prevent early losses. Warm conditions can accelerate weed growth, so skipping herbicide applications to reduce costs may significantly reduce yield.

Clayton offers cost-effective post-emergence options to improve weed control in forage maize, supporting feed quality, productivity and yield stability. After a pre-emergence application to reduce grass and broad-leaved weeds, well-timed post-emergence herbicides can provide season-long control and tackle weeds that escape earlier treatment. Stacking post-emergence actives can be a reliable approach at this stage.

Flexible post-emergence timing matters.

Choose the right herbicide or tank mix for the weed spectrum present, considering both broad-leaved and grass weeds. Optimising crop nutrition and soil health in spring supports rooting and establishment, and can also improve herbicide performance and help minimise crop check.

For post-emergence control, Jessie Boden (Clayton Plant Protection) says: “Consider a mix with two or three actives stacked to target weeds not controlled at pre-emergence. Clayton Tassel (100 g/l mesotrione), Clayton Flurry & Clayton Florin (200 g/l fluroxypyr), Clayton Cocoon (400 g/l clopyralid) or Claudius (250 g/kg rimsulfuron) are good options for post-em tank mixes. Using multiple actives can improve control of grasses and broad-leaved weeds and reduce the risk of resistance to single chemistry.”

Quick reference: product profiles

Clayton Tassel™ 

SC formulation containing 100g mesotrione

Fast-acting herbicide for key annual broad-leaved weeds and cockspur grass in forage and grain maize.

Use rate & timing: apply at 0.75 l/ha for susceptible BLWs and 1.5 l/ha for cockspur grass, during 2 and 8 leaves of the crop when weeds actively growing and at seedling stage.

Clayton Flurry™, Clayton Florin™ 

EC formulation containing 200g fluroxypyr

Translocated herbicide taken up by the leaves for control of black nightshade in forage maize.

Use rate & timing: apply at 1.0 l/ha for control of black nightshade from 3-6 leaves unfolded and before the crop is 20cm high and any buttress roots start to develop at 1st node.

Target weeds: Black Nightshade.

Clayton Cocoon™

SC formulation containing 400g clopyralid

Versatile herbicide for control of certain perennial and annual weeds in forage maize.

Use rate & timing: apply to all varieties of forage maize after the 3-leaf expanded stage of the crop at 0.25l/ha for annual weeds, when they are actively growing.

Target weeds: Corn Marigold, Creeping Thistle from seed, Groundsel, Pineapple weed, Scented Mayweed, Scentless Mayweed, Smooth Sowthistle – All Susceptible. Black Bindweed – Moderately Susceptible, Pale Persicaria and Redshank  – Moderately Resistant.

Claudius™

WDG formulation containing 250g rimsulfuron

Sulfonylurea herbicide for control of broad-leaved weeds in forage maize.

Use rate & timing: apply in the spring post-emergence to *varietal restrictions (see *label) of forage maizebefore 4-collar fully emerged stage of the crop at 50 g/ha for broad-leaved weeds. Must be applied with Vivolt at 0.1% v/v.

Target weeds (*dependent on growth stages): Charlock, Cleavers, Common Chickweed, Common Hemp-nettle, Redshank, Red deadnettle, Scentless mayweed, Small nettle, Volunteer oilseed rape, Black bindweed, Black nightshade, Knotgrass, Pale Persicaria and Fat hen.

See product labels for full details, restrictions and weed-control information for maize. For tank-mix compatibility, please contact us.