Volunteer corn requires attention before planting.

THE corn tiguera, also called corn Voluntary weeds require attention in crop planning because they arise from grains that remain in the field after the previous harvest. According to the Herbicide Resistance Action Committee (HRAC-BR), the presence of these plants can cause significant impacts on the production system when control is not carried out properly.

Among the main effects is competition with the main crop for water, light, and nutrients. This competition can harm the initial establishment of the crop and reduce its productive potential, especially when volunteer plants remain in the area during important phases of crop development.

Volunteer corn can also harbor active pests and diseases between harvests. In this scenario, the remaining plants act as a breeding ground for harmful organisms, increasing phytosanitary pressure and expanding the need for attention to area management before planting the next crop.

Another point of concern relates to integrated weed management. The presence of volunteer corn in the system can favor the selection of resistant populations when control measures are adopted inadequately or repeatedly.

The recommendation is to prioritize control during the pre-planting period, incorporating this action into crop planning. Management can combine cultural and mechanical practices and, when necessary, the judicious use of herbicides. In this case, rotating herbicide mechanisms is recommended as part of the strategy to reduce risks and make control more efficient throughout the production system.