After its introduction in the early 1960s, maize (silage) became the largest arable crop in the Netherlands. It is often grown in monoculture or in rotation with grass leys as in a large part of Europe too. Its introduction and monoculture induced weed shifts. Although initially not considered problematic, the C4 species Setaria viridis and Digitaria ischaemum became more prominent due to changing crop husbandry systems since the mid 1990s. Tolerance of these weeds to triazines and metolachlor forced farmers to adapt weed control strategies, i.e. use of herbicides with other modes of action. Also, reduced nutrient input, earlier sowing dates, and low tillage caused a slower early crop development and increased the need for adequate weed control in general.In today's herbicide portfolio in the Netherlands, control of S. viridis and D. ischaemum is marked as being most efficient with dimethenamide-P, isoxaflutole, S-metolachlor, and topramezone. The last one compound has a much higher degree of contact action than the predominant soil acting former three. This gives topramezone a rather unique position and, thus, Dutch crop advisors claim topramezone to be indispensable. In neighbouring countries the situation is comparable to the Dutch situation. In more Southern European countries (France, Spain) topramezone is not available, leading to a higher use of pre-emergence herbicide applications.The different weed control strategies for S. viridis and D. ischaemum, including non-chemical alternatives, are discussed together with economic aspects.Keywords: Control, Digitaria, distribution, Europe, Setaria, topramezoneVerbreitung, Bedeutung und Bekämpfung von Unkrauthirsen der Gattungen Setaria und Digitaria in den Niederlanden und die Situation in EuropaZusammenfassungNach seiner Einführung in den frühen 1960er Jahren wurde (Silo)Mais die bedeutendste landwirtschaftliche Kulturpflanze in den Niederlanden. Mais wird meist in Monokultur oder in Rotation mit Grünland angebaut, wie in großen Teilen Europas auch. Seine ...