In situ validation of fungal N translocation to cereal rye mulches under no-till soybean production

A four site-year study was conducted in North Carolina to evaluate the effects of soybean planting timing and row spacing on soil moisture, weed density, soybean lodging, and yield in a cover crop-based no-till organic soybean production system. Soybean planting timing included roll-kill/planting and roll-kill/delayed planting where soybean planting occurred either on the same day or approximately 2 wk later, respectively. Soybean row spacing included 19, 38, and 76 cm, and all treatments included a weedy check and weed-free treatment. Rye biomass production averaged above 10,000 kg ha−1dry matter, which resulted in good weed control across all sites. Despite having good weed control throughout all treatments, weed coverage was highest in the 76-cm row-space treatment when compared to both the 19-cm and 38-cm row spacing in two of the four site-years. Soybean lodging is a potential consequence of no-till planting of soybeans in high residue mulches, and of the three row spacings, the 19-cm spacing exhibited the greatest incidence of lodging. Row spacing also influenced soybean yield; the 19- and 38-cm row spacing out yielded the 76-cm spacing by 10%. Soil volumetric water content (VWC) was higher in the cereal rye mulch treatments compared to the no rye checks. Furthermore, delaying soybean planting lowered soil water evaporation. However, the increased soil VWC in the rolled-rye treatment did not translate into increased soybean yield. The rolled-rye treatment exhibited significant (P < 0.01) increases in soil VWC when compared to the no-rye treatment at three of the four site-years. These results highlight planting date flexibility and potential risk to lodging that producers face when no-till planting organic soybeans.

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Overcoming Weed Management Challenges in Cover Crop–Based Organic Rotational No-Till Soybean Production in the Eastern United States

Weed Technology ◽

10.1614/wt-d-12-00078.1 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 27 (1) ◽

pp. 193-203 ◽

Cited By ~ 98

Author(s):

Steven B. Mirsky ◽

Matthew R. Ryan ◽

John R. Teasdale ◽

William S. Curran ◽

Chris S. Reberg-Horton ◽

...

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

Weed Management ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Ground Cover ◽

Weed Suppression ◽

Future Research ◽

Soybean Production ◽

Cereal Rye ◽

No Till ◽

Annual Weeds

Cover crop–based organic rotational no-till soybean production has attracted attention from farmers, researchers, and other agricultural professionals because of the ability of this new system to enhance soil conservation, reduce labor requirements, and decrease diesel fuel use compared to traditional organic production. This system is based on the use of cereal rye cover crops that are mechanically terminated with a roller-crimper to create in situ mulch that suppresses weeds and promotes soybean growth. In this paper, we report experiments that were conducted over the past decade in the eastern region of the United States on cover crop–based organic rotational no-till soybean production, and we outline current management strategies and future research needs. Our research has focused on maximizing cereal rye spring ground cover and biomass because of the crucial role this cover crop plays in weed suppression. Soil fertility and cereal rye sowing and termination timing affect biomass production, and these factors can be manipulated to achieve levels greater than 8,000 kg ha−1, a threshold identified for consistent suppression of annual weeds. Manipulating cereal rye seeding rate and seeding method also influences ground cover and weed suppression. In general, weed suppression is species-specific, with early emerging summer annual weeds (e.g., common ragweed), high weed seed bank densities (e.g. > 10,000 seeds m−2), and perennial weeds (e.g., yellow nutsedge) posing the greatest challenges. Due to the challenges with maximizing cereal rye weed suppression potential, we have also found high-residue cultivation to significantly improve weed control. In addition to cover crop and weed management, we have made progress with planting equipment and planting density for establishing soybean into a thick cover crop residue. Our current and future research will focus on integrated multitactic weed management, cultivar selection, insect pest suppression, and nitrogen management as part of a systems approach to advancing this new production system.

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Weed Control with Reduced Rates of Chlorimuron Plus Metribuzin and Imazethapyr in No-Till Narrow-Row Soybean (Glycine max)

Weed Technology ◽

10.1017/s0890037x00042536 ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

pp. 32-36 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

William G. Johnson ◽

Jeffrey S. Dilbeck ◽

Michael S. Defelice ◽

J. Andrew Kendig

Keyword(s):

Glycine Max ◽

Weed Control ◽

Field Studies ◽

Weed Suppression ◽

Crop Response ◽

Soybean Production ◽

No Till ◽

Giant Foxtail ◽

The Difference ◽

Narrow Row

Field studies were conducted at three locations in 1993 and 1994 to evaluate weed control and crop response to combinations of glyphosate, metolachlor, 0.5 X and 1 X label rates of chlorimuron plus metribuzin applied prior to planting (PP), and 0.5 X and 1 X label rates of imazethapyr applied early postemergence (EPOST) or postemergence (POST) in no-till narrow-row soybean production. Giant foxtail densities were reduced with sequential PP followed by (fb) EPOST or POST treatments. Large crabgrass was reduced equivalently with all herbicide combinations involving chlorimuron plus metribuzin PP fb imazethapyr. Common cocklebur control was variable but was usually greater with treatments that included imazethapyr. Ivyleaf morningglory densities were not reduced with any herbicide combinations. Sequential PP fb EPOST or POST treatments tended to provide slightly better weed suppression than PP-only treatments, but the difference was rarely significant. Soybean yields with treatments utilizing 0.5 X rates were usually equal to 1 X rates.

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Surface Application of Lime and Cover Black Oat and Corn Residues for No‐Till Soybean Production

Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis ◽

10.1080/00103620802135138 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 39 (13-14) ◽

pp. 2102-2118 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Eduardo Fávero Caires ◽

Fernando José Garbuio ◽

Gabriel Barth

Keyword(s):

Soybean Production ◽

Surface Application ◽

No Till ◽

Corn Residues

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Utility of Interseeded Winter Cereal Rye in Organic Soybean Production Systems

Agronomy Journal ◽

10.2134/agronj2004.0281 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 96 (1) ◽

pp. 281 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Kurt D. Thelen ◽

Dale R. Mutch ◽

Todd E. Martin

Keyword(s):

Production Systems ◽

Winter Cereal ◽

Soybean Production ◽

Cereal Rye

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Rolled–crimped cereal rye residue suppresses white mold in no-till soybean and dry bean

Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems ◽

10.1017/s174217051900022x ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 35 (6) ◽

pp. 599-607 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Sarah J. Pethybridge ◽

Bryan J. Brown ◽

Julie R. Kikkert ◽

Matthew R. Ryan

Keyword(s):

Weed Management ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Organic Production ◽

White Mold ◽

Control Treatment ◽

Dry Bean ◽

Cereal Rye ◽

No Till ◽

Density And Biomass ◽

Sclerotial Germination

AbstractWhite mold caused by the fungus, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum is a devastating disease of soybean (Glycine max) and other leguminous crops, including dry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris). Previous research has demonstrated that no-till planting soybean into rolled–crimped cereal rye residue can enhance weed management, improve soil health and reduce labor requirements in organic production. However, there are limited data on the effects of cereal rye residue on white mold suppression in no-till planted soybean and dry bean. Two field trials were conducted in 2016–2017 (Year 1) and repeated in 2017–2018 (Year 2) to evaluate the potential of cereal rye cover crop residue to suppress white mold in these crops. In each trial (soybean and dry bean), the experimental design was a randomized complete block with two treatments: (1) rolled–crimped cereal rye residue and (2) no cover crop control. Treatment effects on plant population, biomass and yield components varied between the main crops. Compared with the control treatment, cereal rye residue reduced the incidence of white mold in soybean in both years and in dry bean in Year 2. The reduction in white mold in cereal rye residue plots was due to a combination of (1) decreased sclerotial germination (no stipes formed) and (2) increased nonfunctional sclerotial germination defined here as sclerotia that germinated but produced stipes without the expanded cup where asci containing ascospores are formed. Weed density and biomass were lower in cereal rye residue plots in soybean and dry bean, except in Year 1 in soybean when weed biomass was low in both treatments. Our findings indicate that cereal rye residue could help organic and conventional farmers manage white mold in no-till planted soybean and dry bean. Germination of sclerotia resulting in nonfunctional apothecia could potentially exhaust soilborne inoculum in the upper soil profile and reduce infections in subsequent crops.

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Weed control with reduced rates of imazaquin and imazethapyr in no-till narrow-row soybean (Glycine max)

Weed Science ◽

10.1017/s004317450009024x ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 46 (1) ◽

pp. 105-110 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

William G. Johnson ◽

Jeffrey S. Dilbeck ◽

Michael S. DeFelice ◽

J. Andrew Kendig

Keyword(s):

Glycine Max ◽

Weed Control ◽

Field Studies ◽

Net Income ◽

Crop Response ◽

Soybean Production ◽

No Till ◽

Giant Foxtail ◽

Herbicide Treatments ◽

Narrow Row

Field studies were conducted at three locations in 1993 and 1994 to evaluate weed control and crop response to metolachlor plus combinations of 0.5 × and 1 × label rates of imazaquin applied preplant and imazethapyr applied early postemergence or postemergence in no-till narrow-row soybean production. Giant foxtail, common ragweed, common cocklebur, and large crabgrass population reductions were greater with sequential preplant metolachlor plus imazaquin followed by early postemergence or postemergence imazethapyr than with preplant metolachlor plus imazaquin or early postemergence/postemergence imazethapyr alone. Ivyleaf morningglory was not effectively controlled by any herbicide program. Pennsylvania smartweed populations were reduced with all herbicide treatments. Soybean yields with treatments utilizing 0.5 × rates were usually equal to 1 × rates if imazethapyr was applied early postemergence or postemergence. Net income with reduced herbicide rates was equal to full-label rates and provided no greater risk to net income.

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Utility of Residual Herbicides in No-till Double-Crop Glyphosate-Resistant Soybean Production

Crop Management ◽

10.1094/cm-2007-0122-01-rs ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 6 (1) ◽

pp. 1-6 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Timothy L. Grey

Keyword(s):

Soybean Production ◽

No Till

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Timing of Cover-Crop Management Effects on Weed Suppression in No-Till Planted Soybean using a Roller-Crimper

Weed Science ◽

10.1614/ws-d-10-00101.1 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 59 (3) ◽

pp. 380-389 ◽

Cited By ~ 98

Author(s):

S. B. Mirsky ◽

W. S. Curran ◽

D. M. Mortenseny ◽

M. R. Ryany ◽

D. L. Shumway

Keyword(s):

Weed Management ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Crop Management ◽

Biomass Accumulation ◽

Weed Suppression ◽

Hairy Vetch ◽

Cereal Rye ◽

No Till ◽

Termination Date ◽

Crop Biomass

Integrated weed management tactics are necessary to develop cropping systems that enhance soil quality using conservation tillage and reduced herbicide or organic weed management. In this study, we varied planting and termination date of two cereal rye cultivars (‘Aroostook’ and ‘Wheeler’) and a rye/hairy vetch mixture to evaluate cover-crop biomass production and subsequent weed suppression in no-till planted soybean. Cover crops were killed with a burn-down herbicide and roller-crimper and the weed-suppressive effects of the remaining mulch were studied. Cover-crop biomass increased approximately 2,000 kg ha−1from latest to earliest fall planting dates (August 25–October 15) and for each 10-d incremental delay in spring termination date (May 1–June 1). Biomass accumulation for cereal rye was best estimated using a thermal-based model that separated the effects of fall and spring heat units. Cultivars differed in their total biomass accumulation; however, once established, their growth rates were similar, suggesting the difference was mainly due to the earlier emergence of Aroostook rye. The earlier emergence of Aroostook rye may have explained its greater weed suppression than Wheeler, whereas the rye/hairy vetch mixture was intermediate between the two rye cultivars. Delaying cover-crop termination reduced weed density, especially for early- and late-emerging summer annual weeds in 2006. Yellow nutsedge was not influenced by cover-crop type or the timing of cover-crop management. We found that the degree of synchrony between weed species emergence and accumulated cover-crop biomass played an important role in defining the extent of weed suppression.

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Effectiveness of Cover Crop Termination Methods on No-Till Cantaloupe

Agriculture ◽

10.3390/agriculture12010066 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

pp. 66

Author(s):

Ted S. Kornecki ◽

Corey M. Kichler

Keyword(s):

Cover Crops ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Hairy Vetch ◽

Two Stage ◽

Cereal Rye ◽

Crimson Clover ◽

Termination Rate ◽

Growing Seasons ◽

No Till ◽

Crop Planting

In a no-till system, there are many different methods available for terminating cover crops. Mechanical termination, utilizing rolling and crimping technology, is one method that injures the plant without cutting the stems. Another popular and commercially available method is mowing, but this can cause problems with cover crop re-growth and loose residue interfering with the planter during cash crop planting. A field experiment was conducted over three growing seasons in northern Alabama to determine the effects of different cover crops and termination methods on cantaloupe yield in a no-till system. Crimson clover, cereal rye, and hairy vetch cover crops were terminated using two different roller-crimpers, including a two-stage roller-crimper for four-wheel tractors and a powered roller-crimper for a two-wheel walk-behind tractor. Cover crop termination rates were evaluated one, two, and three weeks after termination. Three weeks after rolling, a higher termination rate was found for flail mowing (92%) compared to lower termination rates for a two-stage roller (86%) and powered roller-crimper (85%), while the control termination rate was only 49%. There were no significant differences in cantaloupe yield among the rolling treatments, which averaged 38,666 kg ha−1. However, yields were higher for cereal rye and hairy vetch cover crops (41,785 kg ha−1 and 42,000 kg ha−1) compared to crimson clover (32,213 kg ha−1).

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