Evaluating Mustard Seed Meal for Weed Suppression in Potato (Solanum tuberosum)

Mustard seed meal (MSM) derived from Sinapis alba controls weeds for several weeks following application to soil, but also has potential to injure the planted crop. Producers of certified organic potatoes typically utilize a combination of cover crops, soil hilling, harrowing, and cultivation for weed control. Once the potato canopy nears row closure, most late emerging weeds are suppressed by the dense potato canopy. MSM may have value for early season weed suppression in potato, but has not been previously tested. Our objectives were to determine the weed control efficacy and potato tolerance to MSM. We evaluated response of potatoes and weeds to MSM applied at 1.1, 2.2, and 4.5 MT ha-1 applied in a band on the potato hill just after a shallow harrowing and prior to potato emergence as part of an integrated weed management program in potatoes. MSM applied at 2.2 and 4.5 MT ha-1 reduced early season grass and broadleaf weed density 73 to 99% and 54 to 98%, respectively, in potato and reduced late season broadleaf weed biomass 71 to 94% in all three years tested. Early season grass weed density in potato was reduced by MSM at 2.2 and 4.5 MT ha-1. Late season grass weed biomass was reduced by the highest rate of 4.5 MT ha-1. MSM at 4.5 MT ha-1 caused minor injury to potato (3 to 15%) at 3 weeks after emergence, but did not reduce total tuber yields or percentage of US No.1 tubers. MSM could be a component of an integrated weed control program in potato.

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Mechanical Termination of Diverse Cover Crop Mixtures for Improved Weed Suppression in Organic Cropping Systems

Weed Science ◽

10.1614/ws-d-12-00066.1 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 61 (1) ◽

pp. 162-170 ◽

Cited By ~ 30

Author(s):

Sam E. Wortman ◽

Charles A. Francis ◽

Mark A. Bernards ◽

Erin E. Blankenship ◽

John L. Lindquist

Keyword(s):

Weed Control ◽

Cover Crops ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Relative Yield ◽

Residue Management ◽

Yield Reduction ◽

Weed Biomass ◽

Early Season ◽

Species Mixture ◽

Grass Weed

Cover crops can provide many benefits in agroecosystems, including the opportunity for improved weed control. However, the weed suppressive potential of cover crops may depend on the species (or mixture of species) chosen, and the method of cover crop termination and residue management. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of cover crop mixture and mechanical termination method on weed biomass and density, and relative crop yield in an organic cropping system. A field experiment was conducted from 2009 to 2011 near Mead, NE, where spring-sown mixtures of two, four, six, and eight cover crop species were included in a sunflower–soybean–corn crop rotation. Cover crops were planted in late March, terminated in late May using a field disk or sweep plow undercutter, and main crops were planted within 1 wk of termination. Terminating cover crops with the undercutter consistently reduced early-season grass weed biomass, whereas termination with the field disk typically stimulated grass weed biomass relative to a no cover crop control (NC). The effects of cover crop mixture were not evident in 2009, but the combination of the undercutter and the eight-species mixture reduced early-season weed biomass by 48% relative to the NC treatment in 2010. Cover crops provided less weed control in 2011, where only the combination of the undercutter and the two-species mixture reduced weed biomass (by 31%) relative to the NC treatment. Termination with the undercutter resulted in relative yield increases of 16.6 and 22.7% in corn and soybean, respectively. In contrast, termination with the field disk resulted in a relative yield reduction of 13.6% in soybean. The dominant influence of termination method highlights the importance of appropriate cover crop residue management in maximizing potential agronomic benefits associated with cover crops.

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Spring-planted cover crops for weed control in soybean

Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems ◽

10.1017/s1742170521000107 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-8

Author(s):

Katja Koehler-Cole ◽

Christopher A. Proctor ◽

Roger W. Elmore ◽

David A. Wedin

Keyword(s):

Weed Control ◽

Biomass Production ◽

Cover Crops ◽

Weed Management ◽

Block Design ◽

Weed Suppression ◽

Crop Species ◽

Cold Temperatures ◽

Weed Biomass ◽

Small Grains

Abstract Replacing tillage with cover crops (CC) for weed management in corn (Zea mays L.)-soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] systems with mechanical weed control has many soil health benefits but in the western Corn Belt, CC establishment after harvest is hampered by cold temperatures, limited labor and few compatible CC species. Spring-planted CC may be an alternative, but information is lacking on suitable CC species. Our objective was to evaluate four spring-planted CC with respect to biomass production and weed suppression, concurrent with CC growth and post-termination. Cover crop species tested were oat (Avena sativa L.), barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), brown mustard [Brassica juncea (L.) Czern.] and yellow mustard (Brassica hirta Moench). They were compared to no-CC treatments that were either tilled pre- and post-planting of soybean (no-CC tilled) or not tilled at all (no-CC weedy). CC were planted in late March to early April, terminated 52–59 days later using an undercutter, and soybean was planted within a week. The experiment had a randomized complete block design with four replications and was repeated for 3 years. Mustards and small grains produced similar amounts of biomass (1.54 Mg ha−1) but mustard biomass production was more consistent (0.85–2.72 Mg ha−1) than that of the small grains (0.35–3.81 Mg ha−1). Relative to the no-CC weedy treatment, mustards suppressed concurrent weed biomass in two out of 3 years, by 31–97%, and small grains suppressed concurrent weed biomass in only 1 year, by 98%. Six weeks after soybean planting, small grains suppressed weed biomass in one out of 3 years, by 79% relative to the no-CC weedy treatment, but mustards did not provide significant weed suppression. The no-CC tilled treatment suppressed weeds each year relative to the no-CC weedy treatment, on average 87%. The ineffective weed control by CC reduced soybean biomass by about 50% six weeks after planting. While spring-planted CC have the potential for pre-plant weed control, they do not provide adequate early season weed suppression for soybean.

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Influence of a Rye Cover Crop on the Critical Period for Weed Control in Cotton

Weed Science ◽

10.1614/ws-d-14-00075.1 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 63 (1) ◽

pp. 346-352 ◽

Cited By ~ 22

Author(s):

Nicholas E. Korres ◽

Jason K. Norsworthy

Keyword(s):

Weed Control ◽

Cover Crops ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Critical Period ◽

Yield Loss ◽

Growing Season ◽

Weed Biomass ◽

Weed Density ◽

Presence And Absence ◽

Weed Removal

Cover crops are becoming increasingly common in cotton as a result of glyphosate-resistant Palmer amaranth; hence, a field experiment was conducted in 2009 and 2010 in Marianna, AR, with a rye cover crop used to determine its effects on the critical period for weed control in cotton. Throughout most of the growing season, weed biomass in the presence of a rye cover crop was lesser than that in the absence of a rye cover crop. In 2009, in weeks 2 through 7 after planting, weed biomass was reduced at least twofold in the presence of a rye cover compared with the absence of rye. In 2009, in both presence and absence of a rye cover crop, weed removal needed to begin before weed biomass was 150 g m−2, or approximately 4 wk after planting, to prevent yield loss > 5%. Weed density was less in 2010 than in 2009, so weed removal was not required until 7 wk after planting, at which point weed biomass values were 175 and 385 g m−2in the presence and absence of a cover crop, respectively.

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Cover crops as green mulching for weed management in rice

Italian Journal of Agronomy ◽

10.4081/ija.2021.1850 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Silvia Fogliatto ◽

Lorenzo Patrucco ◽

Fernando De Palo ◽

Barbara Moretti ◽

Marco Milan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Weed Control ◽

Cover Crops ◽

Low Temperatures ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Rice Yield ◽

Frost Damage ◽

Weed Suppression ◽

Italian Ryegrass ◽

Crop Species ◽

Weed Density

A field study was carried out in 2017 and 2018 in two Italian rice farms (at Livorno Ferraris and Rovasenda) to assess the effect of using cover crops as green mulching on weed control and rice yield. In each site, three different rice fields were sown after rice harvest with either Vicia villosa, Lolium multiflorum, or a mixture of both (V. villosa 40% + L. multiflorum 60%); at Rovasenda a small percentage of Brassica napus and Triticale was also present in the mixture. An additional field at both sites without cover crop was considered as a control reference. Rice was broadcasted sown within the cover crop in May. After few days, the cover crop was terminated in half of each field using a roller-crimper, while in the other half it was terminated by shredding. Within 10 days, the fields were flooded for about a week to promote the degradation of the cover crop biomass. Then, the fields were cultivated in flooding conditions without further weed control. Weed density and weed cover were evaluated thrice during the growing season. At harvest, rice yield and harvest index were determined. Mixed nested ANOVAs were performed for each site to assess the effect of cover crop species, termination technique, and the interaction between cover crop and year. L. multiflorum showed a high biomass before termination, while V. villosa had a more variable development. At Rovasenda, V. villosa growth was limited because of the combination of scarce emergence due to sod-seeding and frost damage. In general, green mulching significantly affected weed density. The best weed suppression was observed with L. multiflorum and mix at Rovasenda, with values of weed density <40 plants m-2 recorded in 2018. At both sites, rice yield was variable in the two years. The highest rice yield (>5 t ha-1) was observed in 2018 in the shredded mixture at Rovasenda and in V. villosa at Livorno Ferraris in 2017. Generally, control fields showed lower yields (1-3 t ha-1) at both sites. The termination methods did not significantly affect both weed density and rice yield. The results highlighted that green mulching could reduce weed infestations, even though alone is not able to completely avoid weed development. Some critical issues of the technique were observed, such as the need of a good cover crop establishment, that eventually results in abundant biomass production and significant weed suppression. Highlights - Green mulching reduces weed pressure but it should be integrated with other weed control techniques. - Hairy vetch showed poor establishment because of the combination of scarce emergence due to sod-seeding and low temperatures. - Italian ryegrass was more tolerant to low temperatures and showed a good cover that contained weed growth. - Cover crop mixture showed variable results with higher suppression probably related to the number of cover crop species present in the mixture. - The termination methods (crimping and shredding) did not affect weed density and rice yield.

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Evaluating Mustard Seed Meal for Weed Suppression in Borage (Borago officinalis L.) Cultivation

Acta Agrobotanica ◽

10.5586/aa.7328 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 73 (2) ◽

Author(s):

Andrzej Borowy ◽

Magdalena Kapłan

Keyword(s):

Organic Matter Content ◽

Amaranthus Retroflexus ◽

Weed Suppression ◽

Growth And Yield ◽

Seed Meal ◽

Mustard Seed ◽

Oil Composition ◽

Borago Officinalis ◽

Weed Density ◽

Weight Content

A field experiment was carried out in Felin Experimental Farm (2019) in Lublin region (Poland) in order to determine the effect of white mustard (Sinapis alba L.) seed meal (MSM) on weed density as well as on borage plant growth and yield under field cultivation. MSM scattered on soil surface at rates of 2 and 3 t ha−1 when weeds emerged and a day before emergence of borage did not affect the number of borage seedlings but caused transient growth stunting and chlorosis of cotyledons and first leaves. However, final plant height, yield of above-ground parts, mericarp dimensions and weight, content of oil in mericarps, and oil composition were not significantly affected by MSM treatment. At harvest, MSM had decomposed completely, supplying considerable amounts of phosphorus, potassium, and magnesium to the soil, but did not affect its pH or organic matter content. MSM suppressed weed density by 37%–46% during the period of highest sensivity of borage to weed competition. Among dominant weeds occurring in the experiment, Gnaphalium uliginosum and Stellaria media were the most susceptible to MSM, while Amaranthus retroflexus and Galinsoga ciliata were mildly susceptible, Echinochloa cruss-galli and Poa annua were less susceptible, and the least susceptible species was Capsella bursa-pastoris. Obtained results show that MSM may have value for early season weed suppression in borage cultivation.

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Late-Season Weed Control in Glyphosate-Resistant Sugarbeet

Weed Technology ◽

10.1614/wt-d-10-00057.1 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 25 (3) ◽

pp. 350-355 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Robert G. Wilson ◽

Gustavo M. Sbatella

Keyword(s):

Weed Control ◽

Growth Stage ◽

Leaf Growth ◽

Field Trials ◽

Weed Suppression ◽

Growth Stages ◽

Weed Density ◽

Late Season ◽

True Leaf ◽

Weed Growth

Field trials were conducted from 2006 through 2008 to determine the influence of ethofumesate applied at planting followed by dimethenamid-p ors-metolachlor applied to emerged sugarbeet for late-season weed control in glyphosate-resistant sugarbeet. The entire plot area was kept weed-free until mid-June by applying glyphosate at the four- and eight-true-leaf sugarbeet growth stages. Glyphosate was not applied from mid-June until late-July to allow weed growth as a measure of the residual benefit from ethofumesate, dimethenamid-p, ands-metolachlor applied earlier in the growing season. Dimethenamid-p was not as effective ass-metolachlor in reducing weed density in mid-July. Late-season weed suppression from boths-metolachlor and dimethenamid-p benefitted from ethofumesate applied at planting. Dimethenamid-p applied when sugarbeet reached the six-true-leaf growth stage reduced weed density and sugarbeet injury more than earlier applications. The lowest weed density in mid-July was achieved whens-metolachlor was applied at the six- to eight-true-leaf sugarbeet growth stage compared to earlier growth stages. A planting time application of ethofumesate followed by two glyphosate applications pluss-metolachlor at the eight-true-leaf sugarbeet growth stage provided 89% more weed control in mid-July than glyphosate alone. Suppressing late-season weed development increased sugarbeet root yield 15% compared with areas not receiving ethofumesate ands-metolachlor.

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Influence of Cover Crop and Herbicide Treatment on Weed Control and Yield in No-Till Sweet Corn (Zea maysL.) and Pumpkin (Cucurbita maximaDuch.)

Weed Technology ◽

10.1017/s0890037x00040069 ◽

1996 ◽

Vol 10 (2) ◽

pp. 341-346 ◽

Cited By ~ 20

Author(s):

Bethany A. Galloway ◽

Leslie A. Weston

Keyword(s):

Weed Control ◽

Cover Crops ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Sweet Corn ◽

Total Yield ◽

Weed Suppression ◽

Herbicide Application ◽

Weed Biomass ◽

Crimson Clover ◽

Herbicide Treatment

Sweet corn and pumpkin were planted no-tillage (NT) into cover crop residue treatments of vetch, rye, crimson clover, and ladino clover controlled with glyphosate, and a bare ground conventional tillage (CT) control. Objectives included evaluation of crop growth, yield, and weed suppression in NT versus CT treatments. Herbicide application was also investigated, with a plus and minus herbicide treatment (alachlor plus cyanazine for sweet corn, or ethalfluralin for pumpkin) as the main factor in the factorial experiment, and cover crops the subfactors. Weed control 4 wk after planting was dependent upon cover crop. The fewest weed numbers and least biomass were found in the ladino clover plots, but clover regrowth and subsequent competition with the cash crop were severe. Herbicides also affected weed biomass at 4 wk after vegetable planting, with least biomass in herbicide-treated plots. Neither cover crop nor herbicide treatment significantly affected weed weight by 8 wk after planting or pumpkin fruit weight at harvest. Pumpkin yield was not influenced by herbicide application. The vetch cover, although harboring greatest weed biomass, produced the greatest total yield (ear weight) in sweet corn. When averaged over cover crop, sweet corn yields were higher in herbicide-treated plots than in untreated ones. Both sweet corn and pumpkin maturity were generally delayed in the absence of herbicide treatments or in the presence of cover crop residues, especially clover and rye residues.

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Early Season Weed Suppression in Buckwheat Using Clopyralid

Weed Technology ◽

10.1614/wt-08-049.1 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 22 (4) ◽

pp. 707-712 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Ona Sakaliene ◽

Sharon A. Clay ◽

William C. Koskinen ◽

Gediminas Almantas

Keyword(s):

Weed Control ◽

Direct Application ◽

Weed Suppression ◽

Weed Seed ◽

Weed Biomass ◽

Early Season ◽

Common Lambsquarters ◽

Wild Buckwheat ◽

Leaf Stage ◽

Density Reduction

Currently there are no herbicides registered for direct application to buckwheat for broadleaf weed control. This 4-yr Lithuanian study examined weed control using several rates of clopyralid alone or combined with a single rate of desmedipham. Most applications were applied at the 1-leaf stage of crop growth, however, one rate of clopyralid was applied pre-emergence (PRE) in 2 of the 4 yr. Buckwheat injury was evident within a few days after application (or emergence) with all treatments, but by harvest, no symptoms were evident. In the 2 yr with greatest weed densities, densities were reduced with increasing clopyralid rates alone or with desmediphan. However, weed biomass and density were similar to the nontreated control at harvest. Common lambsquarters, scentless mayweed, wild buckwheat, and narrowleaf hawksbeard were species that were best (> 40% density reduction) controlled with clopyralid. With few exceptions, buckwheat yield in all herbicide-treated plots was similar to the nontreated control. Because yield was not increased with these herbicides, other weed control benefits, such as reduced interference with harvesting equipment or less dockage due to weed seed contamination, must be carefully weighed against the costs of herbicide and application and crop injury that reduced early-season vigor.

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Integrative Approaches for Weed Management in Organic Citrus Orchards

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.41.4.998a ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 41 (4) ◽

pp. 998A-998

Author(s):

Jose Linares ◽

Johannes Scholberg ◽

Carlene Chase ◽

Robert McSorley ◽

James Fergusson

Keyword(s):

Weed Control ◽

Cover Crops ◽

Weed Management ◽

Pigeon Pea ◽

Weed Suppression ◽

Velvet Bean ◽

Weed Biomass ◽

Crimson Clover ◽

Weed Growth ◽

Sunn Hemp

Lack of effective weed control may hamper organic citrus establishment. Cover crop/weed biomass (CCW) indices were used to assess the effectiveness of annual and perennial cover crops (CC) in reducing weed growth. The CCW values for perennial peanut (PP) were 0.06, 0.14, 0.4, and 0.5 during 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2005, respectively (very poor to poor weed control). Initial PP growth was slow and repeated mowing was required, but, over time, PP became more effective in controlling weeds. Weed biomass with sunn hemp was 0.3 Mg/ha in 2002 (CCW = 25, outstanding weed control) compared to 1.4 Mg/ha with use of cowpea (CCW = 1) in 2004. In 2004, the dry weights (Mg/ha) for different summer CC were: hairy indigo = 7.6, pigeon pea = 7.6, sunn hemp = 5.3, cowpea = 5.1, alyce clover = 2.9, velvet bean = 1.3, and lablab bean = 0.8. Corresponding 2005 values were: 9.5, 3.7, 12.6, 1.0, 1.9, and 1.4. Respective CCWI values were: 7, 4, 2, 16, 28, 0.6, and 0.3 (2004) vs. 17, 2, 64, 80, 0.5, 2, and 14. In 2004, winter CC production (Mg/ha) was radish (R) = 3.2, crimson clover (CR) = 1.7, oats (O) + lupine = 1.6, and rye (WR)/vetch (V) mix = 1.1. Results for 2005 were: CR + R + WR = 8.0, WR = 6.0; CR + WR = 5.3, CR = 5.0, CR + O + WR = 5.0, R = 4.3, and O = 3.6 Mg/ha. Corresponding values for CCW-indices were 15, 2, 1, and 3 (2004) and 100, 25, 76, 35, 62, 11, and 16 (2005). Although OMRI-approved herbicides showed up to 84% weed injury for selected species, none of these products provided long-term weed control. Combination of repeated tillage, use of compact/reseeding CC mixes in tree rows, more vigorous annual CC and/or perennial PP in row middle and repeated use of organic herbicides near sprinklers and tree trunks are thus required to ensure effective weed suppression in organic citrus.

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The Effect of Trifluralin Applied Preplant on Grass Weed Control and Establishment and Yield of Barley (Hordeum vulgare)

Weed Technology ◽

10.1017/s0890037x00045346 ◽

1997 ◽

Vol 11 (3) ◽

pp. 515-519 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Julio A. Scursoni ◽

Emilio H. Satorre

Keyword(s):

Weed Control ◽

Field Experiments ◽

Herbicide Application ◽

Planting Pattern ◽

Weed Density ◽

Time Of Application ◽

Density And Biomass ◽

And Control ◽

Crop Planting ◽

Grass Weed

The objective of this paper was to evaluate the effect of preplant applications of trifluralin on barley stand and yield, and control of grass weeds in field experiments during 1992 and 1993. Factors examined were: (1) crop planting patterns (conventional drill with rows 15 cm apart and deep-seeder drill with rows 25 cm apart), (2) herbicide application times (22 d before sowing and immediately before sowing), and (3) herbicide application. During 1993, hand-weeded plots also were established. Trifluralin applied preplant at 528 g ai/ha reduced weed density and biomass. Weed control was higher under conventional planting than under the deep planting pattern, and there was no effect of the time of application on herbicide efficacy. There was no herbicide injury to the crop, and grain yield was higher in treated than in untreated plots due to successful weed control.

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