Weed Technology

Published by: Weed Science Society of America

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Weed Technology 14(3):630-634. 2000
doi: 10.1614/0890-037X(2000)014[0630:CSTAWM]2.0.CO;2

Cultural Systems to Aid Weed Management in Semiarid Corn (Zea mays)1

RANDY L. ANDERSON2

2Research Agronomist, USDA-ARS, 2923 Medary Avenue, Brookings, SD 57006. .

Abstract:Producers in the semiarid Great Plains are including corn (Zea mays) in dryland rotations; however, weed management is difficult because the corn canopy is not competitive with weeds. My objective was to determine if cultural practices can enhance corn's competitiveness with weeds, thus supplementing current weed management strategies. Cultural systems, comprised of different row spacing, plant population, and nitrogen placement, were evaluated for effects on foxtail millet (Setaria italica) growth during three growing seasons. A cultural system comprised of 38-cm row spacing, 47,000 plants/ha, and N banded near the seeds reduced foxtail millet biomass 60% compared with the conventional system of 76-cm row spacing, 37,000 plants/ha, and N broadcast. Narrow rows had the greatest effect on foxtail millet growth. Corn's tolerance to foxtail millet interference also was improved, as yield loss in the system with narrow rows, high population, and banded fertilizer was reduced threefold compared with the conventional system. Integrating cultural systems with rotation design and residue management will further strengthen weed management in semiarid corn production.

Nomenclature: Corn, Zea mays L. ‘Pioneer 3893’; foxtail millet, Setaria italica (L.) Beauv. ‘Golden German’.

Additional index words: Increased seeding rate, nitrogen placement, row spacing.



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Figure 1. The effect of cultural systems in corn on foxtail millet biomass. Biomass data are expressed as a percentage of the conventional system (37,000 plants/ha, 76-cm row spacing, and N broadcast) and are averaged across 3 yr. Treatment means with identical letters do not differ as determined by Fisher's protected LSD (α = 0.05). Fresh weight of foxtail millet in the conventional system was 780 g/m2

Figure 2. Photosynthetically active radiation transmittance through the corn canopy to the soil surface in the conventional system (37,000 plants/ha, 76-cm row spacing, and N broadcast) compared with the cultural system of 47,000 plants/ha, 38-cm row spacing, and N banding. Data are averaged across 2 yr. Asterisks indicate that means of the two systems differ within a corn development stage as determined by Fisher's protected LSD (α = 0.05)

table

Table 1. Effect of cultural practices on corn grain yield in weed-free conditions and yield loss in weed-infested conditions. Data are averaged across 3 yr

Received for publication January 25, 2000, and in revised form June 20, 2000.

AccuPAR, Decagon Devices, Inc., 950 NE Nelson Court, Pullman, WA 99163.

Cited by

Randy L. Anderson. (2008) Residue Management Tactics for Corn Following Spring Wheat. Weed Technology 22:1, 177-181
Online publication date: 1-Jan-2008.

Abstract & References : Full Text : PDF (131 KB) 

Randy L. Anderson. (2007) Managing weeds with a dualistic approach of prevention and control. A review. Agronomy for Sustainable Development 27:1, 13-18
Online publication date: 1-Feb-2007.
CrossRef
Sharon A. Clay, Bruce Kreutner, David E. Clay, Cheryl Reese, Jonathan Kleinjan, Frank Forcella. (2006) Spatial distribution, temporal stability, and yield loss estimates for annual grasses and common ragweed (Ambrosia artimisiifolia) in a corn/soybean production field over nine years. Weed Science 54:2, 380-390
Online publication date: 1-Mar-2006.

Abstract & References : Full Text : PDF (1812 KB) 

Jason K. Norsworthy, Marcos J. Oliveira. (2004) Comparison of the critical period for weed control in wide- and narrow-row corn. Weed Science 52:5, 802-807
Online publication date: 1-Sep-2004.

Abstract & References : Full Text : PDF (156 KB) 

RANDY L. ANDERSON. (2004) Sequencing Crops to Minimize Selection Pressure for Weeds in the Central Great Plains. Weed Technology 18:1, 157-164
Online publication date: 1-Jan-2004.

Abstract & References : Full Text : PDF (65 KB) 

H. R. Huarte, R. L Benech Arnold. (2003) Understanding mechanisms of reduced annual weed emergence in alfalfa. Weed Science 51:6, 876-885
Online publication date: 1-Nov-2003.

Abstract & References : Full Text : PDF (388 KB) 

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