Weed Technology

Published by: Weed Science Society of America

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Weed Technology 18(1):186-192. 2004
doi: 10.1614/WT-03-095R1

Impact of Subsurface Tillage on Weed Dynamics in the Central Great Plains1

RANDY L. ANDERSON2

2Research Agronomist, USDA-ARS, 2923 Medary Avenue, Brookings, SD 57006. Corresponding author's

Maintaining crop residues on the soil surface has changed cropping practices in the Central Great Plains. Where previously winter wheat–fallow was the prevalent rotation, producers now grow warm-season crops in sequence with winter wheat and fallow. Controlling weeds during fallow with herbicides eliminates the need for tillage, thus conserving more crop residues. However, producers are considering subsurface tillage as an option to manage herbicide-resistant weeds. We reviewed the impact of subsurface tillage with the sweep plow on weed dynamics and crop growth compared with no-till systems. Cropping systems studies show that rotations can be designed to reduce weed community density severalfold; tillage lessens this rotational effect by burying weed seeds and prolonging their survival in soil. Crop residues on the soil surface reduce weed seedling establishment in no-till systems, but tillage eliminates this effect. Crops also yield less after tillage compared with no-till in this semiarid climate. Tillage may help in managing herbicide resistance, but it also may increase weed density as well as reduce crop yield.

Nomenclature: Winter wheat, Triticum aestivum L.

Additional index words: Crop residues, rotation design, seed bank dynamics, sweep plow.

Abbreviations: W-C-CP, winter wheat–corn–chickpea; W-CP, winter wheat–chickpea rotation; W-F, winter wheat–fallow.



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Figure 1. Weed density in four rotations of a cropping systems study, Pierre, SD. The study was initiated in 1990; weed community was assessed after the final weed management tactic occurred in each crop in 2000 and 2001. Means represent weed density averaged across all crops within each rotation across both years; bars with the same letter are not significantly different based on Fisher's LSD test (0.05). Abbreviations: W, winter wheat; CP, chickpea; C, corn; F, fallow; SB, soybean; and Pea, dry pea. (Adapted from Anderson 2003)

Figure 2. Suppression of weed seedling density as affected by quantity of winter wheat residue on the soil surface. Data represent weed emergence from March through September and are averaged across two sites and 2 yr in western Nebraska. Bars with the same letter are not significantly different based on Fisher's LSD test (0.05). (Adapted from Crutchfield et al. 1986)

Figure 3. Effect of winter wheat residue and tillage on weed density in corn. Residue level for normal treatment was approximately 4,000 and 6,000 kg/ha for the high treatment. Means were averaged across 3 yr. Bars with the same letter are not significantly different based on Fisher's LSD test (0.05). (Adapted from Anderson 1999)

Figure 4. Crop yield reduction in the Central Great Plains in tilled systems compared with no-till systems. All crops were planted after winter wheat with disk-opener planters. With corn, sorghum, proso millet, and sunflower, three operations with the sweep plow controlled weeds during the interval between winter wheat harvest and planting of the summer annual crop. With winter wheat, four to six operations with the sweep plow occurred during the fallow interval before planting winter wheat. Yields were significantly different between no-till and tilled treatments for all crops based on Fisher's LSD test (0.05). (Adapted from Anderson 1990a, 1990b; Anderson et al. 1996, 1999; and Wicks et al. 1988)

table

Table 1.Impact of tillage on differences in weed density when comparing a 4-yr rotation with a 2-yr rotationa. The studies at Akron, CO, and Pierre, SD, were started in 1990; the study at Wall, SD, was initiated in 1994. Weed community density was assessed in the 8th yr of the study at Akron and Wall and in the 11th yr of the study at Pierre. (Adapted from Anderson 2002, 2003)

Received for publication April 4, 2003, and in revised form June 27, 2003.

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. (2008) Diversity and No-Till: Keys for Pest Management in the U.S. Great Plains. Weed Science 56:1, 141-145
Online publication date: 1-Jan-2008.

Abstract & References : Full Text : PDF (135 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.
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