Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-8bhkd Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-05T12:19:30.976Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Critical Period for Weed Control in Alfalfa

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2017

Bryan L. Dillehay ,
William S. Curran  and
David A. Mortensen
Bryan L. Dillehay
Affiliation:
Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802
William S. Curran*
Affiliation:
Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802
David A. Mortensen
Affiliation:
Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802
*
Corresponding author's E-mail: [email protected]
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

The critical period for weed control for many crops has been well investigated and the results have been used to develop better weed management recommendations. However, research is limited on the critical period for weed control for alfalfa, a perennial crop with multiple harvests. With the advent of new, more effective POST herbicides for alfalfa, an understanding of the critical period may further enhance forage yield. The objective of this study was to determine the critical period for weed control in spring-seeded alfalfa. Alfalfa was seeded conventionally at two locations in Pennsylvania in the spring of 2004 and 2005; glyphosate and glyphosate-resistant alfalfa were used for weed management. A surrogate weed, Japanese millet, was seeded at three planting rates to simulate varied levels of weed density. In the analysis, the critical period for weed control was identified for the 2004 seedings, but not for 2005. In 2004, the critical period varied by location, but began at the 0.5 trifoliate alfalfa growth stage and ended at the 7 trifoliate growth stage. When identified, the critical period was similar for both first-harvest yield and first-year cumulative yield. Higher weed density caused the critical period to begin earlier than under lower weed densities, but weed density had no effect on when the critical period ended. Under moderate to heavy weed populations, the critical period for weed control can increase herbicide use efficiency and maximize alfalfa returns, although under low weed severity, the critical period may not exist.

Keywords

Glyphosatealfalfa, Medicago sativa LJapanese millet, Echinochloa frumentacea LinkGlyphosate-resistant alfalfa
Type
Weed Biology and Ecology
Information
Weed Science , Volume 59 , Issue 1 , March 2011 , pp. 68 - 75
Copyright
Copyright © Weed Science Society of America 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

Footnotes

Current address: Monsanto Company, 276 Decker Road, Centre Hall, PA 16828.

References

Literature Cited

Aldrich, R. J. and Kremer, R. J. 1997. Nature of weed competition. Pages 169–202 in Aldrich, R. J. and Kremer, R. J., eds. Principles in Weed Management. Ames, IA Iowa State University Press.Google Scholar
Arregui, M. C., Sanchez, D., and Scotta, R. 2001. Weed control in established alfalfa (Medicago sativa) with postemergence herbicides. Weed Technol. 15:424–428.Google Scholar
Booth, B. D., Murphy, S. D., and Swanton, C. J. 2003. The structure and dynamics of populations. Pages 29–48 in Booth, B. D., Murphy, S. D., and Swanton, C. J., eds. Weed Ecology in Natural and Agricultural Systems. Cambridge, MA CABI.Google Scholar
Brothers, B. A., Schmidt, J. R., Kells, J. J., and Hesterman, O. B. 1994. Alfalfa establishment with and without spring-applied herbicides. J. Prod. Agric. 7:494–501.Google Scholar
Cords, H. P. 1973. Weeds and alfalfa hay quality. Weed Sci. 21:400–401.Google Scholar
Cowan, P., Weaver, S. E., and Swanton, C. J. 1998. Interference between pigweed (Amaranthus spp.), barnyardgrass (Echinochloa crus-galli), and soybean (Glycine max). Weed Sci. 46:533–539.Google Scholar
Curran, W. S., Lingenfelter, D. D., Calvin, D. D., Tooker, J. F., and Dillon, J. M. 2008. Forages pest management. Pages 321–346 in Kirsten, A., ed. The Agronomy Guide 2009–2010, #AGRS-026. University Park, PA Penn State University.Google Scholar
Dillehay, B. L. and Curran, W. S. 2006. Guidelines for Weed Management in Roundup Ready Alfalfa, Agronomy Facts 65, #UC193. University Park, PA Penn State University, p. 4.Google Scholar
Fick, G. W., Holt, D. A., and Lugg, D. G. 1988. Environmental physiology and crop growth. Pages 163–194 in Hanson, A. A., Barnes, D. K., and Hill, R. R. J. Jr., eds. Alfalfa and Alfalfa Improvement, Agron. Monogr. 29. Madison, WI ASA.Google Scholar
Fischer, A. J., Dawson, J. H., and Appleby, A. P. 1988. Interference of annual weeds in seedling alfalfa (Medicago sativa). Weed Sci. 36:583–588.Google Scholar
Gunsolus, J. L. and Buhler, D. D. 1999. A risk management perspective on integrated weed management. Pages 167–188 in Buhler, D. D., ed. Expanding the Context of Weed Management. New York Food Product Press.Google Scholar
Hall, M. H. 2008. Forages. Pages 87–108 in Kirsten, A., ed. The Agronomy Guide 2009–2010, #AGRS-026. University Park, PA Penn State University.Google Scholar
Hall, M. H., Curran, W. S., Werner, E. L., and Marshall, L. E. 1995. Evaluation of weed control practices during spring and summer alfalfa establishment. J. Prod. Agric. 8:360–365.Google Scholar
Hall, M. R., Swanton, C. J., and Anderson, G. W. 1992. The critical period of weed control in grain corn (Zea mays). Weed Sci. 40:441–447.Google Scholar
Kapusta, G. and Strieker, C. F. 1975. Selective control of downy brome in alfalfa. Weed Sci. 23:202–206.Google Scholar
Knezevic, S. Z., Evans, S. P., Blankenship, E. E., Van Acker, R. C., and Lindquist, J. L. 2002. Critical period for weed control: the concept and data analysis. Weed Sci. 50:773–786.Google Scholar
Kuehn, C. S., Jung, H. G., Linn, J. G., and Martin, N. P. 1999. Characteristics of alfalfa hay quality grades based on the relative feed value index. J. Prod. Agric. 12:681–684.Google Scholar
Martin, S. G., Van Acker, R. C., and Friesen, L. F. 2001 Critical period of weed control in spring canola. Weed Sci. 49:326–333.Google Scholar
McCordick, S. A., Hillger, D. E., Leep, R. H., and Kells, J. J. 2008. Establishment systems for glyphosate-resistant alfalfa. Weed Technol. 22:22–29.Google Scholar
Mohler, C. L. 2001. Enhancing the competitive ability of crops. Pages 269–321 in Liebman, M., Mohler, C. L., and Staver, C. P., eds. Ecological Management of Agricultural Weeds. New York Cambridge University Press.Google Scholar
Moyer, J. R. 1985. Effect of weed control and companion crop on alfalfa and sainfoin establishment, yields and nutrient composition. Can. J. Plant. Sci. 65:107–116.Google Scholar
Ott, P. M., Dawson, J. H., and Appleby, A. P. 1989. Volunteer wheat (Triticum aestivum) in newly seeded alfalfa (Medicago sativa). Weed Technol. 3:375–380.Google Scholar
Pike, D. R. and Stritzke, J. F. 1984. Alfalfa (Medicago sativa)–cheat (Bromus secalinus) competition. Weed Sci. 32:751–756.Google Scholar
Smith, D. 1969. Influence of temperature on the yield and chemical composition of ‘Vernal’ alfalfa at first flower. Agron. J. 61:470–472.Google Scholar
Spandl, E., Kells, J. J., and Hesterman, O. B. 1999. Weed invasion in new stands of alfalfa seeded with perennial forage grasses and an oat companion crop. Crop Sci. 39:1120–1124.Google Scholar
Stauber, L. G., Smith, R. J. Jr., and Talbert, R. E. 1991. Density and spatial interference of barnyardgrass (Echinochloa crus-galli) with rice (Orzya sativa). Weed Sci. 39:163–168.Google Scholar
Stout, W. L., Byers, R. A., Leath, K. T., Bahler, C. C., and Hoffman, L. D. 1992. Effects of weed and invertebrate control on alfalfa establishment in oat stubble. J. Prod. Agric. 5:349–352.Google Scholar
Summers, C. G. 1998. Integrated pest management in forage alfalfa. Int. Pest Man. Rev. 3:127–154.Google Scholar
Vail, G. D. and Oliver, L. R. 1993. Barnyardgrass (Echinochloa crus-galli) interference in soybeans (Glycine max). Weed Technol. 7:220–225.Google Scholar
Van Acker, C. R., Swanton, C. J., and Weise, S. F. 1993. The critical period of weed control in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.]. Weed Sci. 41:194–200.Google Scholar
Weaver, S. E., Kropff, M. J., and Groeneveld, R. W. 1992. Use of ecophysiological models for crop-weed interference: the critical period of weed interference. Weed Sci. 40:302–307.Google Scholar
Zimdahl, R. L. 2004. The effect of competition duration. Pages 109–130 in Zimdahl, R. L., ed. Weed-crop competition: A review. 2nd ed. Ames, IA Blackwell.Google Scholar