Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-mkpzs Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-23T05:35:27.212Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Integrating Reduced Herbicide Use with Mechanical Weeding in Corn (Zea mays)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 June 2017

Thomas A. Mulder
Affiliation:
Dep. Agron., Univ. of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706
Jerry D. Doll
Affiliation:
Dep. Agron., Univ. of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706

Abstract

Concern about the effects of pesticides on the environment and the desire to reduce purchased inputs are stimuli to reduce herbicide use. Field research was conducted at two locations for two growing seasons to identify integrated weed management practices in corn that are effective and economical. Weed control treatments included PRE application of a herbicide mixture of 1.8 kg ai ha−1 of atrazine plus 2.2 kg ai ha−1 of metolachlor alone, this mixture broadcast or band-applied at a reduced rate in combination with mechanical weeding, and mechanical weeding alone. Weed control, corn yield, and economic returns were generally higher in treatments combining herbicides and mechanical weeding than those using only mechanical measures. Without herbicides, timeliness of rotary hoeing was critical. Herbicide use can be reduced 50 to 75% in integrated systems with minimal risk of yield loss due to uncontrolled weeds.

Type
Research
Copyright
Copyright © 1993 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.)

References

Literature Cited

1. Armstrong, D. L., Leasure, J. K., and Corbin, M. R. 1968. Comparisons of mechanical and chemical weed control. Weed Sci. 16:369371.Google Scholar
2. Buchholtz, K. P. and Doersch, R. E. 1968. Cultivation and herbicides for weed control in corn. Weed Sci. 16:232234.Google Scholar
3. Dowler, C. C., Hauser, E. W., and Johnson, A. W. 1974. Crop-herbicide sequence on a southeastern coastal plain soil. Weed Sci. 22:500505.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
4. Hartzler, R. and VanKooten, B. 1991. Demonstration of weed management practices for improved energy management and reduced potential for water contamination in Integrated Farm Management Demonstration Program 1990. Progress Report. Iowa State Univ. Ext. Publ. PM-1417.Google Scholar
5. Laflen, J. M., Amemiya, M., and Hintz, E. A. 1981. Measuring crop residue cover. J. Soil Water Conserv. 36:341343.Google Scholar
6. Lybecker, D. W., Schweizer, E. E., and King, R. P. 1988. Economic analysis of four weed management systems. Weed Sci. 36:846849.Google Scholar
7. Moomaw, R. S. and Robison, L. R. 1970. A comparison of several herbicide band widths combined with mechanical weed control in soybeans. Proc. North Cent. Weed Control Conf. 25:8789.Google Scholar
8. Moomaw, R. S. and Robison, L. R. 1973. Broadcast or banded atrazine plus propachlor with tillage variables in corn. Weed Sci. 21:106109.Google Scholar
9. Moomaw, R. S. and Robison, L. R. 1973. Broadcast or banded atrazine + propachlor with tillage variables in grain sorghum. Agron. J. 65:274276.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
10. Regnier, E. E. and Janke, R. R. 1990. Evolving strategies for managing weeds. p. 174202 in Edwards, C. A., Lau, R., Madden, D., Miller, R. H., and House, G., eds. Sustainable Agricultural Systems. Iowa Soil and Water Conservation Soc. Google Scholar
11. Schuler, R. T. and Frank, G. G. 1991. Estimating agricultural field machinery costs. Univ. Wis. Ext. Publ. A3510.Google Scholar
12. Siemens, J. C. and McGlamery, M. D. 1985. Herbicide performance with different tillage systems. Paper no. 85–1010. Am. Soc. Agric. Eng. 14 p.Google Scholar
13. Van Doren, D. M. Jr. 1965. Influence of plowing, disking, cultivation, previous crop and surface residues on corn yield. Proc. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. 29:595597.Google Scholar
14. Warrington, I. J. and Kanemasu, E. T. 1983. Corn growth response to temperature and photoperiod I. Seedling emergence, tassel initiation, and anthesis. Agron. J. 75:749754.Google Scholar