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Title: REDUCING HERBICIDE USE IN CONSERVATION TILLAGE CROP PRODUCTION SYSTEMS

Author
item Buhler, Douglas - Doug

Submitted to: Clean Water Clean Environment 21st Century Conference Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/5/1995
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Ineffective weed control is a major deterrent to the adoption of conservation tillage systems, especially no-tillage. Reducing or eliminating tillage from crop production systems has a profound effect on the environment where weeds survive and reproduce. Weed populations are highly plastic and respond quickly to changing cropping practices. Therefore, changing tillage practices can radically change the weed spectrum and population dynamics. Restricting tillage also reduces weed control options and increases reliance on herbicides. The net result is that in conservation tillage systems more diverse and intense weed populations often need to be managed with fewer control tools. Meeting the combined goals of crop residue management and herbicide use reduction, while maintaining effective weed management, is a major challenge. In the short term, herbicide use in conservation tillage systems may be reduced by integrating available control strategies, reducing herbicide rates and frequency of use through timely application and scouting, increased scouting of weed populations to better match treatments to weed populations, and improving cultural practices to maintain low weed densities. Developing unique long-term strategies will be a greater challenge. Because of the limitations associated with current weed management technology, we must think beyond current technology and cropping systems to develop innovative solutions to weed management and environmental quality problems.