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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Auburn, Alabama » Soil Dynamics Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #212635
Title: Effectiveness of different herbicide applicators mounted on a roller/crimper for accelerated termination of rye cover crop

Author
item Kornecki, Ted
item Price, Andrew
item Raper, Randy
item Stoll, Quentin

Submitted to: ASABE Annual International Meeting
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/17/2007
Publication Date: 6/18/2007
Citation: Kornecki, T.S., Price, A.J., Raper, R.L., Stoll, Q.M. 2007. Effectiveness of different herbicide applicators mounted on a roller/crimper for accelerated termination of rye cover crop. In: Proceedings of the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers International (ASABE) Annual Meeting, June 17-20, 2007, Minneapolis, Minnesota. Paper No. 071074. p. 1-10.

Interpretive Summary: Rolling/crimping of rye cover crop in a no-till conservation system is an effective method of mechanically terminating rye. Typically, a cash crop can be planted 3 weeks after rolling mature rye without the use of herbicides. However, if cool and/or wet weather exists, it can delay rye termination, delaying planting of the cash crop and negatively impacting yield. One effective way to reduce the time between rolling and planting is to apply herbicide while rolling. However, a continuous spray may not be needed if a roller/crimper is used. A study was conducted to compare the effectiveness of different methods of applying Roundup to rolled rye. First, a felt strip saturated with herbicide was attached to the roller’s crimping bar and provided application with every crimp. The second method was a boom with nozzles mounted on the roller for a continuous spray, spray every 2nd crimp and spray every 4th crimp. Preliminary results indicate that the highest rye termination evaluated one week after rolling was reported for spraying every 4th crimp and for a continuous spray. Because spraying Roundup every 4th crimp provided high rye termination, while reducing the amount of chemical needed, it may be feasible to use this method allowing a cash crop to be planted earlier than with rolling/crimping alone. Using less Roundup would also provide savings to the producer, while reducing environmental impact.

Technical Abstract: Under ideal weather conditions, a cash crop can be planted 3 weeks after rolling mature rye without using herbicides. However, cloudy, cool and wet weather can delay the rolling and/or desiccation of rye thereby delaying cash crop planting. This can negatively impact yield. One effective way to reduce the time between rolling and planting is to apply herbicide while rolling. However, a continuous spray may not be required if a roller is used. Two different methods of applying glyphosate (RoundupTM) to rolled rye were compared. First, a felt strip saturated with herbicide was attached to the roller’s crimping bar and provided Roundup application with every crimp. The second method was a boom (five nozzles controlled by solenoid valves) mounted on the roller providing spray either continuously, every 2nd crimp or every 4th crimp. Results showed that 7 days after rolling the highest rye termination rates were recorded for continuous spray (100%) and for spray every 4th crimp (98%). The Roundup saturated felt strip and spray every 2nd crimp produced 96% termination rates. For roller/crimper alone and no-roller, termination rates were 92% and 70%, respectively. Since spraying Roundup every 4th crimp provided a 98% termination rate one week after rolling, it may be feasible to use this method to allow a cash crop to be planted in a timely fashion. One and two weeks after rolling, volumetric soil moisture content for all rolled rye/chemical treatments were significantly higher than standing rye (no-roller treatment).