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ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #96468
Title: NEW TECHNOLOGY FOR WEED MANAGEMENT IN ROW CROPS

Author
item Hanks, James
item Bryson, Charles
item Holliday Iii, Thomas

Submitted to: Proceedings of Southern Weed Science Society
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/20/1998
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Weed-sensor spray technology was evaluated in 1996 and 1997 as a method of reducing herbicide input for conservation tillage row crop production systems. Studies were conducted as part of the Mississippi Delta Management Systems Evaluation Area (MDMSEA) project initiated to study the effects of agricultural production practices on water quality of oxbow lakes. Grass filter strips and slotted board risers were installed on Beasly and Deep Hollow lakes to reduce sediment runoff. Production practices were changed to conservation tillage and new application technology that minimized the amount of pesticides required for crop production were included in the Deep Hollow Lake watershed. An 8-row sensor-controlled hooded sprayer was used in the Deep Hollow Lake watershed for season-long weed control in 43 ha of cotton and 47 ha of soybeans, producer grown in 1 m rows. The sensor- controlled hooded spray system consisted of seven hoods 0.7 m wide and two outside hoods 0.5 m wide. Three Weedseeker Model PhD 612 sensor units were used in the larger hoods and two in each of the smaller hoods. Reduction or savings in herbicide usage with the sensor-controlled sprayer was in comparison to herbicide required to spray the same area with a conventional hooded spray system. Herbicide used with the sensor system was recorded for each field and a Global Positioning System (GPS) was used to determine area of each field. Herbicide reduction for the 1996 season averaged 75% for four applications and 62% for three applications, respectively in cotton and soybeans. In 1997, savings in herbicide usage was 80% for a single application in cotton and 39% for three applications in soybeans. Average savings for the two years was 78% and 51%, respectively for cotton and soybeans.