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ARS Home » Plains Area » Brookings, South Dakota » Integrated Cropping Systems Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #214755
Title: Seedling emergence of yellow woodsorrel in eastern South Dakota

Author
item Anderson, Randal

Submitted to: Western Society of Weed Science Research Reports
Publication Type: Research Notes
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/1/2007
Publication Date: 3/11/2008
Citation: Anderson, R.L. 2008. Seedling emergence of yellow woodsorrel in eastern South Dakota. Western Society of Weed Science 2008 Research Progress Report. pp. 152-153.

Interpretive Summary: Yellow woodsorrel is a perennial weed invading no-till rotations in eastern South Dakota. We studied seedling emergence of yellow woodsorrel to understand why the weed is expanding its infestation of cropland. Approximately 80% of seedlings emerged during the six-week interval between May 9 and June 15, but some seedlings continued to emerge during July. Comparing no-till and conventional tillage, 3 times more seedlings emerged in no-till. Seedlings will start flowering 4 weeks after emergence and dispersing seeds after 8 weeks of growth. Producers may be able to suppress invasion of yellow woodsorrel into production fields by including crops such as canola or alfalfa in their rotations.

Technical Abstract: Yellow woodsorrel is a perennial weed invading no-till rotations in eastern South Dakota. This study quantified the seedling emergence pattern of yellow woodsorrel across a four-year period. Yellow woodsorrel began emerging in early May and continued for 14 weeks. Approximately 80% of seedlings emerged during the six-week interval between May 9 and June 15, but some seedlings continued to emerge during July. Comparing no-till and conventional tillage, the total number of seedlings that emerged yearly was 3 times higher in no-till. The emergence pattern, however, did not differ between tillage systems. The growth period of yellow woodsorrel was quite short. In established stands, seedlings began flowering 4 weeks after emergence and dispersing seeds after 8 weeks of growth. Based on observations of yellow woodsorrel in production fields, we suggest that adding crops such as canola or alfalfa to the rotation may help manage this weed.