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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Auburn, Alabama » Soil Dynamics Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #391595
Research Project: Conservation Systems to Improve Production Efficiency, Reduce Risk, and Promote Sustainability

Location: Soil Dynamics Research

Title: Cover crops and herbicides integration for weed control in cotton

Author
item KUMARI, ANNU - Auburn University
item Price, Andrew

Submitted to: National Cotton Council Beltwide Cotton Conference
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/4/2022
Publication Date: 1/4/2022
Citation: Kumari, A., Price, A.J. 2022. Cover crops and herbicides integration for weed control in cotton. Beltwide Cotton Conference, San Antonio TX, January 4-6.

Interpretive Summary: Cotton grows comparatively slow than other row crops in germination and root development during initial vegetative stage. Therefore, it is important to keep cotton weed free during this critical phase to maintain lint yield. An experiment was conducted for the selection of cover crops with different combinations of pre and post emergence herbicides and its impact on weed suppression in cotton. Six cover crop systems were utilized as main plots in a split plot design: winter fallow, cereal rye, black oats, crimson clover, radish, and a mixture of all. In addition, four herbicide treatments were used in sub plots: no herbicide, combination of two pre-emergence herbicide (Prowl H2O + Reflex), combination of two post-emergence herbicide (Liberty + Dual Magnum), and pre followed by postemergence herbicides. Results showed the herbicide application was significant while effect of cover crops was not found in any of interaction due low cover crop biomass attained. In conclusion, effect of pre and post emergence herbicides was observed only at first two weeks after application. Whereas mixture of pre + post emergence herbicides were most effective in weed control and its effect remained late season.

Technical Abstract: Cotton grows comparatively slow than other row crops in germination and root development during initial vegetative stage. Therefore, it is important to keep cotton weed free during this critical phase to maintain lint yield. An experiment was conducted for the selection of cover crops with different combinations of pre and post emergence herbicides and its impact on weed suppression in cotton. Six cover crop systems were utilized as main plots in a split plot design: winter fallow, cereal rye, black oats, crimson clover, radish, and a mixture of all. In addition, four herbicide treatments were used in sub plots: no herbicide, combination of two pre-emergence herbicide (Prowl H2O + Reflex), combination of two post-emergence herbicide (Liberty + Dual Magnum), and pre followed by postemergence herbicides. Results showed the herbicide application was significant while effect of cover crops was not found in any of interaction due low cover crop biomass attained. In conclusion, effect of pre and post emergence herbicides was observed only at first two weeks after application. Whereas mixture of pre + post emergence herbicides were most effective in weed control and its effect remained late season.