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Title: ALTERNATIVE WEED MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES FOR CENTRAL IOWA

Author
item THOMPSON, RICHARD - THOMPSON ON-FARM RESEARCH
item THOMPSON, SHARON - THOMPSON ON-FARM RESEARCH
item Buhler, Douglas - Doug

Submitted to: North Central Weed Science Society US Proceedings
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/7/1995
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Iowa farmers spent an average of $50 per hectare for weed control in corn and soybean production. Ridge-tillage without herbicides reduces tillage and herbicide costs and gives good weed management. Three years of data shows a $135 per hectare increase in management net when ridge-tillage without herbicides replaces mulch tillage with broadcast herbicides. There are several reasons for reduced weed pressure in ridge-tillage: 1) there has been no tillage prior to planting to wake up the weeds, 2) allowing early weed expression controls later germinating weeds, 3) the Buffalo sweep cleans off weeds and weed seed over the row area providing a fairly weed free planting zone, and 4) the Buffalo planter leaves loose soil over firmly planted corn or soybeans which is not a good environment for weed seed germination. The other strategies for weed control include planting thicker (soybean at 40 seed per meter and corn at 15 cm spacing), using a high residue rotary hoe before and after crop emergence, and timely cultivation to clean out weeds between the rows. Research is being conducted to provide additional information on weed population development and to provide new weed management options. Increasing our knowledge of weed biology and ecology will aid in further development of integrated weed management systems that are profitable to the farmer while protecting the natural resource base.