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The Effect of Weed Density and Application Timing on Weed Control and Corn Grain Yield

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2017

Matthew W. Myers*
Affiliation:
Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802
William S. Curran
Affiliation:
Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802
Mark J. Vangessel
Affiliation:
Plant and Soil Sciences Department, University of Delaware, Research and Education Center, Georgetown, DE 19947
Bradley A. Majek
Affiliation:
Rutgers Agricultural Research and Extension Center, Rutgers University, Bridgeton, NJ 08032
Barbara A. Scott
Affiliation:
Plant and Soil Sciences Department, University of Delaware, Research and Education Center, Georgetown, DE 19947
David A. Mortensen
Affiliation:
Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802
Dennis D. Calvin
Affiliation:
Department of Entomology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802
Heather D. Karsten
Affiliation:
Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802
Gregory W. Roth
Affiliation:
Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802
*
Corresponding author's E-mail: mwm133@psu.edu

Abstract

A 2-yr experiment repeated at five locations across the northeastern United States evaluated the effect of weed density and time of glyphosate application on weed control and corn grain yield using a single postemergence (POST) application. Three weed densities, designed to reduce corn yields by 10, 25, and 50%, were established across the locations, using forage sorghum as a surrogate weed. At each weed density, a single application of glyphosate at 1.12 kg ai/ha was applied to glyphosate-resistant corn at the V2, V4, V6, and V8 growth stages. At low and medium weed densities, the V4 through V8 applications provided nearly complete weed control and yields equivalent to the weed-free treatment. Weed biomass and the potential for weed seed production from subsequent weed emergence made the V2 timing less effective. At high weed densities, the V4 followed by the V6 timing provided the most effective weed control, while maintaining corn yield. Weed competition from subsequent weed emergence in the V2 application and the duration of weed competition in the V8 timing reduced yield on average by 12 and 15%, respectively. This research shows that single POST applications can be successful but weed density and herbicide timing are key elements.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Weed Science Society of America 

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References

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