Control and Competitiveness of Johnsongrass (Sorghum halepense) in Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum)

Abstract

Four field experiments conducted over 3 yr indicated that cultivation alone failed to prevent johnsongrass [Sorghum halepense(L.) Pers.] from reaching densities that severely reduced yields of cotton (Gossypium hirsutumL. ‘Acala SJ-2’). Density of johnsongrass in plots cultivated four times and hoed weekly for 8 weeks after emergence was reduced to 1 shoot/m2at harvest compared to 74 shoots/m2for plots that were only cultivated. In addition to a 60% average yield loss of seed cotton, yield losses ranging from 40 to 76%, ginning losses were also greater from cultivated than from hand-weeded plots. Compared to cultivated plots, supplementing cultivation with two postemergence applications of 3.0 kg/ha of DSMA (disodium methanearsonate) increased the average yield of cotton by 20% and reduced perennial johnsongrass densities by 64% at harvest. Although yields were improved by applying DSMA, they averaged 40% less than those of hand-weeded plots. The temporary weed control obtained with DSMA was profitable in terms of the additional lint and seed obtained, but insufficient cotton was produced to pay expenses for producing the crop by any of the methods of weed control. High labor costs for hoeing prevented this treatment from being profitable.