Effect of Glyphosate Application Timing and Row Spacing on Weed Growth in Corn (Zea mays) and Soybean (Glycine max)1

Abstract

Corn and soybean were planted in narrow- and wide-row spacings to study the effects of glyphosate application timing and row spacing on light interception and subsequent weed growth. Corn planted in narrow rows (38 cm) had greater light interception than corn planted in wide rows (76 cm) from 35 to 55 d after crop emergence. Soybean planted in narrow rows (both 19 and 38 cm) had greater light interception throughout the growing season than soybean in 76-cm rows. At maximum canopy closure, narrow-row soybean (both 19 and 38 cm) intercepted more light than narrow-row corn. Biomass of weeds emerging after glyphosate application was greater when soybean was planted in 76-cm than in 19- or 38-cm rows. However, weed biomass was generally similar in both row spacings of corn. Sequential glyphosate applications reduced weed biomass in corn each year compared with a single glyphosate application at the 5-cm weed height. Sequential glyphosate applications that followed initial glyphosate application to 10- or 15-cm-tall weeds did not reduce weed biomass compared with a single application.Nomenclature: Glyphosate; corn, Zea mays L. ‘DK 493RR’; soybean, Glycine max (L.) Merr. ‘Pioneer 92B71’.Additional index words: Light intensity, narrow-row corn, narrow-row soybean, shading, weed control, weed interference.Abbreviations: DAE, days after crop emergence; POST, postemergence.