Effect of row spacing and herbicide programs for control of glyphosate-resistant Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri) in dicamba/glyphosate-resistant soybean

Shawn T Mcdonald,Prashant Jha,Amit J Jhala,Parminder S Chahal,Christopher A Proctor,Adam Striegel,Jennifer M Rees

doi:10.1017/wet.2021.36

Shawn T Mcdonald, Prashant Jha + Show 5 more

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https://doi.org/10.1017/wet.2021.36

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Abstract

AbstractGlyphosate-resistant (GR) Palmer amaranth is one of the most difficult to control weeds in soybean production fields in Nebraska and the United States. An integrated approach is required for effective management of GR Palmer amaranth. Cultural practices such as narrow row spacing might augment herbicide efficacy for management of GR Palmer amaranth. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effect of row spacing and herbicide programs for management of GR Palmer amaranth in dicamba/glyphosate-resistant (DGR) soybean. Field experiments were conducted in a grower’s field with a uniform population of GR Palmer amaranth near Carleton, Nebraska, in 2018 and 2019. Year-by-herbicide program-by-row spacing interactions were significant for all variables; therefore, data were analyzed by year. Herbicides applied PRE controlled GR Palmer amaranth ≥95% in both years 14 d after PRE (DAPRE). Across soybean row-spacing, most PRE followed by (fb) early-POST (EPOST) herbicide programs provided 84% to 97% control of Palmer amaranth compared with most EPOST fb late-post (LPOST) programs, excluding dicamba in single and sequential applications (82% to 95% control). Mixing microencapsulated acetochlor with a POST herbicide in PRE fb EPOST herbicide programs controlled Palmer amaranth ≥93% 14 d after EPOST and ≥96% 21 d after LPOST with no effect on Palmer amaranth density. Interaction of herbicide program-by-row spacing on Palmer amaranth control was not significant; however, biomass reduction was significant at soybean harvest in 2019. The herbicide programs evaluated in this study caused no soybean injury. Due to drought conditions during a majority of the 2018 growing season, soybean yield in 2018 was reduced compared with 2019.

Highlights

Native to the American Southwest, Palmer amaranth has spread across the continental United States since the beginning of the 20th century due to seed and equipment transportation and agricultural expansion (Sauer 1957; Ward et al 2013)
Reports from this survey are similar to trends in the southeastern United States, where herbicide-resistant (HR), glyphosate-resistant (GR), Palmer amaranth has progressively become a troublesome weed to manage in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.), corn (Zea mays L.), and soybean production fields (Webster and Nichols 2012)
Year-by-herbicide program-by-row spacing interactions were significant for all experimental variables; data were separated and presented by year

Summary

Introduction

Native to the American Southwest, Palmer amaranth has spread across the continental United States since the beginning of the 20th century due to seed and equipment transportation and agricultural expansion (Sauer 1957; Ward et al 2013). A survey conducted in Nebraska reported Palmer amaranth as the fourth most troublesome weed to manage in agronomic crops in the Panhandle and West Central regions of Nebraska and sixth most troublesome weed across the state (Sarangi and Jhala 2018) Reports from this survey are similar to trends in the southeastern United States, where herbicide-resistant (HR), glyphosate-resistant (GR), Palmer amaranth has progressively become a troublesome weed to manage in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.), corn (Zea mays L.), and soybean production fields (Webster and Nichols 2012). Keeley et al (1987) reported that Palmer amaranth could produce 200,000 to 600,000 seeds per plant, whereas Scott and Smith (2011) reported seed production from 150,000 to 200,000 seeds per plant when Palmer amaranth was grown under competition with cotton or soybean.

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