Weed Management in Strip Tillage Corn

Abstract

Field studies were conducted in 2000 and 2001 to determine if differences exist in weed emergence patterns, weed control, corn (Zea mays L.) plant population, and grain yield in strip tillage, conventional tillage, and no‐tillage production. Weed emergence peaked at 2 and 4 wk after planting (WAP) in 2000 and 2001, respectively. Weed emergence at 2 WAP in 2000 was greater in conventional tillage compared with no‐tillage and strip tillage. Tillage system did not affect total weed species emergence in 2001. In both years, lower control of giant foxtail (Setaria faberi Herrm.) and common waterhemp (Amaranthus rudis Sauer) occurred following acetochlor {[2‐chloro‐N‐(ethoxymethyl)‐N‐(2‐ethyl‐6‐methylphenyl)acetamide]} plus atrazine {[6‐chloro‐N‐ethyl‐N′‐(1‐methylethyl)‐1,3,5‐triazine‐2,4‐diamine]} applied pre‐emergence in no‐tillage compared with conventional tillage. Control of common waterhemp in 2001 and giant foxtail in both years was similar with glyphosate [N‐(phosphonomethyl)glycine] applied postemergence regardless of tillage system. Corn population was greater in conventional tillage compared with no‐tillage in 2000 and greater than the population in no‐tillage and strip tillage in 2001. When averaged across weed management strategies, corn yield was greatest in strip tillage in 2000 and conventional tillage in 2001.