Volunteer Corn Densities Research Articles

Bean yield loss in response to volunteer corn

Volunteer corn can become a weed where beans are grown in succession to corn and there is little information on yield losses and economic threshold for volunteer corn on bean. The objective was to evaluate the effect of volunteer corn density and emergence timing on bean yield and economic threshold. The volunteer corn was planting at 0, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8 and 12 plants m-2 in two relatives emergence timing on bean crop (at bean emergence and seven days after bean emergence). The competitive effects on bean yield was high when volunteer corn emerge at bean emergence than late emergence. When volunteer corn emerges at early timing, the yield bean was reduced between 19.6 and 35.5% at one volunteer corn m-2, while for late emergence of volunteer corn, the yield losses ranged from 11.1 and 19.7%. The bean yield had highest impact on economic threshold, indicating low corn densities to justify the control. The increase of grain yield, bean price, herbicide efficiency and reduction in control costs decreased the economic threshold of volunteer corn on bean. The volunteer corn shows high interference potential on bean. The early timing emergence and increase of density of volunteer corn growing with bean causes highest yield losses.

Grain Yield Losses and Economic Threshold Level Of GR® F2 Volunteer Corn in Cultivated F1 Hybrid Corn

ABSTRACT: Volunteer corn is competitive with cultivated corn and the degree of interference varies according to their density and origin. This study aimed to determine the grain yield losses of GR® F1 hybrid corn as a function of the interferences with GR® F2 volunteer corn densities from individual plants and clumps, and determine the of economic threshold (ET). Two experiments were carried out in the field in a randomized block design with four replications and eight volunteer corn densities between 0 and 12 individual plants or clumps m-2. Each clump consisted of seven corn plants adhered to a piece of the rachis in the same point. The rectangular hyperbola model fitted to the percentage of grain yield losses of corn, generating the parameters for determining ET, which was calculated as a function of cost (US$ ha-1) and efficiency (%) of corn control, the price paid for corn (US$ kg-1), and corn grain yield (kg ha-1). Grain yield losses ranged from 2.7% to 34% for densities of 0.5 and 12 individual plants m-2 and 6.1% to 42% for 0.5 and 12 clumps m-2, respectively. The joint analysis of the results of experiments showed that from density of 2 m2 clumps are more competitive than individual plants and causes higher yield losses on cultivated corn. The average ET was 0.44 individual plants m-2 and 0.19 clumps m-2. However, from these densities, the control should be performed. Increases in corn grain yield and price paid, higher corn control efficiency, and a decrease in control costs promote a reduction in ET of volunteer corn in corn.

Yield Losses and Economic Threshold of GR® F2 Volunteer Corn in Bean

ABSTRACT: Volunteer corn has high competitive capacity with bean, and the degree of interference varies as a function of corn density and origin (individual plant or clump). This study aimed to quantify bean yield losses under interference with densities of individual plants and clumps (seven plants at the same point) of GR® F2 volunteer corn and calculate the economic threshold (ET). Two experiments were carried out in a randomized blocks design with three replicates in Passo Fundo, RS, Brazil. The studied volunteer corn densities were 0, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8, and 12 individual plants and clumps m-2. The bean yield was assessed and calculated the yield losses (%) in response to volunteer corn interference. The yield loss data were fitted to the rectangular hyperbola model to generate the parameters for ET determining. ET was calculated as a function of cost (US$ ha-1) and control efficiency (%) of volunteer corn, the price paid for bean (US$ kg-1), and bean yield (kg ha-1). Interferences caused by densities of volunteer corn of 0.5, 1, and 2 individual plants and clumps m-2 in bean resulted in yield losses of 9%, 17%, and 30%, and 33%, 51%, and 70%, respectively. The ET of volunteer corn on bean was, on average, 0.21 individual plants m-2 and 0.04 clumps m-2. Increases in yield and price paid for beans, higher efficiency of volunteer corn control, and a decrease in costs of control promote a reduction in ET. Interferences caused by clumps resulted in higher bean yield losses than individual plants.

Interference and Economic Threshold Level of Volunteer Corn in Soybean

ABSTRACT: Volunteer corn is considered a weed when its emergence occurs during the crop cycle in succession, as is the case of volunteer corn plants of hybrids of Roundup Ready (RR) in crops implanted with RR soybean cultivars. The objective of this study was to verify the effect of the interference of different RR plant densities on the RR soybean crop, as well as to estimate the level of economic damage (NDE). For this, a field experiment was carried out at two sites in a factorial scheme with four replications, the treatments consisted of densities of volunteer corn RR (0; 1; 2; 3; 4; 5; 6; 7 and 8 plants m-2) competing in the entire soybean cycle. The changes in morphology and yield components behaved directly proportional to the increment of volunteer corn densities, with the variable vegetables per plant being the most strongly affected. The loss of soybean yield at the highest competitor density reached 58%. NDE was closely dependent on the cost of control of volunteer corn plants, crop yield expectancy, herbicide efficiency, and the price received for the harvested product, with yield expectancy the most impacting factor. In all simulations, NDE was found to be very low, less than 0.48 plants m-2 evidencing the need of herbicides in the control of RR volunteer corn even at low densities.

Has Breeding Improved Soybean Competitiveness with Weeds?

Soybean yield gain over the last century has been attributed to both genetic and agronomic improvements. Recent research has characterized how breeding efforts to improve yield gain have also secondarily impacted agronomic practices such as seeding rate, planting date, and fungicide use. To our knowledge, no research has characterized the relationship between weed–soybean interference and genetic yield gain. Therefore, the objectives of this research were to determine whether newer cultivars would consistently yield higher than older cultivars under increasingly competitive environments, and whether soybean breeding efforts over time have indirectly increased soybean competitiveness. Field research was conducted in 2014, 2015, and 2016 in which 40 maturity group (MG) II soybean cultivars released between 1928 and 2013 were grown season-long with three different densities of volunteer corn (0, 2.8, and 11.2 plants m−2). Soybean seed yield of newer cultivars was higher than older cultivars at each volunteer corn density (P<0.0001). Soybean seed yield was also higher in the weed-free treatment than at low or high volunteer corn seeding rates. However, soybean cultivar release year did not affect late-season volunteer corn shoot dry biomass at either seeding rate of 2.8 or 11.2 seeds m−2. The results indicate that while soybean breeding efforts have increased yield potential over time, they have not increased soybean competitiveness with volunteer corn. These results highlight the importance of other cultural practices such as planting date and crop row spacing for weed suppression in modern soybean production systems.

Volunteer Corn (Zea mays) Interference in Dry Edible Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris)

Volunteer corn can affect dry bean by reducing yields; expanding the life cycle of insects, mites, and pathogens; interfering with harvest; and contaminating bean seed. Field studies were conducted at Lingle, WY, and Scottsbluff, NE, to determine the relationship between volunteer corn density and dry bean yield, establish the proper time of volunteer corn removal, and determine whether dry bean yield was affected by the method used to remove volunteer corn. Volunteer corn reduced dry bean yields, as recorded in other crops. Growing conditions for each location were different, as indicated by the accumulated growing degree days (GDD): Lingle 2008 (990), Lingle 2009 (780), and Scottsbluff 2009 (957). No difference in dry bean yields was observed between hand removal of volunteer corn and herbicide application. Dry bean yield loss increased with longer periods of volunteer corn competition and ranged from 1.2 to 1.8% yield loss for every 100 GDD that control was delayed. Control measures should be implemented 15 to 20 d after planting when volunteer corn densities are close to 1 plant m−2. Dry bean yield losses also increased as volunteer corn densities increased, with losses from 6.5 to 19.3% for 1 volunteer corn plant m−2. Based on 2015 prices, the cost of controlling volunteer corn would be the equivalent of 102 kg ha−1of dry bean, and potential losses above 4% would justify control and should not be delayed beyond 15 to 20 d after planting.

Impact of glyphosate-resistant volunteer corn (Zea mays L.) density, control timing, and late-season emergence on yield of glyphosate-resistant soybean (Glycine max L.)

Glyphosate-resistant (GR) volunteer corn is a troublesome weed in soybean fields in a corn-soybean rotation as well as in corn fields in a continuous corn production system. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the impact of (1) different densities of GR volunteer corn on soybean yields, present as individual plants or clumps, controlled at fourth trifoliate (V4), sixth trifoliate (V6), or full flowering (R2) soybean growth stages, and (2) late-season volunteer corn emergence on soybean yields, after being controlled at different soybean growth stages. Field experiments were conducted in 2013 and 2014 under irrigated conditions in Clay County, Nebraska, and under rain-fed conditions in Lancaster County, Nebraska, USA. To maintain the desired number of isolated volunteer corn plants (1250, 2500, 5000, and 10,000 plants ha−1) and clumps (63, 125, 250, and 500 clumps ha−1), individual seeds and/or corn ears were hand-planted in each plot based on their respective target densities. Volunteer corn was controlled with applications of clethodim at V4, V6, or R2 soybean growth stages. Late-season volunteer corn emergence had no effect on soybean yield with volunteer corn densities and control timings at both locations in 2013 and 2014. During the first year of study at Clay County, volunteer corn densities and control timings had no effect on soybean yield. When volunteer corn was left uncontrolled or controlled at the R2 soybean growth stage, yield was the lowest at highest isolated volunteer corn plants (10,000 plants ha−1) plus clump density (500 clumps ha−1) during the second year of study in Clay County (≤5068 kg ha−1) and during both years of study in Lancaster County (≤1968 kg ha−1).

Herbicide Programs for Control of Glyphosate-Resistant Volunteer Corn in Glufosinate-Resistant Soybean

Glyphosate-resistant (GR) volunteer corn is a significant problem weed in soybean grown in rotation with corn in the midwestern United States and eastern Canada. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of glufosinate applied in single or sequential applications compared with acetyl-coenzyme A carboxylase (ACCase) inhibitors applied alone or tank mixed with glufosinate for controlling GR volunteer corn in glufosinate-resistant soybean. At 15 d after early-POST (DAEP), ACCase inhibitors applied alone controlled volunteer corn 76 to 93% compared to 71 to 82% control when tank mixed with glufosinate. The expected volunteer corn control achieved by tank mixing ACCase inhibitors and glufosinate was greater than the glufosinate alone, indicating that glufosinate antagonized ACCase inhibitors at 15 DAEP, but not at later rating dates. ACCase inhibitors applied alone or tank mixed with glufosinate followed by late-POST glufosinate application controlled volunteer corn and green foxtail ≥ 97% at 30 DAEP. Single early-POST application of glufosinate controlled common waterhemp and volunteer corn 53 to 78%, and green foxtail 72 to 93% at 15 DAEP. Single as well as sequential glufosinate applications controlled green foxtail and volunteer corn greater than or equal to 90%, and common waterhemp greater than 85% at 75 d after late-POST (DALP). Contrast analysis suggested that glufosinate applied sequentially provided greater control of volunteer corn at 15 and 75 DALP compared to a single application. Similar results were reflected in volunteer corn density and biomass at 75 DALP. Volunteer corn interference did not affect soybean yield, partly because of extreme weather conditions (hail and high winds) in both years of this study.

Volunteer Glyphosate and Glufosinate Resistant Corn Competitiveness and Control in Glyphosate and Glufosinate Resistant Corn

Glyphosate and glufosinate resistant (RR/LL) volunteer corn has become a problem when hybrid RR/LL corn follows hybrid RR/LL corn in the rotation. A total of six field trials were conducted over a three-year period (2008 to 2010) in southwestern Ontario to 1) evaluate the competitiveness of volunteer RR/LL corn in hybrid RR/LL corn, and 2) determine how to control volunteer RR/LL corn in hybrid RR/LL corn. The predicted volunteer RR/LL corn density to reduce hybrid RR/LL corn yield by 5% was 1.7 volunteer RR/LL corn plants m－2. There was no crop injury in hybrid RR/LL corn with herbicides evaluated at 1 and 2 WAA except for rimsulfuron(15 g·ai·ha－1) and foramsulfuron (35 g·ai·ha－1) which caused as much as 5% and 11% injury in hybrid RR/LL corn, respectively. Glyphosate (1800 g·ae·ha－1), glufosinate(500 g·ae·ha－1) and glyphosate + glufosinate (1800 + 500 g·ae·ha－1) provided up to 18%, 10% and 21% control of volunteer RR/LL corn, respectively. The POST application of rimsulfuron (15 g·ai·ha－1), nicosulfuron (25 g·ai·ha－1), nicosulfuron/rimsulfuron (25 g·ai·ha－1), foramsulfuron (35 g·ai·ha－1), and primisulfuron/dicamba (166 g·ai·ha－1) did not provided any control of volunteer RR/LL corn. Glyphosate and glyphosate + glufosinate reduced volunteer corn density 26% and 30%, respectively. The other herbicides evaluated did not reduce volunteer RR/LL corn density compared to the weedy control. None of the herbicides evaluated reduced volunteer RR/LL corn cob numbers compared to the weedy control. Glyphosate + glufosinate applied POST reduced volunteer RR/LL corn yield 35% compared to the weedy control but other herbicides evaluated caused no reduction in volunteer RR/LL corn yield compared to the weedy control. Glyphosate applied POST resulted in hybrid RR/LL corn yield equivalent to the weed free control but all other herbicide treatments resulted hybrid RR/LL corn yield equivalent to the weedy control. This research concludes that volunteer RR/LL corn can be very competitive with RR/LL hybrid corn. None of the herbicides evaluated provided adequate control of volunteer RR/LL corn in hybrid RR/LL corn.

Influence of Clethodim Application Timing on Control of Volunteer Corn in Soybean

Herbicide options for management of volunteer corn in soybean include a variety of acetyl CoA carboxylase-inhibiting herbicides, yet often, applications of acetyl CoA carboxylase herbicides are delayed until the weed is visible above the soybean canopy. Volunteer corn growing above the soybean canopy is a highly competitive weed, and herbicides applied at this point can kill the weed, yet soybean yield loss is still a concern. Our objective was to compare the effect of controlling various densities of volunteer corn growing in soybean EARLY (≤ 30 cm) versus LATE (≈ 90 cm) on percent control and soybean yield. Seven volunteer corn densities (0, 0.5, 2, 4, 8, 12, and 16 plants m−2) were hand planted into 19-cm row soybean. Clethodim 79 g ai ha−1was tank-mixed with glyphosate at 840 g ae ha−1and applied to the volunteer corn EARLY and LATE. The EARLY application provided higher and less variable control of volunteer corn 14 d after treatment (DAT) compared to LATE applications at all volunteer corn densities. There was no difference in control at 28 DAT for both the EARLY and LATE applications. Soybean yield was not affected by either application timing. Although no yield reduction was seen with the LATE treatments, later-season applications of clethodim to control volunteer corn may offer more variable control and could allow for additional Bt selection pressure on targeted insect pests.

The Influence of Nitrogen Application Timing and Rate on Volunteer Corn Interference in Hybrid Corn

Volunteer corn (VC) in hybrid corn has become more prevalent in recent years and can reduce grain yield. Nitrogen (N) management can influence VC interference in corn. Field experiments were established to determine the effects of N fertilizer management and VC interference on hybrid corn growth and grain yield. Treatments consisted of three VC densities (control, 0 plants m−2; low density, 1 plant m−2; high density, 4 plants m−2) and six N fertilizer treatments (0 kg N ha−1, 67 kg N ha−1 at planting, 67 kg N ha−1 at planting + 133 kg N ha−1 at V5 corn growth stage, 67 kg N ha−1 at planting + 133 kg N ha−1 at V10 corn growth stage, 200 kg N ha−1 at V5 corn growth stage, and 200 kg N ha−1 at V10 corn growth stage). The effect of VC on hybrid corn was dependent on N rate. When 200 kg N ha−1 was applied, regardless of application timing, hybrid corn dry weight, hybrid corn N content, and hybrid corn grain yield were reduced by the high VC density. However, when VC grain yield was added to hybrid corn grain yield, VC density did not affect total grain yield. When 0 and 67 kg N ha−1 were applied, neither hybrid corn dry weight nor hybrid corn N content was affected by either VC density, but the high VC density reduced hybrid corn grain yield for both N rates by 19% and total grain yield by 9 and 10%, respectively. Application timing of N fertilizer had no effect on hybrid corn dry weight, N content, or grain yield. However, late N fertilizer applications (200 kg N ha−1 at V10 and 67 kg N ha−1 at planting +133 kg N ha−1 at V10) resulted in greater VC N content, VC grain yield, and total yield. Assuming the harvestability of VC, the ability of a late N treatment (V10) to maximize total grain yield allows growers to use a late N application to reduce the competitive effects of VC in hybrid corn.

Competition of Transgenic Volunteer Corn with Soybean and the Effect on Western Corn Rootworm Emergence

Glyphosate-resistant (GR) volunteer corn has emerged as a problematic weed in corn:soybean rotational systems, partly because of the rapid increase in adoption of corn hybrids that contain traits for both glyphosate and insect resistance. Volunteer GR corn can decrease soybean yields. The objectives of this study were to quantify the impact of volunteer corn on soybean growth and yield and determine how volunteer corn densities affect western corn rootworm (WCR) emergence. Volunteer corn seed was hand-planted at targeted densities of 0.5, 2, 4, 8, 12, and 16 seeds m−2at soybean planting and 21 d after planting to evaluate both early- and late-emerging cohorts. WCR emergence was assessed with the use of field emergence traps placed over individual corn plants in the 0.5- and 16-plants-m−2plots in 2008 and 2009. In 2010, WCR emergence traps were also placed over individual and clumped volunteer corn plants at densities of two and eight plants m−2. Soybean yield reductions ranged from 10 to 41% where early-emerging volunteer corn densities ranged from 0.5 to 16 plants m−2. No soybean yield loss occurred with the late-emerging cohort of volunteer corn. Twice as many adult WCRs emerged from a single volunteer corn plant growing at densities of 8 and 16 plants m−2, compared with plots containing 0.5 and 2 plants m−2. These results demonstrate that controlling volunteer corn will not only prevent soybean yield loss, but also may reduce the risk of WCR larval survival after exposure to Bt (Bacillus thuringiensisBerliner derived) corn.

Volunteer Glyphosate-Resistant Corn Interference and Control in Glyphosate-Resistant Sugarbeet

Glyphosate-resistant (GR) sugarbeet is commonly grown in rotation with GR corn, but there is limited information relating to volunteer GR corn interference or control in GR sugarbeet. Field studies were conducted near Lingle, WY and Scottsbluff, NE in 2009 and 2010 to quantify sugarbeet yield loss in response to volunteer corn density and duration of interference, and determine appropriate control practices for use in GR sugarbeet. Hybrid corn resulted in a similar competitive effect on sugarbeet sucrose yield as clumps of F2volunteer corn. Clumps of volunteer corn were controlled 81% compared with 73% for individual plants. Linear regression indicated sucrose yield loss of 19% for each corn plant m−2up to 1.7 plants m−2at three of four experimental sites. Pearson correlation coefficients between percentage sucrose yield loss and proportion of sunlight reaching the top of the sugarbeet canopy ranged from −0.42 to −0.92. The duration of corn interference required to cause a 5% sucrose yield loss (YL5) ranged from 3.5 to 5.9 wk after sugarbeet emergence (WAE) for hand-weeding or herbicide removal, respectively, due to the length of time herbicide-treated volunteer corn continued to shade sugarbeet plants. Differences between herbicide and hand-removal methods were attributed to the time lag between when the treatments were applied and when the corn ceased to block light from the sugarbeet canopy. Sethoxydim generally provided less volunteer corn control compared with either quizalofop or clethodim, and control increased with the addition of an oil adjuvant. If a grower were to implement a volunteer corn control practice 3.5 WAE, economic sugarbeet yield loss would be avoided. In eastern Wyoming and western Nebraska, the sugarbeet crop will typically have between four to eight true leaves at 3.5 WAE, and therefore this would be an optimal time to control volunteer corn. If volunteer corn is being hand weeded, theYL5estimate will also increase, and thus the window of time to control volunteer corn would be wider.