Research Accomplishment Reports 2009

Development of Weed Management Strategies in Agronomic Crops

W. W. Witt
Department of Plant and Soil Sciences

 

Non-Technical Summary

Grain crop production is inhibited by weeds. Weeds that inhibit grazing reduce forage quality and animal gains. This project examines the impact of weeds and tillage on crop production. This project examines methods to manage weeds that inhibit animal grazing.

2009 Project Description

The focus of research continues to evaluate the biology and management of weeds that inhibit grazing in beef and equine pastures. Tall ironweed, spiny pigweed, and nimblewill were the species evaluated. Nimblewill was found to be more competitive than Kentucky bluegrass but less competitive than endophyte infected tall fescue. Also, tall fescue cultivars under development were found to be more competitive than nimblewill. Information was distributed via major field days, producer meetings and a website.

2009 Impact

Horse pastures. The research on nimblewill competitiveness with tall fescue cultivars clearly shows the need to increase tall fescue as the preferred forage in pastures for non-pregnant animals.

Beef pastures. Tall ironweed was shown to be controlled with multiple application methods but broadcast herbicide treatments provided superior control. Also, tall ironweed growth was suppressed in highly managed pastures by combinations of mowing, fertilization, and herbicides. Suppressing tall fescue seed head formation resulted in an increase in body weight in grazing stockers.

Grain crops. Major weeds in wheat, corn and soybean were controlled with new herbicides on the market.

2009 Publications

Blair. M. 2009. Evaluation of KJM-44 for marestail and total vegetation control. Abstracts, Weed Science Society of America.

Carter, S. K., C. H. Slack, and G. P. Murphy. 2009. Resistant weed management using dicamba tolerant soybean. Abstracts, Weed Science Society of America.

Edwards, M. E., W. W. Witt, and J. D. Green. 2009. Clover response to soil concentrations of pasture herbicides. Abstracts, Weed Science Society of America.

Fryman, D. M., W. W. Witt, and J. A. Tolson. 2009. Tall ironweed and Canada thistle control with rope wick and broadcast treatments. Abstracts, Weed Science Society of America.

Martin, J. R., C. R. Tutt, and D. L. Call. 2009. Response of wheat to AE F130060 and nitrogen fertilizer applications. Abstracts, Weed Science Society of America.

Tolson, J. A, D. M. Fryman, and W. W. Witt. 2009. Evaluation of horsenettle (Solanum carolinense) control with quadrat and line transect techniques. Abstracts, Weed Science Society of America.

Witt, W. W. 2009. Tall fescue seed head suppression with metsulfuron and aminopyralid. Abstracts, Weed Science Society of America.

Burch, P. L., W.W. Witt, E. S. Hagood, and B. B. Sleugh. 2009. Pasture weed and brush control with herbicide mixtures. Proc. Southern Weed Sci. Soc. 62:142.

Carter, S. K., C. H. Slack, and H. A. Flanigan. 2009. Optimum GAT corn in Kentucky. Proc. North Central Weed Sci. Soc. In press.

Edwards, M. E., J. D. Green, and W. W. Witt. 2009. Effect of Herbicide application timing on spiny amaranth. Proc. North Central Weed Sci. Soc. In press.

Martin, J. R., C. R. Tutt, and D. L. Call. 2009. Impact of tillage system and application timing of postemergence herbicides on Italian ryegrass control. Proc. North Central Weed Sci. Soc. In press.

Tolson, J. A., J. D. Green, and W. W. Witt. 2009. Integrated weed management strategies to reduce weed populations in pastures. Proc. North Central Weed Sci. Soc. In press.