Research Accomplishment Reports 2010

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.

2010 Project Description

Grain crops: Research focus was on Palmer amaranth and tall waterhemp, two new and emerging problems in Kentucky soybeans in far western Kentucky. These weeds are resistant to glyphosate, the most widely used soybean herbicide. Research on farmer-cooperator fields indicate that controlling these weeds with other herbicides is possible. A farmer field at one site was used so farmers experiencing these weed problems could see that control was possible.

Beef pastures: Weeds that inhibit grazing continues are the focus of this research with two Master of Science students conducting the research. Three field days were conducted for local producers and other interested parties.

2010 Impact

Grain crops: Palmer amaranth and tall waterhemp are now found in twelve Kentucky counties and efforts to describe the negative impact of these weeds on soybean yield was well received by growers and the soybean commodity groups.

Beef and equine pastures: Spiny amaranth is easily controlled in pastures if herbicides were applied in a timely manner. Mowing was not effective controlling this species.

2010 Publications

Aiken, G.E., W. W. Witt, I. A. Kagan. 2010. Chaparral Herbicide Application for Suppression of Seedhead Emergence in Tall Fescue Pastures and Possible Alleviation of Fescue Toxicosis. American Forage and Grassland Proceedings, Springfield, MO.

Tolson, Josh, J. D. Green and W. W. Witt 2010. Integrated weed management for tall ironweed (Vernonia altissima) control and improved pasture productivity. Abstracts, Weed Science Society of America.

Moraes, Pedro and W. W. Witt. 2010. Relative competitiveness of nimblewill (Muhlenbergia schreberi) with tall fescues and Kentucky bluegrass. Abstracts, Weed Science Society of America.

Edwards, Meghan, J. D. Green, and W. W. Witt. 2010. Effect of herbicide application timing on spiny amaranth (Amaranthus spinosus) control in pastures. Abstracts, Weed Science Society of America

Omielan, J. and W. W. Witt. 2010. Control of bush honeysuckle with low volume foliar herbicide applications. Proc. North Central Weed Science Society. In press.

Tolson, J. A., J. D. Green, W. W. Witt and G. E. Aiken. 2010. Effect of pasture management strategies on forage quality. Proc. North Central Weed Science Society. In press.

Carter, Sara K., C.H. Slack and G. P. Murphy. 2010. Evaluation of dicamba tolerant soybeans in Kentucky: A three-year review. Abstracts, Weed Science Society of America.

Mackey, G. A., M. Edwards, J. D. Green and W. W. Witt. 2010. Sensitivity of soybean and tobacco to aminopyralid in soil. Proc. North Central Weed Science Society. In press.