Weed Suppression in No-Till Alfalfa ( Medicago sativa ) by Prior Cropping of Summer-Annual Forage Grasses
1985; Cambridge University Press; Volume: 33; Issue: 4 Linguagem: Inglês
10.1017/s0043174500082710
ISSN1550-2759
AutoresD. Raymond Forney, Chester L. Foy, D. D. Wolf,
Tópico(s)Agronomic Practices and Intercropping Systems
ResumoA sorghum-sudangrass hybrid [ Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench. x Sorghum sudanense (P.) Stapf. ‘DEKALB SX17+’] (SSH) and foxtail millet [ Setaria italica (L.) Beauv.] (FM) were evaluated for their effects on weed populations when grown for forage and as land conditioners prior to late-summer, no-till planting of alfalfa ( Medicago sativa L. ‘Arc’). Both grasses established well in no-till situations, except for FM when excessive mulch impeded seed placement or seedling summer-annual weeds were not destroyed at planting time. SSH was the better competitor; after both were planted into a dense stand of seedling summer-annual weeds, SSH outyielded the weeds while FM did not. Both grasses suppressed weeds and enhanced subsequent alfalfa establishment. Obtaining adequate alfalfa stands was not a problem in no-till seedings: seedling populations often exceeded 300/m 2 3 to 6 weeks after planting. Lack of adequate weed control was associated with stand losses in which disease was also a factor. Biennial and perennial broadleaf species were the predominant weeds. Prior cropping of SSH or FM is a valuable option for growers wishing to establish alfalfa without tillage, particularly when summer forage is useful.
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