Critical Time
of Weed Removal in Glyphosate-Resistant Glycine max
Dawit Mulugeta and Chris
M. Boerboom
Field experiments were conducted
in 1996 and 1997 to determine the effect of the rate and time of
glyphosate application on weed emergence, survival, biomass, and
Glycine max yield in reduced-tillage (RT) and
no-tillage (NT) glyphosate-resistant G. max planted in
rows spaced 18 (narrow-row) and 76 cm (wide-row). Glyphosate was
applied at 0.42, 0.63, and 0.84 kg ae ha -1 at V2, V4, R1, and
R4 growth stages. On separate plots, 0.84 kg ha -1 glyphosate
was applied at each growth stage with hand weeding. A weed-free
check was maintained with preemergence imazethapyr plus
metolachlor supplemented with hand weeding, and a nontreated
check was included. Weed population density before glyphosate
application ranged from 239 to 606 plants m -2 in RT and 33 to
500 plants m -2 in NT systems. Setaria faberi and Chenopodium
album were the predominant species. Weed control efficacy
and crop yield were influenced more by application time than by
glyphosate rate. Glyphosate applied at V2, V4, and R1 gave
season-long control of weeds in 18-cm rows. In 76-cm rows,
glyphosate applied at V2, V4, and R1 gave almost complete
control of weeds, but broadleaf weeds emerged after application
at V2. The critical time of weed removal, the time beyond which
weed competition reduced G. max yield by 3% or more
compared to the weed-free check, was at R1 and V4 in 18-cm RT G.
max in 1996 and 1997, respectively, and at V2 in 76-cm RT G. max
in both years. The predicted critical time of weed
removal in 18- and 76-cm NT G. max was R1 and V4,
respectively, in 1996 and R1 in 1997. This research showed that
there was variation in the onset of the critical time of weed
removal between tillage systems, as well as within tillage
systems across years. The results indicate a single glyphosate
application can prevent yield loss in narrow-row, glyphosate-resistant
G. max under favorable conditions, but application timing
becomes more critical in wide rows because the critical period
of weed removal occurs earlier. Late-emerging weeds may warrant
a second glyphosate application in wide-row G. max.
Weed Science, 48:35-42. 2000 |