Stalk Persistence of Interseeded Wheat and Rye Cover Crops Treated at Two Growth Stages and Six Rates of Glyphosate

Authors

  • J. W. Sij
  • B. L. S. Olson
  • J. P. Ott
  • T. A. Baughman

Keywords:

conservation tillage, cover crops, soil erosion, stalk persistence, glyphosate, seedling protection

Abstract

Cotton seedlings are easily damaged by wind and wind blown soil in the semiarid Southern Great Plains.  Cover crops offer protection to seedling cotton.  The 3-year study was conducted near Vernon, Texas to determine biomass persistence of chemically terminated wheat and rye cover crops following six application rates of glyphosate.   Treatments were applied at the boot or at the 50% heading stage of growth.  The amount of standing biomass at 0 to 1 ft, 1 to 2 ft, and > 2 ft was estimated 4 wks after application and expressed as a percentage of the total biomass or percent persistence.  Percent control or kill was also recorded.  A successful treatment was defined as >90% control and > 15% standing residue above 1 ft.  Results indicate that rye and wheat provided acceptable stubble persistence when terminated with at least 0.38 lb ai/ac glyphosate at 50% heading.  Higher application rates of glyphosate did not increase control (> 90% kill) of the cover crop, were less cost effective, and resulted in decreased stalk persistence.  Observations on early plant development, increased biomass, stand establishment under adverse environments, and seedling survival under cold, wet conditions favor rye as the cover crop of choice in semiarid environments.

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Published

2016-05-04

How to Cite

Sij, J. W., Olson, B. L. S., Ott, J. P., & Baughman, T. A. (2016). Stalk Persistence of Interseeded Wheat and Rye Cover Crops Treated at Two Growth Stages and Six Rates of Glyphosate. Texas Journal of Agriculture and Natural Resources, 19, 93–101. Retrieved from https://txjanr.agintexas.org/index.php/txjanr/article/view/115

Issue

Section

Research Articles