Allelopathic Potential of Winter Cereals and Their Cover Crop Mulch Effect on Grass Weed Suppression and Corn Development

Abstract

Field experiments were conducted to study the effect of three rye (Secale cereale L.) populations, six triticale (3Triticosecale Wittm.) cultivars, and two barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) cultivars, used as cover crops, on the emergence and growth of barnyardgrass [Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) P. Beauv.], bristly foxtail [Setaria verticillata (L.) P.Beauv.], and corn (Zea mays L.). Moreover, bioassay studies were conducted to assess allelopathic potential of the winter cereal extracts on both weed species and corn. All winter cereal extracts reduced barnyardgrass and bristly foxtail seed germination and growth, but none of them had any effect on corn. Bristly foxtail was affected more by all extracts than barnyardgrass, and growth of both weed species was reduced more by the extract of barley cultivar Athinaida. In field, 4 wk after corn planting, barnyardgrass and bristly foxtail emergence was reduced by 27 to 80% and 0 to 67%, respectively, in winter cereal mulched plots compared with that in winter cereal mulch-free plots. On the contrary, corn emergence was not affected by any cover crop mulch. At harvest, corn grain yield increased by 45% in no herbicide treated barley cultivar Athinaida mulched subplots as compared with that in respective mulch-free subplots. This corn yield in no herbicide treated Athinaida mulched subplots was similar with that obtained in respective herbicide-treated subplots. The results of this study suggest that some winter cereals such as barley cultivar Athinaida could be used as cover crop for annual grass weed suppression in corn and consequently to minimize herbicide applications. MATERIALS AND METHODS Laboratory Experiment Extract PreparationPlants of three rye populations originated from Albania, Germany, and Greece, as well as six triticale cultivars (Thisvi, K.

Benefits of Vetch and Rye Cover Crops to Sweet Corn under No‐Tillage

“…The better performance of rye on weed suppression was related to the soil coverage which was sustained until the sweet corn plants fully shade the ground. This is in agreement with reports that rye used as CC mulch effectively suppresses weed germination and establishment during commercial crops such as corn and cotton (Dhima et al, 2006; Vasilakoglou et al, 2006). There was no interaction between N‐fertilizer rates and CC treatments, as well as there was no effect of applied N rates on weed suppression (data not shown).…”

Benefits of Vetch and Rye Cover Crops to Sweet Corn under No‐Tillage

“…The better performance of rye on weed suppression was related to the soil coverage which was sustained until the sweet corn plants fully shade the ground. This is in agreement with reports that rye used as CC mulch effectively suppresses weed germination and establishment during commercial crops such as corn and cotton (Dhima et al, 2006; Vasilakoglou et al, 2006). There was no interaction between N‐fertilizer rates and CC treatments, as well as there was no effect of applied N rates on weed suppression (data not shown).…”

Allelopathic Potential of Winter Cereal Cover Crop Mulches on Grass Weed Suppression and Sugarbeet Development

“…The significant inhibition of barnyardgrass, bristly foxtail, and large crabgrass emergence and growth by the winter cereal cover crop mulches agrees with the results reported by Barnes and Putnam (1983), Weston (1990), Teasdale et al (1991), Reddy (2001), Nagabhushana et al (2001), Kobayashi et al (2004), and Dhima et al (2006) In particular, Barnes and Putnam (1983) and Weston (1990) found that cover crops such as rye, barley, and wheat reduced early season biomass of various weeds by 48 to 98%, compared with no cover crop controls. Teasdale et al (1991) also reported that carpetweed ( Mollugo verticillata L.) and common lambsquarters ( Chenopodium album L.) densities were suppressed by rye and hairy vetch ( Vicia villosa Roth) cover crop residues.…”

“…The different inhibition effect of winter cereal extracts on large crabgrass and sugarbeet germination and root length could be explained by the differences in amount and characteristics of physicochemicals, which possibly include allelochemicals produced by these winter cereals. Similar results were reported by Hanson et al (1981), Lemerle et al (1996), Burgos et al (1999), Chung et al (2001), and Dhima et al (2006), who worked with rye, barley, wheat, and rice ( Oryza sativa L.) extracts. Also, Peters and Zam (1981) found that various cultivars of tall fescue ( Festuca arundinacea Schreb.)…”

Oregano green manure for weed suppression in sustainable cotton and corn fields

“…In the oregano green manure‐free, weedy treatment, the cotton and corn yield was reduced by 67% and 16% (Figs 2,3), respectively, due to common purslane, barnyard grass, and bristly foxtail competition, agreeing with the results that were reported by Dhima et al . (2006; 2009) and Bosnic and Swanton (1997), who reported a significant yield reduction due to weed competition in the green manure‐ or mulch‐free weedy treatment.…”

Benefits of Vetch and Rye Cover Crops to Sweet Corn under No‐Tillage

“…The better performance of rye on weed suppression was related to the soil coverage which was sustained until the sweet corn plants fully shade the ground. This is in agreement with reports that rye used as CC mulch effectively suppresses weed germination and establishment during commercial crops such as corn and cotton (Dhima et al, 2006; Vasilakoglou et al, 2006). There was no interaction between N‐fertilizer rates and CC treatments, as well as there was no effect of applied N rates on weed suppression (data not shown).…”

Allelopathic Potential of Winter Cereal Cover Crop Mulches on Grass Weed Suppression and Sugarbeet Development

“…The significant inhibition of barnyardgrass, bristly foxtail, and large crabgrass emergence and growth by the winter cereal cover crop mulches agrees with the results reported by Barnes and Putnam (1983), Weston (1990), Teasdale et al (1991), Reddy (2001), Nagabhushana et al (2001), Kobayashi et al (2004), and Dhima et al (2006) In particular, Barnes and Putnam (1983) and Weston (1990) found that cover crops such as rye, barley, and wheat reduced early season biomass of various weeds by 48 to 98%, compared with no cover crop controls. Teasdale et al (1991) also reported that carpetweed ( Mollugo verticillata L.) and common lambsquarters ( Chenopodium album L.) densities were suppressed by rye and hairy vetch ( Vicia villosa Roth) cover crop residues.…”

“…The different inhibition effect of winter cereal extracts on large crabgrass and sugarbeet germination and root length could be explained by the differences in amount and characteristics of physicochemicals, which possibly include allelochemicals produced by these winter cereals. Similar results were reported by Hanson et al (1981), Lemerle et al (1996), Burgos et al (1999), Chung et al (2001), and Dhima et al (2006), who worked with rye, barley, wheat, and rice ( Oryza sativa L.) extracts. Also, Peters and Zam (1981) found that various cultivars of tall fescue ( Festuca arundinacea Schreb.)…”

Oregano green manure for weed suppression in sustainable cotton and corn fields

“…In the oregano green manure‐free, weedy treatment, the cotton and corn yield was reduced by 67% and 16% (Figs 2,3), respectively, due to common purslane, barnyard grass, and bristly foxtail competition, agreeing with the results that were reported by Dhima et al . (2006; 2009) and Bosnic and Swanton (1997), who reported a significant yield reduction due to weed competition in the green manure‐ or mulch‐free weedy treatment.…”

Benefits of Vetch and Rye Cover Crops to Sweet Corn under No‐Tillage

“…The better performance of rye on weed suppression was related to the soil coverage which was sustained until the sweet corn plants fully shade the ground. This is in agreement with reports that rye used as CC mulch effectively suppresses weed germination and establishment during commercial crops such as corn and cotton (Dhima et al, 2006; Vasilakoglou et al, 2006). There was no interaction between N‐fertilizer rates and CC treatments, as well as there was no effect of applied N rates on weed suppression (data not shown).…”

Allelopathic Potential of Winter Cereal Cover Crop Mulches on Grass Weed Suppression and Sugarbeet Development

“…The significant inhibition of barnyardgrass, bristly foxtail, and large crabgrass emergence and growth by the winter cereal cover crop mulches agrees with the results reported by Barnes and Putnam (1983), Weston (1990), Teasdale et al (1991), Reddy (2001), Nagabhushana et al (2001), Kobayashi et al (2004), and Dhima et al (2006) In particular, Barnes and Putnam (1983) and Weston (1990) found that cover crops such as rye, barley, and wheat reduced early season biomass of various weeds by 48 to 98%, compared with no cover crop controls. Teasdale et al (1991) also reported that carpetweed ( Mollugo verticillata L.) and common lambsquarters ( Chenopodium album L.) densities were suppressed by rye and hairy vetch ( Vicia villosa Roth) cover crop residues.…”

“…The different inhibition effect of winter cereal extracts on large crabgrass and sugarbeet germination and root length could be explained by the differences in amount and characteristics of physicochemicals, which possibly include allelochemicals produced by these winter cereals. Similar results were reported by Hanson et al (1981), Lemerle et al (1996), Burgos et al (1999), Chung et al (2001), and Dhima et al (2006), who worked with rye, barley, wheat, and rice ( Oryza sativa L.) extracts. Also, Peters and Zam (1981) found that various cultivars of tall fescue ( Festuca arundinacea Schreb.)…”

Oregano green manure for weed suppression in sustainable cotton and corn fields

“…In the oregano green manure‐free, weedy treatment, the cotton and corn yield was reduced by 67% and 16% (Figs 2,3), respectively, due to common purslane, barnyard grass, and bristly foxtail competition, agreeing with the results that were reported by Dhima et al . (2006; 2009) and Bosnic and Swanton (1997), who reported a significant yield reduction due to weed competition in the green manure‐ or mulch‐free weedy treatment.…”