The Impact of Rye Cover Crops on Weed Populations in a Tomato Cropping System

Abstract

A reduced-till (RT) experiment determined the effect of rye seeding density and method of kill on rye biomass persistence, weed suppression, and tomato yield. ‘Wheeler’ rye was seeded at 56, 110, and 170 kg ha−1in the fall of 1988 and 1989 in Champaign, IL; Lexington, KY; and Lafayette, IN. One wk before transplanting tomatoes, rye was desiccated either by applying glyphosate at 1.1 kg ha−1and mowing (RT-glyphosate) or by mowing alone (RT-mowed). Both methods left rye residues on the soil surface as a mulch. Seeding density did not affect rye biomass, weed control, or tomato yield. Rye biomass differed depending on location and year, ranging from 320 to 1150 gm−2. Rye was completely killed by glyphosate, but regrew following mowing. RT-glyphosate suppressed weeds for 4 to 8 wk, which was similar to the suppression from conventional tillage (fall plowing with spring disking and harrowing) with trifluralin and metribuzin (CT-herbicide). Weed communities varied, but redroot pigweed and giant foxtail were present at all three locations. All treatments required supplemental weed management for commercially acceptable control. Except for IL in 1990, processing tomato yields (kg ha−1) in RT-glyphosate with hand-weeding were equal or better than yields in the CT treatments.

Impact of Cover Crop Management on Level of Weed Suppression: A Meta‐Analysis

“…However, the evaluated studies suggested that there could be confounding impact between the cover crop and its method of termination on weed suppression (Hoffman et al, 1993;Masiunas et al, 1995;Carrera et al, 2004). However, the evaluated studies suggested that there could be confounding impact between the cover crop and its method of termination on weed suppression (Hoffman et al, 1993;Masiunas et al, 1995;Carrera et al, 2004).…”

“…However, the evaluated studies suggested that there could be confounding impact between the cover crop and its method of termination on weed suppression (Hoffman et al, 1993;Masiunas et al, 1995;Carrera et al, 2004). For example, cereal rye and hairy vetch terminated by mowing resulted in regrowth of the cover crop a few days after termination, causing competition with the main crop and consequent yield reductions (Masiunas et al, 1995;Carrera et al, 2004). It is important to note that similar weed suppression reported with the termination method may not result in similar main crop yields.…”

“…Common cover crop termination methods, such as burndown by herbicide, disking, mowing, rolling, or undercutting by sweep-blade plow, had no differential impact on weed suppression caused by cover crops, based on assessment at 2 to 4 wk after termination of cover crops. However, the evaluated studies suggested that there could be confounding impact between the cover crop and its method of termination on weed suppression (Hoffman et al, 1993;Masiunas et al, 1995;Carrera et al, 2004). For example, the mowing method of termination resulted in less cover crop control and biomass but similar weed suppression to when the termination method was by rolling or herbicide burndown (Carrera et al, 2004), suggesting that weed suppression was not solely provided by the biomass of the cover crop residues but aided by the additional management practice.…”

Competitiveness of Three Leguminous Cover Crops with Yellow Nutsedge (Cyperus esculentus) and Smooth Pigweed (Amaranthus hybridus)

“…Cover crop use in cooler climates may slow soil warming and delay crop production (Abdul-Baki et al 1996;Hutchinson and McGiffen 2000;Knavel and Herron 1986;Masiunas et al 1995). Cover crops may also increase water use in areas with limited rainfall.…”

Influence of Cover Crops on Weed Management in Strip Tillage Peanut

“…Some cover crops, including cereal rye, have well-documented allelopathic properties (Kruidhof et al 2009;Putnam and Duke, 1978). In one study, cereal rye was the most suppressive cover crop used in a variety of cropping systems for early season broadleaf weeds (Nagabhushana et al 2001) and also provided significant suppression of weeds in transplanted tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) (Masiunas et al 1995). Both cereal rye and barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) have been shown to provide significant weed-suppressive traits in no-till corn (Zea mays L.) and soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.]…”