Weed control and community composition in living mulch systems

Westbrook, Anna S.; Bhaskar, Vinay; DiTommaso, Antonio

doi:10.1111/wre.12511

Cited by 13 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 108 publications

(185 reference statements)

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“…The production of corn in LM systems can be a good strategy compared to purchasing feed for backgrounding or cow‐calf operations. Given the added benefit of LM in weed control (Westbrook et al., 2022), the potential decrease in herbicide use can account for further expense reductions.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Diversifying corn production systems with living mulches in the southeastern United States

et al. 2023

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Living mulch (LM) production systems are gaining traction as an alternative to the use of annual cover crops in the southeastern United States, warranting research on the viability and functionality of this system. Our objective was to evaluate the benefits of LM in corn silage and grain production and to evaluate the potential of LM grazing during the corn (Zea Mays L.) growing season. The experiment was conducted in Spring Hill, TN in 2020 and 2021 and consisted of two mulch species, white clover (WC) (Trifolium repens L.) and a mixture of crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum L.) and cereal rye (CCCR) (Secale cereale L.). Cull cows were used for the grazing periods (4 weeks before planting and after the harvest of corn). The study evaluated the botanical composition, mulch mass, nutritive value, corn silage and grain production, and cow average daily weight gain (ADG). The WC treatment had a greater weed control than CCCR. In 2020, when differences in mulch mass were observed, CCCR had greater mass than WC mass due to the weed presence.Meanwhile, in 2021, the mulch mass did not differ between WC and CCCR, with both treatments showing less mass in spring and early summer. Grain production was 30% less than silage in 2020 and 90% less in 2021. The ADG was only observed for WC (0.5 kg −1 ) paddocks. It was concluded that WC as LM has greater corn production than CCCR treatments. The LM for grazing is a beneficial strategy if feeding costs are greater than $2.22 head day −1 .

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Diversifying corn production systems with living mulches in the southeastern United States

et al. 2023

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“…Increasing crop planting density can be used to hasten canopy closure and facilitate mid-season shading (Mohler, 1996). Residue mulches (Brown and Gallandt, 2018;Wallace et al, 2018) or living mulches (Hartwig and Ammon, 2002;Westbrook et al, 2021) can provide further shading. Due to increased crop competition, late-emerging barnyardgrass and common lambsquarters had no effect on corn yield (Gołębiowska and Kieloch, 2016).…”

Section: Weeds With Mid-season Peak Emergencementioning

confidence: 99%

Improving Weed Management Based on the Timing of Emergence Peaks: A Case Study of Problematic Weeds in Northeast USA

Brown¹,

Gallandt²,

DiTommaso³

et al. 2022

Front. Agron.

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We reviewed the timing of the peak rate of emergence for 15 problematic weed species as well as ways to use this knowledge to improve control. Much of the previous literature modeled emergence based on growing-degree-days. For these models, we input average temperature data from several zones of Northeast USA. Within species, model-predicted peak emergence in the warmest and coolest zones differed by an average of 39 days. Also within species, there was some variation between models, likely reflecting different conditions in study locations and population-level differences that will need to be addressed in future modelling efforts. Summarizing both observed and modelled results, emergence typically peaked early-season for barnyardgrass, Canada thistle, common lambsquarters, common ragweed, giant foxtail, large crabgrass, perennial sowthistle, and smooth crabgrass. Emergence typically peaked mid-season for hairy galinsoga, mouseear chickweed, and red sorrel. Emergence typically peaked late-season for annual bluegrass. Several species emerged in a protracted manner, including common chickweed, quackgrass, and redroot pigweed. With this improved knowledge, farmers may target key problematic species of a particular field in several ways. Weed seedling control efforts can be timed at the highest densities or most vulnerable phenological stage. Residual herbicides and suppressive mulches can be timed to maximize effectiveness prior to their breakdown. And if management flexibility allows, crop selection and associated planting dates may be adjusted to improve crop competition or facilitate seedbank depletion through timely bare fallow periods. Such improvements to weed management based on timing of emergence will likely become even more impactful as predictive model reliability continues to improve.

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“…Although the difference between both decreased over time, the wheat-lucerne crop reached a maximal absorption (> 90%) in the wheat BBCH stage 32 (node 2 at least 2 cm above node 1), about 20 days earlier than the pure wheat crop. This restricted light access slows down the development of the weeds; moreover, the living mulch biomass changes the quality of the light (red/far-red ratio) affecting the germination of light-sensitive weed species (Petit et al 2018, Westbrook et al 2022.…”

Section: Weed Supressionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Hence, living mulch, even if it is a legume, can compete with the crop, decreasing crop yields to an extent that is equal to the weeds that are suppressed by the living mulch. Westbrook et al (2022) conclude that "It is relatively easy to suppress weeds with a living mulch but more difficult to do so without permitting excessive mulch-crop competition. "…”

Section: Weed Supressionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Using perennial plant varieties for use as living mulch for winter cereals. A review

Cougnon

Durand

Julier

et al. 2022

Agron. Sustain. Dev.

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Both from the environmental and economical perspective, reducing the use of mineral nitrogen and herbicides is one of the future challenges in cereal production. Growing winter cereals on perennial legume living mulch such as white clover (Trifolium repens L.) or lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) is one of several options to reduce the need for mineral nitrogen fertilizer and herbicides in winter cereal production. Given the importance of winter cereals in the world, adopting this technique could greatly improve the sustainability of crop production. Through competition with the crop however, the living mulch can negatively affect cereal yield. Here, we (i) review how living mulch can be introduced in the system, (ii) synthetize potential advantages and disadvantages of that system, and (iii) explore different strategies to control the competition between the crop and living mulch. The major findings are that (i) competition between cereals and mulch can lead to significant yield reductions if not controlled properly and (ii) perennial legume varieties used as living mulch so far are varieties bred for forage production. We hypothesize that a dedicated breeding program might lead to living mulch varieties with a smaller impact on cereal yield compared to forage varieties, allowing to grow cereals with reduced nitrogen and herbicide inputs. We propose the main characteristics of an ideotype for such a perennial legume variety.

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Weed control and community composition in living mulch systems

Cited by 13 publications

References 108 publications

Diversifying corn production systems with living mulches in the southeastern United States

Diversifying corn production systems with living mulches in the southeastern United States

Improving Weed Management Based on the Timing of Emergence Peaks: A Case Study of Problematic Weeds in Northeast USA

Using perennial plant varieties for use as living mulch for winter cereals. A review

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