Start Date
2-27-2003 1:15 PM
Description
The importance of weed control in forage production should not be overlooked, especially when you consider the high investment associated with alfalfa and other legume forages. Weed management strategies in forage legumes should first focus on cultural practices and then on chemical weed control options. Vigorous, densely growing forage legume stands tend to have fewer weed problems. Thus, cultural and management practices that promote a highly competitive forage stand help prevent many weed problems. These practices include: 1) liming and fertilizing fields based on soil test recommendations; 2) seeding well-adapted, vigorous, and long-lived varieties; 3) buying weed-free seed; 4) cutting forage at proper time intervals or growth stage; 5) timely control of insect and disease problems; and 6) rotating fields with other crops to interrupt the buildup of certain weeds.
Included in
Weed Management in Alfalfa
The importance of weed control in forage production should not be overlooked, especially when you consider the high investment associated with alfalfa and other legume forages. Weed management strategies in forage legumes should first focus on cultural practices and then on chemical weed control options. Vigorous, densely growing forage legume stands tend to have fewer weed problems. Thus, cultural and management practices that promote a highly competitive forage stand help prevent many weed problems. These practices include: 1) liming and fertilizing fields based on soil test recommendations; 2) seeding well-adapted, vigorous, and long-lived varieties; 3) buying weed-free seed; 4) cutting forage at proper time intervals or growth stage; 5) timely control of insect and disease problems; and 6) rotating fields with other crops to interrupt the buildup of certain weeds.