Date Available

10-25-2019

Year of Publication

2019

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Document Type

Master's Thesis

College

Agriculture, Food and Environment

Department/School/Program

Plant and Soil Sciences

First Advisor

Dr. Erin Haramoto

Abstract

Horseweed (Conyza canadensis (L.) Cronq.) is prevalent in Kentucky and can be difficult to control. Research has shown multiple weed control methods to be more sustainable than relying on chemical control alone, so the use of multiple methods for horseweed management was examined in this study. The main objective was to determine best practice(s) to reduce horseweed prior to soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.]. Treatments included: fall-planted cover crop [CC; cereal rye (Secale cereale L.) or none], fall-applied herbicide (saflufenacil or none), and spring-applied herbicides (dicamba, 2,4-D ester, or none). We hypothesized horseweed densities would be reduced the most where all factors were combined. Saflufenacil suppressed horseweed densities from application through March, when densities increased due to a lack of competition from other winter weeds. Spring herbicides decreased horseweed densities until soybeans reached V1 in 2017, but in 2018 lost efficacy after CC termination. CC alone resulted in the longest horseweed suppression. The combination of spring herbicides and CC usually reduced horseweed densities to near zero between the CC termination and soybean planting. However, some low densities seen soon after soybean planting could be problematic. Further research must be conducted to determine the best integrated horseweed management system until soybean canopy closure.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

https://doi.org/10.13023/etd.2019.409

Funding Information

Kentucky Soybean Promotion Board

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