We are interested in natural/safer alternatives to atrazine, for control of pre- and post-emergence broadleaf weeds in large field-corn plots under irrigation.
Sir, i think plant space can also enhance usage of herbicide, tillage practices and the plant architecture of the corn, contribute majorly to emergence of weed in corn production.
Dear Omikunle,
Thank you for your message. You are correct. Yes, there is more to weed control than just using an alternative herbicide. It is helpful for us to think from the wider integrated perspective, as you suggest. Thank you for your time and suggestion.
Best,
Sam
Soil herbicides greatly depend on soil moisture and mechanical composition of the soil.They have a long persistence in the soil. Compliance with crop rotation and digging during vegetation significantly reduces weed infestation. In cereals (maize) fight is more complex with grass weeds. At any given time there are many herbicides base Sylfonylurea.
Dear Dina,
Thank you for the insights on factors that will influence our weed control. This is helpful in adding to how our weed control is managed. It is good to get a wider perspective such as yours. Thank you for your observations and time.
Best,
Sam
Do you want a long term or short term (1 season)? If You want a long term, you have to utilize a program based approach.
One component will be that of crop rotation with cover crops such as sunhemp (Crotolaria juncea) which combine both allelopathy and shading to suppress weed growth.
During the maize cropping season, make use mechanical tillage eg deedp tillage, followed by a series of inter row cultivation and manual weeding to control in-row weeds. Also make use of high density planting which control weeds by shading. Mke sure cultural practices such as fertilizer application are done in a weed free stand to minimize competition from the weeds.
I however encourage you not to depart entirely from herbicide technology because of its various advantages such as timeliness, cost effectiveness, effectiveness etc Good products include Bentazone, Topremazone, MCPA and many more....
Hi, thank you for the helpful ideas and suggestions. These would be good for us to consider as our program is developed. Our facility practices crop rotation and mostly conventional tillage practices and commercial herbicides.
I appreciate your time and great suggestions.
Best,
Sam
The most close alternative to atrazine is terbuthylazine. Similar spectrum of efficacy, but a little less mobile into the soil.
Tembotrione as POST is effective alternative which control broad spectrum of weeds in maize
Pyroxasulfone, saflufenacil, mesotrione and 2,4-D are some good options available for conventional weed control on corn.
You may want to consult a Weed Control Guidelines of your state.
If you're interested on testing products based on natural compounds, I've attached a publication with some examples you may want to look at.
Good luck on your research!
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0968089609000923
Thank you for the excellent suggestions.
By the way, I went to MSU for my BA and MS degrees. It's a very good university.
Go Dawgs!
-Sam Allen
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