Russian Thistle (Salsola iberica) and Kochia (Kochia scoparia) Control in Dryland Corn (Zea mays)

Abstract

Field studies were conducted in 1987, 1988, and 1989 at Lethbridge, Alberta to determine suitable herbicides for the control of Russian thistle and kochia in field corn grown in a dryland cropping system. Soil-applied atrazine or cyanazine provided inconsistent control of these weeds under dryland conditions. Combining inter-row tillage or 2,4-D applied postemergence with soil-applied atrazine improved the consistency of weed control over years. Postemergence atrazine and dicamba plus 2,4-D controlled Russian thistle and kochia in all years. Corn yields reflected the level of weed control attained with each treatment. The suitability of the various treatments for weed control in corn grown under dryland crop production systems is discussed.