Effect of Row Spacing on Weed Control in Soybeans

Abstract

Field studies were conducted over a 2-year period at Urbana, Illinois, to evaluate soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr., var. Harosoy 63 and Wayne) and weed yields as influenced by row spacing, variety, weed control methods, and 2,3,5-triiodobenzoic acid (hereinafter referred to as TIBA). Soybean yield increased and weed yield decreased as row spacing was decreased. Compared to the yield from 40-inch rows, soybean yield increase was 10, 18, and 20% for 30, 20, and 10-inch rows, respectively. Both cultivation and applications of a,a,a-trifluoro-2,6-dinitro-N,N-dipropyl-p-toluidine (trifluralin) controlled annual grass weeds at all row spacings. Cultivation controlled broadleaf weeds at all row spacings. Some broadleaf weeds, unaffected by trifluralin, made sufficient growth to impair soybean yields in wide rows but not in narrow rows.