Influence of Tillage and Herbicides on Weed Control in a Wheat (Triticum aestivum)–Soybean (Glycine max) Rotation

Abstract

Field studies were conducted for 4 yr to investigate the effects of tillage and herbicide programs on weed control and wheat (Triticum aestivumL. ‘Potomac’ in 1981 and ‘Wheeler’ from 1982 to 1984) grain yields in a wheat-soy bean [Glycine max(L.) Merr.] double-crop rotation. Predominant weed species were common chickweed [Stellaria media(L.) Vill. # STEME], corn chamomile (Anthemis arvensisL. # ANTAR), and annual bluegrass (Poa annuaL. # POAAN) at the onset of research and cheat (Bromus secalinusL. # BROSE) and soft brome (Bromus mollisL. # BROMO) at the conclusion of the study. Control of all species was excellent with conventional tillage and no-till plus nonselective herbicides but was significantly less with no-till without nonselective herbicides and with minimum tillage. After 4 yr, maximum wheat grain yields were significantly higher in conventional- than in minimum- or no-till systems.