Ridge-Till, an Integrated Weed Management System

Abstract

Ridge-till is an integrated weed management system that involves the physical movement of soil containing weed seeds away from the row with ridge-clearing equipment on the planter. Corn, grain sorghum, and soybean are the major crops planted using the ridge-till system. Weeds can be controlled with cultivation, competitive row crops, and herbicides. Weeds have adapted to the system but have been controlled through alternative management. Through modernization of equipment and herbicides, ridge-till has become an economic crop production practice. Integrating cultivation and herbicides controls a broader spectrum of weeds than cultivation or herbicides alone.